Fairs/Festivals
Art by the Falls - 43rd Annual - 2027
Contact Information
Requirement Overview
- Eligible Applicant Types: Artist
- Emerging Artists: Emerging artists may apply.
- Submission Limit: 1
Media Requirements
- Images | Min: 5, Max: 5
- Total | Max: 5
Opportunity Summary
Valley Art Center is proud to present the 43rd Annual Art by the Falls outdoor fine arts and contemporary crafts festival. This juried festival of 170+ artists draws 25,000+ patrons to Cleveland Metroparks Polo Field. Nestled in the heart of the Chagrin Valley, the Polo Field is centrally located to charming Chagrin Falls and easily accessed for art aficionados in the Cleveland area. Art by the Falls features over 170 fine artists and artisans drawn from across the country.
Artists will enjoy special hotel rates, onsite parking, booth site unload/load (weather dependent), dedicated booth zone for artists with physical disabilities, booth sitters, dedicated zone leaders, continental breakfast on show days and Artist’s party on Saturday night with complimentary dinner. Cash awards include Best of Show, First, Second and Third place in 2-D and 3-D art, and the Jan Jones Family Award.
Located in one of the most affluent suburbs in the Cleveland area, Chagrin Falls is known as an arts community with numerous arts organizations calling it home, including Valley Art Center, Chagrin Falls Little Theater (one of the oldest community theaters in the country), the Performing Arts Academy, Chagrin Falls Documentary Film Festival, Chagrin Symphony Orchestra, and numerous independent art galleries and working art studios. Beloved by the community, Valley Art Center is thrilled to present Art by the Falls to enrich and inspire the community through meaningful, immersive art experiences.
Artists will enjoy special hotel rates, onsite parking, booth site unload/load (weather dependent), dedicated booth zone for artists with physical disabilities, booth sitters, dedicated zone leaders, continental breakfast on show days and Artist’s party on Saturday night with complimentary dinner. Cash awards include Best of Show, First, Second and Third place in 2-D and 3-D art, and the Jan Jones Family Award.
Located in one of the most affluent suburbs in the Cleveland area, Chagrin Falls is known as an arts community with numerous arts organizations calling it home, including Valley Art Center, Chagrin Falls Little Theater (one of the oldest community theaters in the country), the Performing Arts Academy, Chagrin Falls Documentary Film Festival, Chagrin Symphony Orchestra, and numerous independent art galleries and working art studios. Beloved by the community, Valley Art Center is thrilled to present Art by the Falls to enrich and inspire the community through meaningful, immersive art experiences.
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General Information
Categories
Ceramics, Digital Media, Fiber/Textiles, Glass, Jewelry, Metal, Mixed Media/Other, Painting/Drawing, Photography, Wood – See Rules and Regulations for category descriptions.
Application Fee: $50
Application Process
All artists must apply to Art by the Falls 2027 through Zapplication. Four images must be submitted; three (3) different pieces representative of your body of work and one (1) booth image. The Art by the Falls jury is conducted by a panel of three experienced artists and industry professionals. Invitation to exhibit is based solely upon the quality of the work as illustrated in the submitted digital images.
Jurors & Jury Procedure
Josh Chefitz
Ken Maronowski
Megan Young
Booth Set-up
Friday, June 11, 2027 7:30am – 4:00pm
Booth load-in will be assigned staggered arrival times based on location and vehicle size.
Show Hours
Saturday, June 12, 2027 10am – 6pm
Sunday, June 13, 2027 10am – 4pm
Booth Cost
10x10: $375
10x15: $475
10x20: $575
Corner Booth: $200 additional – available at checkout.
Additional Information
Our Commitment
Valley Art Center is committed to authentically and intentionally reflecting the rich diversity of Northeast Ohio by doing the work of inclusivity through openness, broadened opportunities, continuous evaluation, and engaging supportive culture across all of its programming, activities, and actions. VAC promotes involvement and expanded access to arts opportunities regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, nationality, disability, appearance, geographic location, or professional level.
Ceramics, Digital Media, Fiber/Textiles, Glass, Jewelry, Metal, Mixed Media/Other, Painting/Drawing, Photography, Wood – See Rules and Regulations for category descriptions.
Application Fee: $50
Application Process
All artists must apply to Art by the Falls 2027 through Zapplication. Four images must be submitted; three (3) different pieces representative of your body of work and one (1) booth image. The Art by the Falls jury is conducted by a panel of three experienced artists and industry professionals. Invitation to exhibit is based solely upon the quality of the work as illustrated in the submitted digital images.
Jurors & Jury Procedure
- Jurors will review and score applications independently.
- Artists are scored by a different jury each year.
- Approximately 170 artists will be accepted and they will represent the top/highest scores in their respective mediums.
- Valley Art Center may limit the number of artists accepted in some categories to present a balanced show.
- Of highest importance is the creative vision of the applicant and the quality of the work. Artist certifies that all jury images submitted represent his/her original work. No buy/sell is permitted.
- Artist scores will not be released.
- Vacancies will be filled from the festival waitlist by the Valley Art Center Executive Director based upon jury scores and medium balance.
- Jurors will visit all booths in person during the festival and award Best of Show, 1st-3rd place in both 2D and 3D categories, the Jan Jones Family Award, and Honorable Mentions. More than $1,500 will be given in cash awards.
Josh Chefitz
Ken Maronowski
Megan Young
Booth Set-up
Friday, June 11, 2027 7:30am – 4:00pm
Booth load-in will be assigned staggered arrival times based on location and vehicle size.
Show Hours
Saturday, June 12, 2027 10am – 6pm
Sunday, June 13, 2027 10am – 4pm
Booth Cost
10x10: $375
10x15: $475
10x20: $575
Corner Booth: $200 additional – available at checkout.
Additional Information
- We are returning to the Cleveland Metroparks Polo field for the third year in a row! Use the address 3801 Chagrin River Road, Chagrin Falls, Ohio 44022 for directions.
- Each booth will be assigned a time for arrival on Friday to manage load-in traffic. Weather dependent, we intend to allow artists to park at their booth for unloading. Details will be provided in May along with booth assignments.
- Show management assigns all booths to ensure a cohesive flow and balance of mediums. Unless you have a physical disability, specific location requests cannot be honored. A limited number of corner booths are available for purchase at check out upon receiving show invitation.
- We have on-site artist parking at the Polo Field! After you unload at your booth (weather permitting), you must move your vehicle to the south parking lot to allow other artists access to their booths.
- You are responsible for your own setup.
- Booth sitters are provided by VAC volunteers.
- Overnight security will be provided Friday and Saturday night. Valley Art Center does not assume any responsibility for loss due to theft or damage.
- 10+ food trucks will be onsite during festival.
- Complimentary coffee and continental breakfast will be provided Saturday and Sunday mornings. Artist party with pizza dinner will be held Saturday night, RSVP required.
- Estimated attendance is 25,000-30,000.
- Artists are encouraged to demonstrate their work within their tent.
- Dogs are not permitted within the artist areas.
Our Commitment
Valley Art Center is committed to authentically and intentionally reflecting the rich diversity of Northeast Ohio by doing the work of inclusivity through openness, broadened opportunities, continuous evaluation, and engaging supportive culture across all of its programming, activities, and actions. VAC promotes involvement and expanded access to arts opportunities regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, nationality, disability, appearance, geographic location, or professional level.
Application Requirements
Terms of Entry
1. All work MUST be the original work of the artist and all work must be for sale.
2. All work must be designed and executed by the accepted artist, who is required to be present at the festival for both days. Buy-sell art, art created by individuals other than the accepted artist, and work created from kits is unacceptable and grounds for ejection from the show.
3. Art created with the use of artificial intelligence tools must be fully disclosed in the artist’s statement within the application.
4. Artists may only show work in categories approved by the jury. All work exhibited must be of the quality and type shown in the images submitted to the jury.
5. Prints from lithographs, monoprints, plates, screens, serigraphs and wood blocks must be created and produced by the artist. Only 20% of the entire body of work can be photo-mechanical reproductions.
6. Artists MUST remain with their work for the entire two days of the festival and must remain open for the duration of the show. No early breakdown is permitted.
7. Artists must use a WHITE tent, free from any logos or advertisements, and must provide all display equipment, including booth set up, chairs and tables. Artist must secure and stake their tent OR weight their tents with properly attached weights. (We recommend 40+lbs per leg due to the risk of high winds at the festival location.) Artists may not display items outside of their designated tent space (10 x 10, 10 x 15, 10 x 20).
8. Electricity is not available for artists. Generators are not permitted.
9. Artists are required to have a fire extinguisher in their booth.
10. Artists must have a portable point of sale system OR at least 36” of sales counter that is no more than 34” above the ground to ensure accessibility for all patrons.
11. Artists are responsible for proper insurance and protection of self, work and set up. Valley Art Center will not be responsible for damage to work or set up due to weather or unrelated incidents. Valley Art Center will provide overnight security on Friday and Saturday night. Valley Art Center will not be responsible for theft, loss or physical injury to vendors, vendors' property and/or guests.
12. All Vendors are required to have a vendor's license according to the state of Ohio. A vendor's license can be obtained at the Ohio Department of Taxation website. Sales tax in Cuyahoga County is 8%.
13. Artists MUST Park in designated artist parking locations. Maps will be provided in Artists packets. Artists may be ticketed and ejected from the show if they choose to do otherwise.
14. Artists are required to donate a piece of their artwork valued at $50, or more, to the Valley Art Center Raffle Booth. This raffle helps raise funds for Valley Art Center's non-profit programming while bringing attention to participating artists. The raffle booth is prominently located at the front of the park where it draws crowds. Your booth number will be displayed next to your donation to attract patrons to your tent. For every $50 spent on artwork at the festival, each buyer receives a raffle ticket. Please bring a piece for this event that will be collected by volunteers as you arrive for setup on Friday, June 11th. We ask you to send a digital image of your raffle item so we can promote your artwork through social media no later than May 2, 2027.
15. All artists agree to follow any current Valley Art Center Covid/Health guidelines.
16. Valley Art Center has the right to photograph your booth during the event and use submitted application images in promotional materials for this year and future years.
17. Application fee of $50 is non-refundable. Artists who cancel prior to April 25, 2027 may receive a refund of booth fees, less $50 administrative fee.
Category Definitions
These definitions exist for the purpose of this competition and will assist you in placing your artwork in the correct category.
Ceramics - Various hard and corrosion-resistant materials made by shaping and then firing an inorganic, nonmetallic material, such as clay, at a high temperature. Common examples are earthenware, porcelain, and brick.
Digital Media - This includes art that uses varying degrees of digital manipulation, digital illustration/painting and any artwork that uses artificial intelligence tools. (Digital Media) Artistic practice that uses digital technology as part of the creative or presentation process. (Digitally Manipulated Photography) Digitally editing a photograph significantly using digital filters, manipulating color, saturation, tone, or vibrance that is not the natural or original color, pixelation, any photoshopping beyond basic edits, erasure of elements in photograph, and recombination of images. All submissions in Digital art MUST include one photo with ready to hang artwork and the Artist Statement must include descriptions of process, including software used.
Fiber Art - All work crafted from fibers including basketry, embroidery, weaving, leatherwork, and tapestry. This can be wearable or non-wearable. No machine tooling, machine-screened patterns or other forms of mass production are permitted.
Glass –Includes glasswork that may be functional or decorative by design and is kiln-formed. Artwork should be crafted through blowing, fusing, staining, molding, or casting. No forms or mass production are permitted.
Jewelry – Wearable artwork worn for personal adornment such as brooches, rings, necklaces, earrings, pendants, bracelets, and cufflinks. Jewelry often contains precious metals in combination with gemstones or other materials. All submissions must be fabricated or constructed by the submitting artist.
Metal - The process of creating through the manipulation of various metals. These manipulations include forming, shaping, sawing, doming, fold forming, drilling, soldering, texturing, stamping, etc.
Mixed Media/Other – (Mixed Media) Artwork in which more than one differing medium or material has been employed. Assemblages, collages, and certain sculptures are three common examples. (Other) Artwork that has been created by the artist but does not fit cleanly into another category. Show management may reassign submissions that meet another category.
Painting/Drawing – (Painting) Applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a solid surface. Commonly applied to the base with a brush, but other implements, such as knives, sponges, and airbrushes, can be used. (Drawing) Using instruments to mark paper or other two-dimensional surfaces. Instruments include graphite, inked brushes, colored pencils, crayons, charcoal, chalk, pastels, erasers, markers, styluses, and metals (such as silverpoint).
Photography - The art, application, and practice of creating durable images by recording light, either electronically by means of an image sensor, or chemically by means of light-sensitive material such as photographic film. For this competition, photographs taken with a digital camera are acceptable. Significant digital modification is not allowed in this category and should be considered in the Digital Media category.
Wood – Original works that are hand-tooled, machine-worked, turned, or carved. Embellished manufactured wood items and mass production are not permitted.
1. All work MUST be the original work of the artist and all work must be for sale.
2. All work must be designed and executed by the accepted artist, who is required to be present at the festival for both days. Buy-sell art, art created by individuals other than the accepted artist, and work created from kits is unacceptable and grounds for ejection from the show.
3. Art created with the use of artificial intelligence tools must be fully disclosed in the artist’s statement within the application.
4. Artists may only show work in categories approved by the jury. All work exhibited must be of the quality and type shown in the images submitted to the jury.
5. Prints from lithographs, monoprints, plates, screens, serigraphs and wood blocks must be created and produced by the artist. Only 20% of the entire body of work can be photo-mechanical reproductions.
6. Artists MUST remain with their work for the entire two days of the festival and must remain open for the duration of the show. No early breakdown is permitted.
7. Artists must use a WHITE tent, free from any logos or advertisements, and must provide all display equipment, including booth set up, chairs and tables. Artist must secure and stake their tent OR weight their tents with properly attached weights. (We recommend 40+lbs per leg due to the risk of high winds at the festival location.) Artists may not display items outside of their designated tent space (10 x 10, 10 x 15, 10 x 20).
8. Electricity is not available for artists. Generators are not permitted.
9. Artists are required to have a fire extinguisher in their booth.
10. Artists must have a portable point of sale system OR at least 36” of sales counter that is no more than 34” above the ground to ensure accessibility for all patrons.
11. Artists are responsible for proper insurance and protection of self, work and set up. Valley Art Center will not be responsible for damage to work or set up due to weather or unrelated incidents. Valley Art Center will provide overnight security on Friday and Saturday night. Valley Art Center will not be responsible for theft, loss or physical injury to vendors, vendors' property and/or guests.
12. All Vendors are required to have a vendor's license according to the state of Ohio. A vendor's license can be obtained at the Ohio Department of Taxation website. Sales tax in Cuyahoga County is 8%.
13. Artists MUST Park in designated artist parking locations. Maps will be provided in Artists packets. Artists may be ticketed and ejected from the show if they choose to do otherwise.
14. Artists are required to donate a piece of their artwork valued at $50, or more, to the Valley Art Center Raffle Booth. This raffle helps raise funds for Valley Art Center's non-profit programming while bringing attention to participating artists. The raffle booth is prominently located at the front of the park where it draws crowds. Your booth number will be displayed next to your donation to attract patrons to your tent. For every $50 spent on artwork at the festival, each buyer receives a raffle ticket. Please bring a piece for this event that will be collected by volunteers as you arrive for setup on Friday, June 11th. We ask you to send a digital image of your raffle item so we can promote your artwork through social media no later than May 2, 2027.
15. All artists agree to follow any current Valley Art Center Covid/Health guidelines.
16. Valley Art Center has the right to photograph your booth during the event and use submitted application images in promotional materials for this year and future years.
17. Application fee of $50 is non-refundable. Artists who cancel prior to April 25, 2027 may receive a refund of booth fees, less $50 administrative fee.
Category Definitions
These definitions exist for the purpose of this competition and will assist you in placing your artwork in the correct category.
Ceramics - Various hard and corrosion-resistant materials made by shaping and then firing an inorganic, nonmetallic material, such as clay, at a high temperature. Common examples are earthenware, porcelain, and brick.
Digital Media - This includes art that uses varying degrees of digital manipulation, digital illustration/painting and any artwork that uses artificial intelligence tools. (Digital Media) Artistic practice that uses digital technology as part of the creative or presentation process. (Digitally Manipulated Photography) Digitally editing a photograph significantly using digital filters, manipulating color, saturation, tone, or vibrance that is not the natural or original color, pixelation, any photoshopping beyond basic edits, erasure of elements in photograph, and recombination of images. All submissions in Digital art MUST include one photo with ready to hang artwork and the Artist Statement must include descriptions of process, including software used.
Fiber Art - All work crafted from fibers including basketry, embroidery, weaving, leatherwork, and tapestry. This can be wearable or non-wearable. No machine tooling, machine-screened patterns or other forms of mass production are permitted.
Glass –Includes glasswork that may be functional or decorative by design and is kiln-formed. Artwork should be crafted through blowing, fusing, staining, molding, or casting. No forms or mass production are permitted.
Jewelry – Wearable artwork worn for personal adornment such as brooches, rings, necklaces, earrings, pendants, bracelets, and cufflinks. Jewelry often contains precious metals in combination with gemstones or other materials. All submissions must be fabricated or constructed by the submitting artist.
Metal - The process of creating through the manipulation of various metals. These manipulations include forming, shaping, sawing, doming, fold forming, drilling, soldering, texturing, stamping, etc.
Mixed Media/Other – (Mixed Media) Artwork in which more than one differing medium or material has been employed. Assemblages, collages, and certain sculptures are three common examples. (Other) Artwork that has been created by the artist but does not fit cleanly into another category. Show management may reassign submissions that meet another category.
Painting/Drawing – (Painting) Applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a solid surface. Commonly applied to the base with a brush, but other implements, such as knives, sponges, and airbrushes, can be used. (Drawing) Using instruments to mark paper or other two-dimensional surfaces. Instruments include graphite, inked brushes, colored pencils, crayons, charcoal, chalk, pastels, erasers, markers, styluses, and metals (such as silverpoint).
Photography - The art, application, and practice of creating durable images by recording light, either electronically by means of an image sensor, or chemically by means of light-sensitive material such as photographic film. For this competition, photographs taken with a digital camera are acceptable. Significant digital modification is not allowed in this category and should be considered in the Digital Media category.
Wood – Original works that are hand-tooled, machine-worked, turned, or carved. Embellished manufactured wood items and mass production are not permitted.
Jury Details
Average number of applications submitted each year
350
Average number of artists selected from the jury to participate in the event
170
Average number of exempt from jury artists who are invited to participate in the event
10
Booth Information
Booth Set-up
Friday, June 11, 2027 7:30am – 4:00pm
Booth load-in will be assigned staggered arrival times based on location.
Show Hours
Saturday, June 12, 2027 10am – 6pm
Sunday, June 13, 2025 10am – 4pm
Booth Cost
10x10: $375
10x15: $475
10x20: $575
Corner Booth: $200 additional—available at checkout.
Artists must use a WHITE tent, free from any logos or advertisements, and must provide all display equipment, including booth set up, chairs and tables. Artist must secure and stake their tent OR weight their tents with properly attached weights. (We recommend 40+lbs per leg due to the risk of high winds at the festival location.) Artists may not display items outside of their designated tent space (10 x 10, 10 x 15, 10 x 20). Electricity is not available for artists.
Show management assigns all booths to ensure a cohesive flow and balance of mediums. Unless you are requesting an accessible space, specific location requests cannot be honored. A limited number of corner booths are available for purchase at checkout upon receiving show invitation.
Friday, June 11, 2027 7:30am – 4:00pm
Booth load-in will be assigned staggered arrival times based on location.
Show Hours
Saturday, June 12, 2027 10am – 6pm
Sunday, June 13, 2025 10am – 4pm
Booth Cost
10x10: $375
10x15: $475
10x20: $575
Corner Booth: $200 additional—available at checkout.
Artists must use a WHITE tent, free from any logos or advertisements, and must provide all display equipment, including booth set up, chairs and tables. Artist must secure and stake their tent OR weight their tents with properly attached weights. (We recommend 40+lbs per leg due to the risk of high winds at the festival location.) Artists may not display items outside of their designated tent space (10 x 10, 10 x 15, 10 x 20). Electricity is not available for artists.
Show management assigns all booths to ensure a cohesive flow and balance of mediums. Unless you are requesting an accessible space, specific location requests cannot be honored. A limited number of corner booths are available for purchase at checkout upon receiving show invitation.
Refund Policy
Refund Policy: Application fee of $50 is non-refundable. Artists who cancel prior to April 25, 2027 may receive a refund of booth fees, less $50 administrative fee.
Additional Fees
10x20 Booth: $575
10x15 Booth: $475
10x10 Booth: $375
10x20 Booth Upgrade: $200
Tent Rental Fee: $200
ADD ON Corner Booth Upgrade: $200
10x15 Booth Upgrade: $100