Waynesboro Fall Foliage Art Show 2026

Overview

The 55th Annual Virginia Fall Foliage Festival Art Show takes place on the historic downtown streets of Waynesboro, Virginia, in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley. This premier outdoor art show features 150+ fine artists and welcomes approximately 20,000 visitors annually. Produced by Shenandoah Valley Art Center (SVAC), a nonprofit community arts organization, the festival supports SVAC's mission to increase arts awareness and education while providing creative and economic opportunities for artists. The show is consistently voted among the Best of Virginia and is the largest outdoor art festival in the Shenandoah Valley.

Key dates

• Application deadline: July 17, 2026
• Jury meets monthly on the 15th
• Acceptance notifications sent via email: August 1, 2026

Eligibility

• All work must be original, handcrafted, and created by the exhibiting artist
• No mass-produced or kit work permitted
• All artists must be present on site for the full duration of the show
• Service animals only (no pets allowed)
• No agents permitted
• Emerging artists may apply

Media & categories

• 2D: Oil & acrylic painting, watercolor, photography, drawing, graphics, printmaking, 2D mixed media
• 3D: Glass, wood, sculpture, jewelry, fiber/textile, pottery

Submission requirements

• Submit 4 images (JPEG format, max 5MB each)
• Submission limit: 19 works per artist
• Booth sharing allowed (up to two artists; each must submit separate application and pay individual fees)

Booth & setup

All booth spaces measure 10' x 11'. Display materials and artwork must remain entirely within the assigned space. Electricity is not available; gas generators are prohibited. This is an outdoor, rain-or-shine event. Tents are strongly recommended (white tents only, properly weighted). The show is held on asphalt; stakes are not permitted. Artists may leave artwork overnight at their own risk; Waynesboro Police will be on site Friday and Saturday.

Fees & awards

• Jury fee: $25 (non-refundable)
• Booth fees: Single Booth (10'x11') $295, Double Booth (20'x10') $590, Triple Booth (30'x10') $885
• Total awards: $9,000 including $2,000 Best in Show, $1,150 Second Place, $850 Third Place, and 20 category awards

Artist benefits

Strong community support, engaged art-buying audience, easy load-in and load-out, booth sitters, complimentary coffee and snacks throughout the day, and excellent food vendors on site. Extensive marketing campaign includes print, radio, television, and digital advertising.

Important policies

• No refunds after September 1
• No refunds for weather cancellations (outdoor, rain-or-shine)
• Artists must respond to acceptance within 60 days (January–May applications) or 21 days (June–August applications)
• Late arrival or early departure may jeopardize eligibility for future participation
• Artists responsible for collecting and reporting Virginia State Sales Tax