Artisphere 2027

2027 marks the 23nd annual event for the top ranking Artisphere festival in Greenville, SC. Despite its short history, Artisphere has distinguished itself as both a regional and national highlight.  A supportive, art-loving community, beautiful setting, notable on-site artist amenities and hospitality, and over 500 volunteers make the three-day event an enjoyable experience for exhibiting artists and the public alike. Renowned artist hospitality includes complimentary daily meals, snacks & beverages, convenient set-up, parking, security, booth sitters, and reduced hotel rates.  Artisphere is a 501(c)(3) non-profit art organization.  Proceeds are used to produce the annual arts festival and are distributed back to local non-profit arts organizations as part of Artisphere's Volunteer Arts Partnership Program.

Established in 2005, Artisphere is a signature event on Greenville’s busy cultural calendar that draws both locals and art buying tourists to its dynamic downtown. Artisphere has been ranked a TOP 10 Fine Art and Fine Craft festival by the Art Fair Sourcebook and #1 USA Today’s Reader’s Choice Award for Best Art Festival. 

 

KEY DEADLINES
November 21-22 2026: Jury Review
December 12, 2026: Artist Notification
January 11, 2027:  Acceptance of Festival Participation and Booth Fees Due
February 26, 2027:  Final Date for Cancellation and Receipt of Refund
May 7-9, 2027:  Festival Dates

LOCATION
The Artisphere outdoor festival takes place in Downtown Greenville, SC on Main Street and throughout Falls Park on the Reedy River. Exhibitor booths are located along Main Street. 

Greenville is located among the Blue Ridge Mountains in the northwest corner of South Carolina, about halfway between Atlanta and Charlotte in one of the fastest growing areas of the country.

EVENT DATES AND TIMES
Limited Artist Check-In Thursday, May 6 TBD
Artist Check-In:  Friday, May 7 (6am – 11am)
Festival Hours:  Friday, May 7 (NOON – 8pm)
Saturday, May 8 (10am – 8pm)
Sunday, May 9 (11am – 6pm)
Artist Load-Out:  Sunday, May 9 (6pm – until)

ADVERTISING AND PROMOTION
Artisphere’s multi-media advertising campaign markets the festival throughout the Southeast region, in national travel and leisure publications, and regional radio & television ads.  Artisphere is also marketed through the festival’s social media platforms with support from the City of Greenville’s platform and VisitGreenvilleSC’s platform, the Artisphere website, festival brochures, and billboards.

AWARDS
$15,000 in prize money will be distributed at the festival.  Awards will be given to Best in Show, 1st Place 2D, 2nd Place 2D, 1st Place 3D, 2nd Place 3D, and four Awards of Excellence. All awards are distributed at the discretion of the onsite judges.  Artisphere jurors who are not exhibitors serve as on-site judges.  Awards are determined by consensus.  Award winners are invited to exhibit the following year and are exempt from jury.  Any non-juror awards (e.g. Media Awards, People’s Choice, etc.) are not exempt from jury.

JURY PROCESS
Each exhibiting artist must complete an online application with only one artist per entry, unless entering as a team in collaboration.  Artists may apply in more than one medium category, but a separate online application must be filled out for each category.  Each application must include a jury fee and its own set of images.  Artists applying in more than one medium category may repeat the booth image only.

An artist may be accepted in more than one category.  Multiple online applications must represent either work in different media categories or distinctly different work within the media category. If selected to exhibit, artist may only show work in the category in which they were accepted.

Five jurors and a representative from the Artisphere Board of Directors are selected to jury visual artist applications.  The jury consists of a range of experienced art professionals including, but not limited to, professors, gallery owners, museum administrators, and practicing visual artists.  Jurors are instructed to score ARTISTIC EXCELLENCE using the following criteria:  Artistic Merit, Technical Competence, Overall Quality of Work, and Booth Presentation.  

Artisphere uses Zapplication to administer its entire application and jury process.  Artist images are reviewed by the jury review panel in a blind jury process.  The identities of artists are not disclosed to jurors.  The jury panel is convened in the same room, each juror has access to a computer monitor for scoring purposes.  The jury review panel views the five (5) submitted images simultaneously, horizontally, grouped by medium category in the order that they were received (date submitted).  Artist statements are shared with jurors while images are viewed.  Please Note: This is a blind jury process, please do not submit booth images with any signage that could give away your identity. Please do not submit a booth image with you in it.

Applicants are asked to submit an artist statement of two hundred (200) characters or less to be read aloud by an Artisphere staff member during the jury review.  The artist statement should describe materials and technique rather than meaning behind the work or inspiration.  Jurors can see the statement so please do not personalize the information and be sure to check for spelling errors.

ABOUT OUR JURY PROCESS

Prior to arriving at the Jury Review jurors are required to preview all applications. Artisphere monitors juror activity on ZAPP to ensure homework is being done.

Applications are scored by medium category. Each category has several viewing rounds. 

Round One is done remotely. Each juror scores each applicant yes, no, or maybe. All applicants who score beneath a certain threshold are eliminated prior to in-person jurying. 

Round Two is done in person. Each artist’s set of images will be projected after which the jury will begin scoring on a laptop in front of them while the five submitted images are projected in front of them. Each juror will assign a score of 1-7 (no 4). As the set of images is projected, the Artist Statement is read aloud. 

Round Three comes after all applying artists have been scored. After Round Two, a threshold score is determined, and all artists scoring under the threshold are removed. The artists remaining are first viewed again in a complete overview. We then go back to the beginning and display each artist’s set of five images. Each set of images is discussed and scored by the jury.

The jury uses the following standards to guide their decision:

• The jury will view each artist’s set of five images. One of the five images shall be an actual image of the artist's booth showing the body of work. The images will be projected in one row, simultaneously.
• The ideal work will reflect excellence.
• The work will be well conceived and expertly executed.
•  The work will show an identity of design.
•  All work must be original and made by the hand of the applying artist.
• Artwork is considered solely on the merit of the work pictured. This and the submitted Artist Statement will be the only criteria considered. (See below regarding Artist Statement).
•  The work will be professionally and creatively presented. The better the image presented, the better your opportunity for a higher score.
• The work presented for jury will be representative of the artist’s body of work. If the work has not been created in the last four years, do not submit the image.

All applications from professional artists must submit an authentic booth image (that is, an actual photo/image of your booth with display).

• Booth images may not be created in a computer program or manipulated, enhanced or otherwise affected by a computer in any way.
• Booth images may not contain the artist name, company name or any other affiliation; artists may use Photoshop techniques ONLY to remove the name(s). 
•  The booth image must include the entire booth, not a portion.

Please Note:  The booth image shows the jury your body of work, provides dimension and scale, a sense of artistic and creative presentation, and reflects what your booth will look like at the show in May.  It will also report to the jury if the work submitted in the individual images reflects your current style and overall body of work. 

Artisphere will invite between 135-150 of the highest scoring artists to exhibit in the show. A Wait List will be established by medium category based on jury scores.  Images from Accepted and Wait Listed artists will be retained for promotion.

EMERGING SOUTH CAROLINA FESTIVAL ARTIST SCHOLARSHIP
An Emerging Festival Artist must have a solid body of work, completed in the last two years.  An Emerging Festival Artist Scholarship applicant, while having a developed and cohesive body of work, should not currently be earning a living as a festival exhibitor.  This scholarship should be viewed as an opportunity to start a professional career as a festival exhibitor.  Only applicants living in South Carolina will be eligible.  Emerging Festival Artist applicants should apply only in the Emerging Festival Artist medium category.

Recipients of the Emerging Festival Artist Scholarship will attend a workshop with professional working artists and will be given free booth space and use of display screens during the Artisphere festival.  Recipients will also receive a booth image photographed by Artisphere photographer.  

To apply for the Emerging Festival Artist Scholarship:  please submit five images of work (no booth image is required for Emerging Festival Artist applicants. However, you are welcome to submit a booth image to show scale of work if preferable).  *Emerging Festival Artists are asked to apply with 5 images work instead of 4 images of work and a booth image.  When uploading your images, you will upload the fifth image of your work by checking the box for "Booth Shot" beneath the fifth image in your application.  Select "Emerging Festival Artist" for your medium category. * Images must represent your current work, completed within the last two years.  Emerging Festival Artist applicants must also submit a resume, short bio and an artist statement of 300 words or less.  Support materials should be emailed to Robin@artisphere.org.  Emerging Festival Artist applications and support materials are due on or before October 9, 2026. 

2026 JURORS
Greg Belz: Executive Director, Art Worth, Fort Worth, TX
Zen Cohen: Artist and Assistant Professor, Clemson University, Greenville, SC
Meredith Green: Artisphere Board of Directors, Visual Arts Chair 2027-2029, Greenville, SC
Signe Grushovenko: Artisphere 2026 Best in Show Award Winner, Greenville, SC
Leandra Hill: Owner and Jewelry Designer, Leandra Hill Metalworks, Greenville, SC
Kelly McSharry: Artisphere Board of Directors, Visual Arts Chair 2025-2027, Greenville, SC
Tracy Midulla: Founder/ Director at Tempus Projects, Tampa, FL

IMAGES/BOOTH IMAGE

Images #1 - 4 must represent the complete range of work that you plan to show.  Image #5 must be your booth with your work displayed.  Your application will not be considered without a booth image.  The booth image shows the jury your body of work, provides dimension and scale, and shows overall continuity and presentation of your current body of work.

MEDIA CATEGORIES

Ceramics:  Original clay work.  No machine made or mass-produced work is accepted.  If multiple pieces of the same design are displayed each piece must be signed.
Digital Art:  Any original work for which the original image, or the manipulation of other source material, was executed by the artist using a computer.  Work in this category must be in limited editions, signed and numbered on archival quality materials.  Traditional photographs taken with digital media should apply in the photography category. (Limited edition of 250 max.)
Drawing:  Original work created using dry media including pen, pencil, charcoal, pastel, or chalk or from the fluid medium of inks and washes applied by pen or brush.
Fiber:  Original work of primarily fiber including soft sculpture, batik, or painted fabric intended to be wearable or decorative.  No factory produced wearable items, regardless of additional modification or enhancement by the artist, may be exhibited.
Furniture:  Decorative or functional furniture.
Glass:  Original work in which the primary material is glass.  No mass production accepted.
Jewelry/Precious:  Original work primarily made from materials using 14k gold, sterling silver and the use of precious stones and enamels.  No commercial casts, molds or production studio work is permitted.
Jewelry/Semi-Precious: Original work primarily made from precious and/or non-precious metals and other materials such as glass, ceramics, paper, fiber, wood, leather, polymer clay, semi-precious stones, etc.  No commercial casts, molds or production studio work is permitted.
Metalworks:  Original functional or sculptural and non-jewelry metal work.
Mixed Media (2D):  Original 2 dimensional works incorporating more than one material.
Mixed Media (3D):  Original 3 dimensional works incorporating more than one material.
Painting (Oil/Acrylic):  Original painted works made with oils or acrylics.
Painting (Watercolor):  Original painted works made with paint soluble in water.
Photography:  Includes all photographic prints made from the artist's original negative or digital image processing, which have been processed by the artist under his or her direct supervision.  Photographers are required to disclose both their creative and printing processes.  Work in this media category must be limited editions, signed and numbered on archival quality materials. (Limited edition of 250 max.)
Printmaking:  Prints hand pulled by artists from traditional methods, including etching, engraving, silkscreen, stone and plate lithography, linoleum block or woodcut, produced in signed and numbered limited editions (of 250 max) from an original image created by the artist. (Limited edition of 250 max.)
Sculpture:  Original non-functional, 3 dimensional work of any material.
Wood:  Original works in wood that are hand-tooled, turned, carved, or machine worked.
Emerging South Carolina Festival Artist:  Scholarship program applicants may not apply in any other medium category.  Please see the Emerging Festival Artist Scholarship description.

Artists must be present and must personally staff their exhibit space during the entire event.  No agents, dealers, or representatives may attend the event in place of the artist.  Each exhibiting artist must personally check in at registration and present photo identification. 

All work exhibited must be original, handcrafted work produced by the artist and may not be the result of work from commercial kits, molds, patterns, or plans.  The artist guarantees the accuracy of the description of the work presented and the authenticity of the work as their creation. Work must have been created in the last four years.
 
An Artist Statement explaining the process and materials used in exhibited works must be posted at the front of the booth by NOON on Friday, May 8 and must remain posted for the duration of the event.  The reproduction process must also be disclosed in this statement. 
 
Artists must exhibit work only in the media categories in which they are accepted.  For example, all jewelry must have been juried into the jewelry category.  The work exhibited must match the quality, category and body of work submitted in the application.   
 
Exhibitor agrees to open and close to the public at published festival hours.  Any artist closing their booth prior to the end of the festival will not be permitted to return the following day or in subsequent years.  Closing times are mandated by the City of Greenville Festival permit and must be strictly enforced.  Exhibitors who do not show and do not cancel will not be re-invited. Exhibitors who cancel within 48 hours of opening date of show will be asked not to apply for the following year’s show.

For the safety of our artists and patrons, no popup tents will be allowed on the festival site. Artists must have 40lb weights for each tent leg in the event of strong winds. If an artist neglects to bring substantial tent and weights, they may be fined and temporarily banned from applying to future festivals.

Per the City of Greenville Public Event Ordinance: No animals are allowed on the Festival site. Smoking  is strictly prohibitied within the festival site. No vendors, artists, or volunteers may consume alcohol while working on the festival site. 

2D REPRODUCTION POLICY
A reproduction is defined as any existing work of art (such as a painting, watercolor, drawing, photograph, etc.) that is copied by digital or photographic means and printed on an offset press, a serigraph press, or through a computer by means of an ink jet or electrostatic printer.  This definition includes giclees and reproductions with additional enhancement by the artist.

Limited editions, signed and numbered on the front of each piece (250 max), may be displayed in a single browse bin only.  Reproduction pieces must be clearly marked as a "Reproduction" or "Limited Edition Reproduction" on the front of each piece.  Reproductions may not be in the same browse bin as originals.  An explanation of the reproduction process must be included in the Artist Statement. No laser prints or color photocopies will be permitted.

ONLY ORIGINAL WORK MAY BE DISPLAYED ON BOOTH WALLS! If any artist is found to be in violation of this rule, they will be asked to leave the festival immediately without a refund. Future participation in the show may also be affected. NO EXCEPTIONS!

BOOTH FEES
Standard Booth Fee:  $600
Corner Booth Fee: $725
Double Booth Fee: $1,200
Electricity Fee:  $75 (limited amount of electricity available – first come, first served)

Artists who are selected by the jury panel and who accept the invitation to exhibit, must return the signed Artist Acceptance of Festival Participation Form and Booth Fees to Artisphere by January 11, 2027. Artist Acceptance of Festival Participation Forms will not be processed without inclusion of Booth Fees.

Artists who are selected by the jury panel and who accept the invitation to exhibit, must confirm acceptance and pay their booth fee by January 11, 2027. Booth refunds are available until February 26, 2027.