Fairs/Festivals
Smoky Hill River Festival 2027
Contact Information
Requirement Overview
- Eligible Applicant Types: Artist
- Emerging Artists: Emerging artists may apply.
- Submission Limit: 3
Media Requirements
- Images | Min: 6, Max: 6
- Total | Max: 6
Opportunity Summary
The Smoky Hill River Festival is an annual outdoor event, celebrating its 51st year in historical Oakdale Park in Salina, KS. The Festival features roving acts, three stages for musical performances, a children's area, over 30 food vendors, interactive art activities for all ages, and art installations throughout the park with approximately 130 exhibiting and demonstration artists. Festival attendance draws around 50,000 people over the weekend.
The show presents an exceptional collection of original fine arts and crafts, and an onsite jury determines over $9,000 in awards. Both new and returning applicants are reminded to pay close attention to show updates and maps for changes. As the park grounds undergo exciting transformations and upgrades, incremental changes will be made across the entire event as we continue to offer the most unique arts festival experience in Kansas. We ask for your patience and grace through the process. Staff and volunteers will continue offering high customer service and hospitality as part of a long Smoky Hill River Festival tradition.
We strive to curate a well-balanced show that features a diverse range of media, price points, and aesthetic styles, encompassing contemporary fine art, fine craft, and traditional crafts. We welcome artists in all media, including those who explore new technologies, challenge conventional art practices, and offer unique perspectives through their studio work.
The show presents an exceptional collection of original fine arts and crafts, and an onsite jury determines over $9,000 in awards. Both new and returning applicants are reminded to pay close attention to show updates and maps for changes. As the park grounds undergo exciting transformations and upgrades, incremental changes will be made across the entire event as we continue to offer the most unique arts festival experience in Kansas. We ask for your patience and grace through the process. Staff and volunteers will continue offering high customer service and hospitality as part of a long Smoky Hill River Festival tradition.
We strive to curate a well-balanced show that features a diverse range of media, price points, and aesthetic styles, encompassing contemporary fine art, fine craft, and traditional crafts. We welcome artists in all media, including those who explore new technologies, challenge conventional art practices, and offer unique perspectives through their studio work.
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General Information
Application Timeline:
September 3, 2026 Applications OPEN, Early Bird Pricing through October 7
($35 Non-Refundable Application Fee)
October 7, 2026 Early Bird Pricing Ends
Special Invite Confirmation + Booth Fees Due
October 8, 2026 Regular Pricing Period Begins ($45 Non-Refundable Application Fee)
December 13, 2026 Applications CLOSED
NO BOOTH REFUNDS FOR SPECIAL INVITES & 2026 AWARD WINNERS
Jan. 14 - Jan 18, 2027 Blind Jury Process
February 11, 2027 Jury Notifications Sent (via ZAPP email)
February 25, 2027 Confirmation + Booth Fees Due
March 11, 2027 Booth Notifications
March 31, 2027 NO BOOTH FEES WILL BE REFUNDED AFTER MARCH 31, 2027
Exhibiting schedule:
Thursday, June 10, 9 am-4 pm Set up/Art Show load-in:
Friday, June 11, 9-10 am: Artists’ booths open for exclusive Patron Preview shopping
10 am-7 pm: Festival and art show open to the public
Saturday, June 12, 10 am-7 pm: Art show open to the public
Sunday Morning, June 13: Artists’ breakfast on-site (no need to register)
10 am-4 pm: Art show open to the public
What to expect:
Awards
Over $11,000 in cash awards are given, determined by an on-site jury. This also includes the $2,000 for the Purchase Partner Program. Awardees are also granted an automatic invite back the following year.
Artists who receive either of the top two namesake awards will not be eligible for these awards for two following active exhibiting years.
Exceptions to the Jury process and/or fees:
Contingency Plans
The Festival is an outdoor show, and exhibitors will be in Oakdale Park, rain or shine. Safety is a priority for all, and safety, weather, and evacuation plans will be included in artists' packets and made available on-site. Artists are encouraged to sign up for alerts through our local monitoring systems to stay up to speed during the event.
Mailing Address
Smoky Hill River Festival
211 W. Iron Ave
PO Box 2181
Salina, KS 67401
Further Information
Salina
785-309-5770
E-Mail: sah@salina.org
Website: riverfestival.com
FB: https://www.facebook.com/SHRiverFestival/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smokyhillriverfestival/
September 3, 2026 Applications OPEN, Early Bird Pricing through October 7
($35 Non-Refundable Application Fee)
October 7, 2026 Early Bird Pricing Ends
Special Invite Confirmation + Booth Fees Due
October 8, 2026 Regular Pricing Period Begins ($45 Non-Refundable Application Fee)
December 13, 2026 Applications CLOSED
NO BOOTH REFUNDS FOR SPECIAL INVITES & 2026 AWARD WINNERS
Jan. 14 - Jan 18, 2027 Blind Jury Process
February 11, 2027 Jury Notifications Sent (via ZAPP email)
February 25, 2027 Confirmation + Booth Fees Due
March 11, 2027 Booth Notifications
March 31, 2027 NO BOOTH FEES WILL BE REFUNDED AFTER MARCH 31, 2027
Exhibiting schedule:
Thursday, June 10, 9 am-4 pm Set up/Art Show load-in:
Friday, June 11, 9-10 am: Artists’ booths open for exclusive Patron Preview shopping
10 am-7 pm: Festival and art show open to the public
Saturday, June 12, 10 am-7 pm: Art show open to the public
Sunday Morning, June 13: Artists’ breakfast on-site (no need to register)
10 am-4 pm: Art show open to the public
What to expect:
- Over $9,000 in cash awards
- $2,000 of original art purchased for the City of Salina Community Collection
- A committed community of art patrons
- Approximately $400,000 in artwork purchased each year
- Unmatched hospitality
- Approximately 50,000 gate count
- Exclusive Thursday night party for Artists & Patrons to mingle (Don’t forget to RSVP) Artist + 1
- Private early patron shopping
- Onsite Parking
- Professional show organization & management
- Assistance with load-in and load-out available
- Over $50,000 is spent every year on extensive statewide and regional marketing.
- 24-hour security & On-site weather tracking
- Hotel discounts with participating hotels
- Purchase Partner Program — Each year, in addition to the cash prizes, the City commits to spending $2,000 on original festival art purchases. A local non-profit organization is chosen to shop the art show and choose original works that are added to the permanent city collection. All artwork is hung in a publicly accessible area. Since the program's inception in 2015, the city has accumulated over 300 items in its festival collection.
- First Treasures — A program created in 2001 to grow young art patrons, First Treasures offers a unique shopping experience for children ages 4-11. Festival artists can donate or offer work on consignment to the program. Children shop in the First Treasures tent for a work of art, all priced between $1 and $5. Without the watchful eye of a parent or guardian, they can choose art THEY love with the help of an FT guide. After their purchase, they are given a map and encouraged to find their artist in the show to make a lasting connection. *NO child is turned away because of lack of ability to pay.
- Patron Program — The Smoky Hill River Festival Art Patron Program was created over 30 years ago to support the festival artists through dedicated funds pledged to purchase artwork during the show. The program encourages meaningful one-to-one connections between artists and patrons during an exclusive Thursday kick-off party and early shopping access on Friday morning.
Awards
Over $11,000 in cash awards are given, determined by an on-site jury. This also includes the $2,000 for the Purchase Partner Program. Awardees are also granted an automatic invite back the following year.
Artists who receive either of the top two namesake awards will not be eligible for these awards for two following active exhibiting years.
- 2026 Award winners
- Kristen Haug, SD – “Martha Rhea Award of Distinction”
- Kris Kratz, NE – “Marie Chapman Award of Distinction”
- Hannah Gebhart, IA
- Noah & Greg Gowen, NM
- Jen Foster, KS
- Greg Bloxom, OK
- Matthew Jarmer, KS
- Madeline Dillner, OK
- Ryan Beckman, AZ
- Gena Kearn, KS
- Jill Calvert, MO
- River Lovenstein, AR
- Chad Dykstra, SD
- 2026 Purchase Partner artists:
- Bear McLaughlin, CO
- Sharron Sudduth, OK
- Matthew Jarmer, KS
- Madeline Dillner, OK
Exceptions to the Jury process and/or fees:
- Demonstration artists- *by invitation only, not eligible for cash awards
- 2026 Purchase Partner artist(s)
- 2026 Award winners
- Director’s Invites
Contingency Plans
The Festival is an outdoor show, and exhibitors will be in Oakdale Park, rain or shine. Safety is a priority for all, and safety, weather, and evacuation plans will be included in artists' packets and made available on-site. Artists are encouraged to sign up for alerts through our local monitoring systems to stay up to speed during the event.
Mailing Address
Smoky Hill River Festival
211 W. Iron Ave
PO Box 2181
Salina, KS 67401
Further Information
785-309-5770
E-Mail: sah@salina.org
Website: riverfestival.com
FB: https://www.facebook.com/SHRiverFestival/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smokyhillriverfestival/
Application Requirements
Requirements
All artists’ booths must be displayed and hung with original work in the medium, style, and quality of the submitted images in their application. All artwork exhibited must be available for sale.
All work must be original, designed, and executed by the accepted artist. Work created in production studios is not eligible, and a stand-in or proxy exhibitor is not permitted. Artists must participate in person to be eligible for an exhibiting space.
If artists collaborate, it is regarded as a joint (one) entry. If accepted, they may exhibit only the work that is a collaboration, and the collaborative signature must appear on all materials exhibited.
Categories
While we value a balanced show with equitable media representation, no established quotas exist in any category. Still, we try to limit any media's overabundance to the best of our ability, both for a diverse shopping experience for patrons and a fruitful one for you, the artist.
Please review the medium categories described below to find the best fit for your work. Artists may submit up to three separate applications in different media categories.
*If you are a jewelry artist, no matter what material you work in, you will be considered in the jewelry category.
Ceramics: Only original clay and porcelain. Both utilitarian and non-functional work are accepted other than jewelry. No machine-made or mass-produced work is allowed. Each piece must be signed if multiple pieces of the same design are displayed.
Digital: Original image or manipulation of other source material created by the artist using a computer. Work must be in limited editions, signed and numbered on archival-quality materials. Photography taking traditional photographs through digital media should apply in the photography category. Work generated by Artificial Intelligence is prohibited.
Drawing: Works created using dry media, including chalk, charcoal, pastels, pencil, wax crayon, etc., or from the fluid medium of inks and washes applied by pen or brush, are to be entered in this category.
Fiber: All work crafted from fibers, including embroidery, weaving, basketry tapestry, leatherwork, and papermaking. This can be wearable or non-wearable. No machine tooling, machine-screened patterns, or other forms of mass production are permitted. No factory-produced wearable items may be exhibited.
Glass: No forms of mass-produced works are permitted. Original handmade glass works only.
Jewelry: Work produced from metal, glass, clay, fiber, paper, plastic, or other materials must be entered into this category. The artist must make all parts of the work. No commercial casts, molds, production studio, or assembled work is allowed.
Metal: Includes all non-sculptural, non-jewelry works crafted from metals. No production studio work is allowed.
Mixed Media: This category includes works, both two and 3-dimensional, that incorporate more than one type of physical material to produce. Includes non-sculptural work as determined by the artist.
Painting: Works created in oils, acrylics, watercolor, etc., are in this category. *See Reproduction Policy
Photography: Original traditional film, hand-colored images, emulsion transfers, and digitally captured images that have not been excessively manipulated. Photographs must be signed, numbered, and printed by the photographer or under the photographer’s supervision. Photographers are required to disclose both their creative and printing processes.
Printmaking: Printed works for which the artist's hand manipulated the plates, stones, or screens that have been properly signed and numbered as a limited edition may be entered in this category. Printmakers are required to disclose both their creative and printmaking processes.
Sculpture: Three-dimensional original work done in any medium.
Wood: Original works in wood that are hand-tooled, machine-worked, turned, or carved are accepted, including primarily utilitarian works in this category. Furniture makers should apply in that category for this distinction.
Furniture: All furniture must be handcrafted by the applying artist.
Traditional Craft: All works must be handcrafted by the applying artist; mediums may include scrimshaw, lace making, candle making, etc. All soaps/herbals should apply under this category. *Traditional crafts will not be considered for cash prizes.
Value-added products are NOT accepted: Any raw agricultural product modified or enhanced to have a higher market value and/or a longer shelf life. Some examples include fruits made into pies, jam, and wine; meats made into jerky; and tomatoes and peppers made into salsa.
Reproduction Policy
High-quality reproductions of two and three-dimensional originals are allowed but must be signed and numbered by the Artist, in addition to the original works. Artists must define “reproduction” or “limited edition” through their Artist Statement, and each piece must be clearly and individually labeled as “reproduction,” signed, and numbered appropriately.
Reproductions and limited editions may be shown in a portfolio and may not occupy wall space alongside originals in the artist’s booth.
Reproduction Work Signage
Pricing information for reproduction works may only be displayed directly on or within the reproduction bin itself. Signage for reproduction works should clearly differentiate them from original pieces and should not encroach upon areas designated for original artworks.
Images
Artists should submit six images total, including one detail and one outdoor booth shot that indicates the Artist’s festival booth presentation.
Application
Your application fee will be processed online through Zapplication. Upon acceptance notices being sent, the booth and optional electrical fees will also be submitted online through Zapplication.
Artist Selection & Jury Process
We strive to curate a well-balanced show that features a diverse range of media, price points, and aesthetic styles, encompassing contemporary fine art, fine craft, and traditional crafts. The Smoky Hill River Festival employs a new panel of five professionals as the jury each year. We welcome artists in all media, including those who explore new technologies, challenge conventional art practices, and offer unique perspectives through their studio work.
The juror panel reviews each applicant's work online and then determines cash awards with a second round of jurying on-site on Friday, June 12. Jurors are chosen to represent a balanced breadth of artwork, keeping art patrons coming back. Jurors may leave comments on applications, and we can share them upon request, but we do not require jurors to comment and cannot guarantee comments for artists.
The work will be juried based on the quality of craftsmanship and innovation, evidence of personal imagination and originality, and the use of quality materials. We try to limit the number of artists accepted per category to offer patrons a diverse and balanced shopping experience.
Wait List - A score-based waiting list is maintained in each medium. To maintain a well-balanced show, priority is given to artists in the same or similar medium as the canceled applicant’s medium.
All artists’ booths must be displayed and hung with original work in the medium, style, and quality of the submitted images in their application. All artwork exhibited must be available for sale.
All work must be original, designed, and executed by the accepted artist. Work created in production studios is not eligible, and a stand-in or proxy exhibitor is not permitted. Artists must participate in person to be eligible for an exhibiting space.
If artists collaborate, it is regarded as a joint (one) entry. If accepted, they may exhibit only the work that is a collaboration, and the collaborative signature must appear on all materials exhibited.
Categories
While we value a balanced show with equitable media representation, no established quotas exist in any category. Still, we try to limit any media's overabundance to the best of our ability, both for a diverse shopping experience for patrons and a fruitful one for you, the artist.
Please review the medium categories described below to find the best fit for your work. Artists may submit up to three separate applications in different media categories.
*If you are a jewelry artist, no matter what material you work in, you will be considered in the jewelry category.
Ceramics: Only original clay and porcelain. Both utilitarian and non-functional work are accepted other than jewelry. No machine-made or mass-produced work is allowed. Each piece must be signed if multiple pieces of the same design are displayed.
Digital: Original image or manipulation of other source material created by the artist using a computer. Work must be in limited editions, signed and numbered on archival-quality materials. Photography taking traditional photographs through digital media should apply in the photography category. Work generated by Artificial Intelligence is prohibited.
Drawing: Works created using dry media, including chalk, charcoal, pastels, pencil, wax crayon, etc., or from the fluid medium of inks and washes applied by pen or brush, are to be entered in this category.
Fiber: All work crafted from fibers, including embroidery, weaving, basketry tapestry, leatherwork, and papermaking. This can be wearable or non-wearable. No machine tooling, machine-screened patterns, or other forms of mass production are permitted. No factory-produced wearable items may be exhibited.
Glass: No forms of mass-produced works are permitted. Original handmade glass works only.
Jewelry: Work produced from metal, glass, clay, fiber, paper, plastic, or other materials must be entered into this category. The artist must make all parts of the work. No commercial casts, molds, production studio, or assembled work is allowed.
Metal: Includes all non-sculptural, non-jewelry works crafted from metals. No production studio work is allowed.
Mixed Media: This category includes works, both two and 3-dimensional, that incorporate more than one type of physical material to produce. Includes non-sculptural work as determined by the artist.
Painting: Works created in oils, acrylics, watercolor, etc., are in this category. *See Reproduction Policy
Photography: Original traditional film, hand-colored images, emulsion transfers, and digitally captured images that have not been excessively manipulated. Photographs must be signed, numbered, and printed by the photographer or under the photographer’s supervision. Photographers are required to disclose both their creative and printing processes.
Printmaking: Printed works for which the artist's hand manipulated the plates, stones, or screens that have been properly signed and numbered as a limited edition may be entered in this category. Printmakers are required to disclose both their creative and printmaking processes.
Sculpture: Three-dimensional original work done in any medium.
Wood: Original works in wood that are hand-tooled, machine-worked, turned, or carved are accepted, including primarily utilitarian works in this category. Furniture makers should apply in that category for this distinction.
Furniture: All furniture must be handcrafted by the applying artist.
Traditional Craft: All works must be handcrafted by the applying artist; mediums may include scrimshaw, lace making, candle making, etc. All soaps/herbals should apply under this category. *Traditional crafts will not be considered for cash prizes.
Value-added products are NOT accepted: Any raw agricultural product modified or enhanced to have a higher market value and/or a longer shelf life. Some examples include fruits made into pies, jam, and wine; meats made into jerky; and tomatoes and peppers made into salsa.
Reproduction Policy
High-quality reproductions of two and three-dimensional originals are allowed but must be signed and numbered by the Artist, in addition to the original works. Artists must define “reproduction” or “limited edition” through their Artist Statement, and each piece must be clearly and individually labeled as “reproduction,” signed, and numbered appropriately.
Reproductions and limited editions may be shown in a portfolio and may not occupy wall space alongside originals in the artist’s booth.
Reproduction Work Signage
Pricing information for reproduction works may only be displayed directly on or within the reproduction bin itself. Signage for reproduction works should clearly differentiate them from original pieces and should not encroach upon areas designated for original artworks.
Images
Artists should submit six images total, including one detail and one outdoor booth shot that indicates the Artist’s festival booth presentation.
Application
Your application fee will be processed online through Zapplication. Upon acceptance notices being sent, the booth and optional electrical fees will also be submitted online through Zapplication.
Artist Selection & Jury Process
We strive to curate a well-balanced show that features a diverse range of media, price points, and aesthetic styles, encompassing contemporary fine art, fine craft, and traditional crafts. The Smoky Hill River Festival employs a new panel of five professionals as the jury each year. We welcome artists in all media, including those who explore new technologies, challenge conventional art practices, and offer unique perspectives through their studio work.
The juror panel reviews each applicant's work online and then determines cash awards with a second round of jurying on-site on Friday, June 12. Jurors are chosen to represent a balanced breadth of artwork, keeping art patrons coming back. Jurors may leave comments on applications, and we can share them upon request, but we do not require jurors to comment and cannot guarantee comments for artists.
The work will be juried based on the quality of craftsmanship and innovation, evidence of personal imagination and originality, and the use of quality materials. We try to limit the number of artists accepted per category to offer patrons a diverse and balanced shopping experience.
Wait List - A score-based waiting list is maintained in each medium. To maintain a well-balanced show, priority is given to artists in the same or similar medium as the canceled applicant’s medium.
Jury Details
Average number of applications submitted each year
230
Average number of artists selected from the jury to participate in the event
120
Average number of exempt from jury artists who are invited to participate in the event
30
Booth Information
Fees
Application fee scale:
Early Bird Application Period / September 3, 2026 – October 7, 2026 / $35
Regular Application Period / October 8, 2026 - December 13, 2026 / $45
Single Booth fee - $325.00 (single space)
*Double Booths & Electricity may be requested but extremely limited and require approval before purchase
Electricity Fee - $35.00
Double booths – $650
(Invited Artists with completed agreements and paid fees will be considered first for double booths and electricity.) Any fees refunded that were charged on a credit card will have a credit card fee of up to 4% subtracted from the refund.
Exhibit Space
Application fee scale:
Early Bird Application Period / September 3, 2026 – October 7, 2026 / $35
Regular Application Period / October 8, 2026 - December 13, 2026 / $45
Single Booth fee - $325.00 (single space)
*Double Booths & Electricity may be requested but extremely limited and require approval before purchase
Electricity Fee - $35.00
Double booths – $650
(Invited Artists with completed agreements and paid fees will be considered first for double booths and electricity.) Any fees refunded that were charged on a credit card will have a credit card fee of up to 4% subtracted from the refund.
Exhibit Space
- Tent rentals are NOT available at this time.
- Exhibitors are provided with a 10’ x 10’ ground space.
- Double booths are extremely limited and must be pre-approved before purchase.
- The artist must provide a display system, including a canopy. Display units should be designed for outdoor use and capable of withstanding the elements.
- Weights of 50 lb. per tent leg & tie-downs are REQUIRED.
- Booths have limited space for storage outside of the alotted footprint.
- Presentation must be reasonably contained in the designated 10’ x 10’ area. Storage is limited. Close parking allows for convenient storage access.
Refund Policy
Refunds
APPLICATION FEES
Application (jury) fees are nonrefundable.
BOOTH FEES
Juried Artists must cancel on or before March 31, 2027 in order to receive a Booth Fee refund. Cancellations after March 31, 2027 will not receive a refund.
*Special Invites & Award winners- NO BOOTH FEE REFUND after December 13th.
APPLICATION FEES
Application (jury) fees are nonrefundable.
BOOTH FEES
Juried Artists must cancel on or before March 31, 2027 in order to receive a Booth Fee refund. Cancellations after March 31, 2027 will not receive a refund.
*Special Invites & Award winners- NO BOOTH FEE REFUND after December 13th.
Additional Fees
Early Bird Application Fee: $35
Booth Fee: $325
Double Booth Fee (difference): $325
Electricity Fee: $35