Orange Beach Festival of Art 2027

WE COMMUNICATE HEAVILY BY EMAIL.  MAKE SURE YOUR PROFILE IS UP TO DATE WITH CONTACT INFO. Any last minute WEATHER details will be sent to all accepted artists by email as we receive the information.  We use FB & Instagram to share show updates.  **NEW** AI policy noted below. Double booths available, but limited.
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• Voted "Best Art Festival in the Nation" by the readers of USA Today 2025 AND 2026!!!
• 2019, 2022 - 2024 "200 Best" Fine Art Show by Sunshine Artist Magazine
• 2019, 2020, 2021 "Best of Bama" Best Art Festival in State of Alabama by luxury magazine "ALABAMA"

The 53rd annual Orange Beach Festival of Art is a juried exhibition and sale of fine art hosted by the Coastal Arts Center of Orange Beach, Alabama. Our setting is both intimate and magnificent, set among stately oaks on beautiful Wolf Bay and offers spaces to only 90 fine artists. The event has become a regional attraction drawing over 15,000 visitors. The festival includes performing arts, gourmet coastal cuisine, a bayfront music stage, and a kids’ art alley. Our beautiful 10,000 sq. ft. waterfront gallery anchors the grounds for the festival. In addition to the stunning location, the artists' dinner of a low country seafood boil, attentive management, and prizes of $4,550 make this a truly special show. Be a part of our rich coastal history and enjoy a warm southern welcome!

• READ ALL SHOW DETAILS HERE...TWO MAJOR CHANGES HAVE BEEN MADE.
• **NEW** Load-in procedure will now require you to select a specific time to check-in.  This option will be sent to you only if you are invited to the show.  Watch for this requirement in your Invitation Letter.
• **NEW** AI POLICY:    We recognize that AI will be a part of our lives in the future.  We will be reviewing the changing landscape of this technology every year as it relates to the arts. For the 2027 show our policy is as follows.
  • No 100% AI created art will be allowed.
  • Many photographers and mulit-media artists use AI in some form for editing and creation.  If you use more than 20% of AI assistance in your work, you must acknowledge that in your application and label your presented work at the show as having been created with AI assistance.  
• MARK YOUR CALENDAR for the acceptance notification date of 11/19/26.  Double booths are VERY limited...it is first come, first served! There are no corner booths to purchase since there are multiple locations that create natural corners and space. You may request a corner spot but there is no guarantee you will be given that location.
• Our Friday afternoon set-up is convenient, offering direct load-in access to your tent space. Your tents will be set-up on the lawn at the edge of a paved center path.  
• A light breakfast is served on Saturday and Sunday morning in the yellow cottage next to main Gallery building.  An Artist Awards Dinner is held on Saturday night featuring our famous Gulf Coast seafood, at no extra expense to you.  Two seats per show artist, maximum.  
• An artist’s information letter explaining all these details will be sent in early February to all accepted artists who pay for and secure their space on time.  

Each year, our top three award winners are automatically invited back.  Applications are still required, but a $40 application coupon code for first place winners will be sent directly to those winners for use on ZAPP.  
Booth fees will still be required by January 8, 2027, payable through ZAPP.
2026 Top Winners were…
     Two-Dimensional 1^st Place:  Molly McGuire / Mixed Media
     Three-Dimensional 1^st Place:  John Cheer / Clay
     Best of Show: Sarah Cantor / Mixed Media
      
SHOW TYPE/SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS:  FINE arts only - no crafters please.  A variety of mediums are welcome but please carefully indicate your medium type.  Example:  If you make jewelry that uses both clay and metal, that is still jewelry and not Mixed Media.  Five (5) photos of your work and a booth photo are required.  If you have never had a booth in a show before, you must set up a sample booth display and send a photo.  FAILURE TO INCLUDE A BOOTH PICTURE WILL AUTOMATICALLY DISQUALIFY YOU.  We expect effort for your booth display -- not just a tent and tables.  It must be neat and professionally presented.

Application fees are non-refundable.  One application per artist.

Notification:  Invited artists will be notified by 5pm Thursday, November 19, 2026

Mediums:  Clay, Digital Media, Folk Art, Glass, Graphics/Illustration/Pencil, Jewelry, Leather, Metal, Mixed Media, Painting Oil & Acrylic, Painting Watercolor, Paper,  Photography, Sculpture, Textile/Fiber, Wood.

- NO electricity is available - 
 
EVENT DATES/TIMES:  
March 13 ~ 10:00-5:00
March 14 ~ 10:00-4:00 pm….We close early on Sunday to allow time for packing up.  NO early booth closings or departures are allowed.
 
CHECK IN/SET UP:    
Friday March 12, beginning at 12:00 pm (if you have an unforseen delay and must load-in after 6pm, please contact the show Director so that Security can be informed.)
**INVITED ARTISTS WILL RECEIVE A LETTER AND CHECK-IN TIME OPTION.  Times will be 12:00, 2:00 AND 4:00**
Saturday March 13, 6:00 am – 8:45 am (no vehicles on grounds after 8:45am)

NO EARLY SET-UP.  WE ARE A PLACE OF BUSINESS AND A PUBLIC PARK.  LOAD-IN WILL NOT BE ALLOWED BEFORE 12:00 p.m.  You will be able to drive right up to your booth spot for load-in.
IF YOU SEE TENTS ALREADY SET UP THOSE ARE ARTISTS HELPING US WITH THE EVENT.
    
**Artist check-in is at the pavilions in front of the children's playground.**
- EVENT IS RAIN OR SHINE.  NO SATURDAY LATE SET-UPS ALLOWED, REGARDLESS OF WEATHER.

BREAK DOWN:   We close early on Sunday at 4:00 to allow break down time.  No early booth closures allowed!
*NEW*....You will be required to pay your City of OB taxes on-site before you can get a load-out pass. County and State payment forms will be in your artist packet for payment after the show.

You will be issued a vehicle load-out pass upon 90% breakdown of your booth and proof of city tax payment.
 
PARKING:  Parking locations will be sent to you with the final info letter in early February after all artists are confirmed. There are limited spots nearby for trailers and RV's, but all parking is currently within a very short walk.  If further off-site parking becomes necessary, a shuttle will be provided at beginning and end of day.

SECURITY:  The show employs on-site security at night on both Friday and Saturday night.

Booth tents must be 10x10, but we provide at least 12'x12' spacing for ease of set-up.  No large tent stakes allowed - please bring weights and be prepared for inclement weather. Bring an outdoor carpet for damp grass possibilities in your booth.

Booth presentation is important!  Tent top can be any color but prefer white.  Your tables, shelving and display racks/walls need to be professionally presented.  Artists with unprofessional looking booths will not be invited back.  

Booth fees are $325.  All fees for accepted artists are due by January 8, 2027 and only payable by credit card through ZAPP.
There are no corner booth fees.  Tents have been spaced out to allow extra room for all.  Limited double booths available and can be purchased upon receipt of invitation on November 19..  First come, first served.  A few are available that go 20' deep x 12' wide.
 

CANCELLATION/REFUND POLICY:  Cancellations must be submitted in writing to the show Director, Desiree Blackwell at dhodge@orangebeachal.gov.  Booth fees will be refunded, less $75, prior to February 3, 2027.
No refunds after 2/2/2027.