Fairs/Festivals
West Shore Art Fair 2027
Contact Information
Ludington Area Center for the Arts
Contact Email: wsaf@ludingtonartscenter.org
Contact Phone: 231-845-2787
Requirement Overview
- Eligible Applicant Types: Artist
- Submission Limit: 4
Media Requirements
- Images | Min: 4, Max: 4
- Total | Max: 4
Opportunity Summary
About the West Shore Art Fair
The Ludington Area Center for the Arts (LACA) will accept applications for the 2027 West Shore Art Fair (WSAF) starting Nov. 1, 2026 through Feb. 28, 2027.
The 2027 WSAF will take place in downtown Ludington’s Rotary Park Saturday and Sunday, July 3-4, 2027.
We will again be using Zapplication for all applications.
All applicants must submit three images of their artwork and an image of their booth. There is a $40 application fee. Artists can take advantage of the WSAF's early bird application fee discount and save $10 by using the code eb2027 at checkout when applying prior to Dec. 31, 2026.
Now in its 59th year, the WSAF is known as one of the top fine art fairs in the State of Michigan and earned national recognition once again—ranking 98th among Sunshine Artist’s “200 Best Fine Art Fairs” in the U.S. for 2026! The WSAF features 100 jury-selected fine artists across a variety of media, including: clay, fiber, glass, jewelry, metal, painting, photography, sculpture and more.
This open-air, juried fine art and fine crafts show is managed by the Ludington Area Center for the Arts, a community arts organization that cultivates access to arts and culture in West Michigan.
In addition to original, jury-selected art, the show features live music performances, food stations, a children's art activity area featuring crafts and a children's art buying tent.
Visit facebook.com/WestShoreArtFair for more information.
The 2027 WSAF will take place in downtown Ludington’s Rotary Park Saturday and Sunday, July 3-4, 2027.
We will again be using Zapplication for all applications.
All applicants must submit three images of their artwork and an image of their booth. There is a $40 application fee. Artists can take advantage of the WSAF's early bird application fee discount and save $10 by using the code eb2027 at checkout when applying prior to Dec. 31, 2026.
Now in its 59th year, the WSAF is known as one of the top fine art fairs in the State of Michigan and earned national recognition once again—ranking 98th among Sunshine Artist’s “200 Best Fine Art Fairs” in the U.S. for 2026! The WSAF features 100 jury-selected fine artists across a variety of media, including: clay, fiber, glass, jewelry, metal, painting, photography, sculpture and more.
This open-air, juried fine art and fine crafts show is managed by the Ludington Area Center for the Arts, a community arts organization that cultivates access to arts and culture in West Michigan.
In addition to original, jury-selected art, the show features live music performances, food stations, a children's art activity area featuring crafts and a children's art buying tent.
Visit facebook.com/WestShoreArtFair for more information.
General Information
2027 West Shore Art Fair
at Rotary Park, located in the 500 block of West Ludington Ave.
Show Dates: July 3-4, 2027
Saturday, 7/3/27 - 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday, 7/4/27 - 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Application Deadline: February 28, 2027 - 11:59pm EST
web: https://www.ludingtonartscenter.org/west-shore-art-fair
facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WestShoreArtFair
Prizes – 12 First Place prizes of $200 each will be awarded by catagory. Winning artists will also be exempt from the jury and application fee the following year.
Medium Categories:
Clay – Original daily use items such as vases, mugs, plates, etc. Also includes original non-functional decorative items created out of clay, such as tiles, wall hangings, etc. If multiple pieces of the same design are displayed, each must be signed and limited to a numbered edition. Exhibitors must disclose and display their creative processes in their booth during the festival.
Drawing – Original two-dimensional work including ink applied by pen or brush, chalk, graphite, charcoal, wax crayon, colored pencil, or pastel.
Fiber – Any original wearable or non-wearable work crafted solely by the artist from fibers including fabric, baskets, weaving, paper, quilts, dolls, batik, etc. Sewn fashion items cannot be mass produced. Please indicate in your process statement how the work is produced. All factory-produced wearable items, regardless of additional modification or enhancement by the artists are not accepted.
Glass- Original functional or non-functional work created in glass by the artist, by glass blowing, molding or casting. No forms of mass production are permitted.
Jewelry – Any original jewelry crafted from precious metals (gold, silver, gemstones, etc.) or from non-precious materials (wood, clay, glass, etc.). Gold-filled, washed or plated work and commercially manufactured findings must be identified. No commercial casts, molds or production studios. Artists using non-precious materials must provide additional information in their process statement as to the elements used to create the work (are elements such as beads and findings created by the artist or were they purchased from another source?). All jewelry sold on-site must be juried in the Jewelry Category (ie: If your main category is Glass and you intend to also sell glass jewelry, you must apply in both Glass and Jewelry to be eligible.
Leather - Original fine crafted, hand tooled and hand sewn, created from original patterns designed by the artist. This includes bags, belts, hats, purses, apparel, etc. Please indicate in your process statement how the work is produced. (ie: do you design, cut and sew your own patterns, are the decorations or findings used in the work made by the artist?)
Metals - Includes original crafted work such as bowls, candlesticks, decorative items, sculpture, etc. No mass-produced items allowed.
Mixed Media – Original two or three-dimensional artwork that incorporates more than one type of media to create the whole piece. Do not use this category if you make items in two different media categories. For example, if you make wooden tables and decorative glass items, you must apply to both Wood and Glass using separate applications.
Painting - Original two-dimensional work created with pigment including acrylic, oil, egg tempera, gouache, watercolor, etc. Booths must contain atleast 30% artwork (not prints).
Photography – Photographic prints made from the artists original negative or taken with a Digital camera that have been processed in limited editions on archival-quality materials. All work exhibited must be entirely created by the artist from his/her original negatives or original images. Please indicate darkroom and/or digital processes in your process statement. If work is digitally altered artists must clearly communicate that information to Art Fair patrons. Exhibitors must disclose any digital manipulation in their process statement to the jury.
Printmaking - Original works created manually by the artist using plates, stones or screens. Work must be hand pulled original prints, signed, numbered and in limited editions on archival-quality material. Exhibitors must disclose and display both their creative and printing processes in their booth during the festival.
Wood -Original hand tooled, built, turned or carved work, including finely crafted bowls, boxes, furniture, etc. No mass-produced items allowed.
REQUIREMENTS:
Images: 3 images of artist work, and 1 image of booth display (Please be sure that your name or image does not appear in your booth photo)
Application Process:
Complete application online at www.zapplication.org. All payments are made through your Zapplication account for both jury fee and booth fee.
Jury Fee (Application Fee):
$30.00 for earlybird applications November-December - use coupon code at checkout: eb2027
$40.00 January-February
Single booth space: 12' x 12' for $300
Double booth space: 12' x 24' for $600
Important Dates
Applications Open: November 1, 2026
Application Deadline: February 28, 2027
Jurying Starts: March 5, 2027
Jurying Ends: March 23, 2027
Artist Notifications: No later than April 7, 2027
Accept Invitation and Purchase Deadline: May 13, 2027
Booth Set-up: July 2, 2027
Show Dates: July 3-4, 2027
Please donate an inexpensive piece of art to our Children's Art Tent
The West Shore Art Fair provides children the opportunity to become patrons of the arts by allowing them to select and purchase original high quality art at our Children's Art Tent. Exhibiting artists are encouraged to help us nurture future arts patrons by donating a piece of original art to be sold in our Children's Art Tent. Please bring at least one piece of art to donate to the Children’s Tent. Donated art work can be a piece from your displayed work or an inexpensive item made especially for the WSAF Children's Tent. All art will be sold for $5. This is not a raffle or an auction. All proceeds from the sale of art supports our children's programming at the fair. Artists who generously donate art are asked to bring those items to the WSAF Info Booth where they will receive a donation receipt.
NO REFUNDS
West Shore Art Fair
c/o Ludington Area Center for the Arts
107 S. Harrison St.
Ludington, MI 49431
Artist Amenities:
at Rotary Park, located in the 500 block of West Ludington Ave.
Show Dates: July 3-4, 2027
Saturday, 7/3/27 - 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday, 7/4/27 - 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Application Deadline: February 28, 2027 - 11:59pm EST
web: https://www.ludingtonartscenter.org/west-shore-art-fair
facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WestShoreArtFair
Prizes – 12 First Place prizes of $200 each will be awarded by catagory. Winning artists will also be exempt from the jury and application fee the following year.
Medium Categories:
Clay – Original daily use items such as vases, mugs, plates, etc. Also includes original non-functional decorative items created out of clay, such as tiles, wall hangings, etc. If multiple pieces of the same design are displayed, each must be signed and limited to a numbered edition. Exhibitors must disclose and display their creative processes in their booth during the festival.
Drawing – Original two-dimensional work including ink applied by pen or brush, chalk, graphite, charcoal, wax crayon, colored pencil, or pastel.
Fiber – Any original wearable or non-wearable work crafted solely by the artist from fibers including fabric, baskets, weaving, paper, quilts, dolls, batik, etc. Sewn fashion items cannot be mass produced. Please indicate in your process statement how the work is produced. All factory-produced wearable items, regardless of additional modification or enhancement by the artists are not accepted.
Glass- Original functional or non-functional work created in glass by the artist, by glass blowing, molding or casting. No forms of mass production are permitted.
Jewelry – Any original jewelry crafted from precious metals (gold, silver, gemstones, etc.) or from non-precious materials (wood, clay, glass, etc.). Gold-filled, washed or plated work and commercially manufactured findings must be identified. No commercial casts, molds or production studios. Artists using non-precious materials must provide additional information in their process statement as to the elements used to create the work (are elements such as beads and findings created by the artist or were they purchased from another source?). All jewelry sold on-site must be juried in the Jewelry Category (ie: If your main category is Glass and you intend to also sell glass jewelry, you must apply in both Glass and Jewelry to be eligible.
Leather - Original fine crafted, hand tooled and hand sewn, created from original patterns designed by the artist. This includes bags, belts, hats, purses, apparel, etc. Please indicate in your process statement how the work is produced. (ie: do you design, cut and sew your own patterns, are the decorations or findings used in the work made by the artist?)
Metals - Includes original crafted work such as bowls, candlesticks, decorative items, sculpture, etc. No mass-produced items allowed.
Mixed Media – Original two or three-dimensional artwork that incorporates more than one type of media to create the whole piece. Do not use this category if you make items in two different media categories. For example, if you make wooden tables and decorative glass items, you must apply to both Wood and Glass using separate applications.
Painting - Original two-dimensional work created with pigment including acrylic, oil, egg tempera, gouache, watercolor, etc. Booths must contain atleast 30% artwork (not prints).
Photography – Photographic prints made from the artists original negative or taken with a Digital camera that have been processed in limited editions on archival-quality materials. All work exhibited must be entirely created by the artist from his/her original negatives or original images. Please indicate darkroom and/or digital processes in your process statement. If work is digitally altered artists must clearly communicate that information to Art Fair patrons. Exhibitors must disclose any digital manipulation in their process statement to the jury.
Printmaking - Original works created manually by the artist using plates, stones or screens. Work must be hand pulled original prints, signed, numbered and in limited editions on archival-quality material. Exhibitors must disclose and display both their creative and printing processes in their booth during the festival.
Wood -Original hand tooled, built, turned or carved work, including finely crafted bowls, boxes, furniture, etc. No mass-produced items allowed.
REQUIREMENTS:
Images: 3 images of artist work, and 1 image of booth display (Please be sure that your name or image does not appear in your booth photo)
Application Process:
Complete application online at www.zapplication.org. All payments are made through your Zapplication account for both jury fee and booth fee.
Jury Fee (Application Fee):
$30.00 for earlybird applications November-December - use coupon code at checkout: eb2027
$40.00 January-February
Single booth space: 12' x 12' for $300
Double booth space: 12' x 24' for $600
Important Dates
Applications Open: November 1, 2026
Application Deadline: February 28, 2027
Jurying Starts: March 5, 2027
Jurying Ends: March 23, 2027
Artist Notifications: No later than April 7, 2027
Accept Invitation and Purchase Deadline: May 13, 2027
Booth Set-up: July 2, 2027
Show Dates: July 3-4, 2027
Please donate an inexpensive piece of art to our Children's Art Tent
The West Shore Art Fair provides children the opportunity to become patrons of the arts by allowing them to select and purchase original high quality art at our Children's Art Tent. Exhibiting artists are encouraged to help us nurture future arts patrons by donating a piece of original art to be sold in our Children's Art Tent. Please bring at least one piece of art to donate to the Children’s Tent. Donated art work can be a piece from your displayed work or an inexpensive item made especially for the WSAF Children's Tent. All art will be sold for $5. This is not a raffle or an auction. All proceeds from the sale of art supports our children's programming at the fair. Artists who generously donate art are asked to bring those items to the WSAF Info Booth where they will receive a donation receipt.
West Shore Art Fair
c/o Ludington Area Center for the Arts
107 S. Harrison St.
Ludington, MI 49431
Artist Amenities:
- On-site breakfast for artists provided each morning on Saturday and Sunday.
- Booth sitters are available throughout the weekend.
- Water wagon will help keep artists hydrated.
- Food will be sold on-site.
- Overnight park security will be provided Friday and Saturday nights.
- Awards will be presented to the top exhibiting artist in each category as chosen by our on-site jury. Winners will receive $200, award ribbons and jury fee will be waived for the following year.
- A program listing all artists, with their media and booth locations will be available.
- The WSAF will be publicized and marketed throughout the region, statewide and beyond.
- Lodging information is available by contacting the Ludington Area Convention and Visitor's Bureau: www.pureludington.com (Please note that the Ludington area is a popular Fourth of July destination and lodging in a 10-mile proximity to the art fair can be limiting as the show date nears).
Application Requirements
- All work must be original and produced by the exhibiting artist without the aid of assistants.
- NO buy/sell, imported or bazaar items
- NO mass-produced items allowed. All assembly must be done by the artist.
- NO items made from kits or assembled from commercially pre-made or mass-produced components.
- NO items made by embellishing purchased commercially-made items (i.e. clothing, plans, patterns, die-casts, molds, stencils, forms).
- Selection by the jury of an artist's work within one category does not authorize exhibition by the same artist in any other category.
- Work sold at WSAF must be of the same nature and quality as the images submitted for the jury in the artist's application.
- All artists should bring work-in-progress photos to be available during WSAF in case questions arise regarding the eligibility of their items.
- Items labeled "sale" or signs stating "on sale" or "make me an offer" or the like are prohibited.
- Artist whose name appears on the application must be present during all stated WSAF hours, both days.
- No dealers, agents or representatives.
- The artist must check in with picture ID. Partner, spouse or family member will not be allowed to represent artist at check-in.
- All exhibiting artists are required to check-in at on-site festival tent PRIOR to set up.
- Artists will be asked to verify vehicle and trailer licenses at check-in and will receive an Artist Parking Pass which must be displayed on each vehicle and trailer during the entire WSAF weekend.
- Exhibit space is not transferable and may not be shared with another artist.
- Artists must not park on the streets adjacent to the City Park during WSAF hours, leaving that area available for customer parking.
- Artists must unload quickly and completely and move their vehicles to the designated parking location BEFORE beginning booth set-up. At shut down artists must pack down completely before bringing vehicles onto the festival site for load-out. This rule is critical due to limited parking and set-up/load-out congestion. Failure to adhere to this rule is grounds for disqualification.
- Artists are responsible for their own Michigan Sales Tax license and payment.
- NO SMOKING - This is a SMOKE FREE event.
- NO dogs or other pets allowed in or around artist booths, except service animals.
- There is no overnight street parking in residential areas for RVs, motor homes, campers, vans, or trailers; information will be available at check-in for overnight parking arrangements.
- Any problems artists may encounter should be brought to the attention of WSAF staff immediately for resolution. Disrespectful or hostile treatment of WSAF staff, volunteers, fellow artists, or patrons is grounds for disqualification.
- All rules, including set-up and load-out times will be strictly enforced.
- The WSAF reserves the right to make changes to these rules at any time without notice and will make the final interpretation of rules and determination of enforcement.
- There are NO refunds for cancellations. Failure to give advanced notice of inability to attend once booth fee is paid may result in disqualification from the WSAF in the future.
- Artists are responsible to bring their own tent, display materials and MUST have ample weights on their tents. Ludington is a shoreline community and blustery wind conditions may arise. The WSAF cannot provide tent weights and is not responsible for damage to artwork or tents.
Jury Details
Average number of applications submitted each year
175
Average number of artists selected from the jury to participate in the event
100
Average number of exempt from jury artists who are invited to participate in the event
12
Booth Information
- No booth fees will be accepted past the invitation acceptance deadline
- Booth fees are due at time of artist acceptance of invitation to exhibit
- Some booth locations require the artist to dolly in. Specific booth requests will be granted when possible. We make every effort to honor requests, however we will grant requests based on the date booth fees are received.
- All booths are set up on grass. Absolutely NO stakes allowed.
- There is no electricity available on festival grounds
- Exhibitors must furnish their own tent and tent weights
Refund Policy
There will be no refunds on application fees.
There are NO refunds of booth fees for cancellations after June 1, 2027. Failure to give advanced notice of inability to attend once booth fee is paid may result in disqualification from the WSAF in the future.
There are NO refunds of booth fees for cancellations after June 1, 2027. Failure to give advanced notice of inability to attend once booth fee is paid may result in disqualification from the WSAF in the future.
Terms to Apply
Application/Jury Fee: $40
