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Get matched →Established in 1985, the Riverwalk Fine Art Fair is among the top rated art fairs in the nation. Held annually on the prestigious Riverwalk in Naperville, Illinois, the two day event draws more than 40,000 art conscious citizens from near and far. Enjoyed by artists for its sophisticated crowds, attentive staff and beautiful location, the fair is recognized as a premier festival of fine art and fine craft. The show has earned the reputation of being well juried, skillfully organized, and very artist friendly. A strong advertising campaign helps to keep this highly anticipated event a favorite of both vendors and patrons.
The Naperville Art League proudly announces the 41st Annual Riverwalk Fine Art Fair. We invite you to apply to our juried art exhibition and sale, which is held along the renowned Naperville Riverwalk and downtown city streets. The Riverwalk, considered to be one of the most beautifully maintained park grounds in the Midwest, features trees, fountains, and covered bridges along side a winding brick walkway. This paved path is a natural showcase for many of the sculptures and artwork commissioned by Naperville's Century Walk committee. As the focal point of downtown Naperville, it is a delightful setting for a Fine Art Fair. Visitors travel from near and far to enjoy the splendor of the riverwalk and the quaint restaurants and shops in downtown Naperville. On the third weekend in September we add to the ambiance with an outstanding display of the finest in visual arts.
The Riverwalk Fine Art Fair is in the center of a sophisticated, art conscious community, with highly educated, affluent patrons. The show is heavily promoted through newspaper features and inserts, billboards, posters, and paid advertising. Thousands of postcards are sent to previous and potential buyers and an estimated 40,000 festival goers attend this highly anticipated show.
ELIGIBILITY
Participation is open to artists working in painting (acrylic, oil, water media), drawing, sculpture, fiber, graphics, mixed media, jewelry, photography (limited-edition photographic prints made from the artist's original photographic image and processed by that artist, or under his or her direct supervision. Work must be properly signed and numbered as a limited edition), pottery, metalwork, glass, wood, digital art (any original work in which the original image was crafted and manipulated by the artist using the computer. Work must be in signed and numbered in limited editions. Artwork created using a camera and then subsequently manipulated using computer technology should apply in the photography category). We seek to maintain the highest standards for both artist and the viewing public. We enforce an "ORIGINALS ONLY" policy. Reproductions are not allowed (a reproduction is defined as a work of art which already exists [as a painting, watercolor, drawing etc.] and is copied by digital, photographic or other means and printed in one of a variety of methods including on an offset press, serigraph press or through a computer by means of an ink jet, laser or electrostatic printer to include Giclee). Exceptions are made for those applying under the heading of Printmaking wherein prints must be produced by the artist using printmaking techniques and in Photography and Digital Art where prints must be printed by the creator, signed and numbered in a limited edition of 250 or less. In addition, kits, factory made items, imported work, commercially made products, and fabricated forms or settings will not accepted. Artist must be present for the duration of the show.
Every listing links to the organizer's official page. Always confirm deadlines, fees, and entry rules there before you apply.
SHOW DATES AND HOURS
The Riverwalk Fine Art Fair is annually on the third weekend of September. This year the show is scheduled for September 19 and 20, 2026, from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm on both days. Artists may set up on Friday, September 18, from 8:00 am to 6:30 pm. At that time, immovable barriers will close off the street. Artists arriving after 6:00 pm must park outside of the art fair site and dolly in.
APPLICATION SUBMISSION AND ENTRY FEES
To enter, simply complete the application process online at Zapplication.org and submit a non-refundable payment of $35 for the jury fee, $65 if applying after the deadline of April 7 and on or before April 16, 2026. No applications will be accepted after April 16.
APPLY MULTIPLE TIMES FROM ONE PROFILE
Now you can apply in more than once from just one profile! This eliminates the need for separate profiles if you submit more than one application to our show. Simply log in to your ZAPP account, apply, and check out as normal. Then, repeat each time you apply (we will accept up to 3 applications per profile. You can apply either in the same or in different medium categories). Each entry requires a separate entry fee.
BOOTH FEES
Booth Fees are $450. All payments are to be made either directly through the Zapp system by credit card or with a check, made payable to the Naperville Art League and sent to the Naperville Art League, 508 North Center Street, Naperville, IL 60563.
JURY PROCESS
Submitted images must be representative of the work to be exhibited and should be sharply focused. All 5 images will be viewed and juried by professional art experts. Artists will be ranked numerically in their category based on jury scores. Exhibitors are selected by ranked point total. Artist statements will be made available to the judges to provide clarity. Booth fees are $450 for a single booth. Notification of status will sent by May 15, 2026. Due to unexpected circumstances which occur every year, the director may be involved in artist selection after the jury process.
100 CHARACTER JURY STATEMENT
Artists must include a brief statement about their materials and how they are used in the application form. This statement will help jurors evaluate the artists' work.
DISPLAY SPACE/FEES
Standard booth size is 10 X 12. Booths run along the Riverwalk and adjacent downtown city streets. Exhibit areas have both sun and shade and possible uneven terrain. Some booths are on the grass and others will be on the street or brick walkway. Tents are required. Tents must be weighted down and not staked into the ground. Artists must provide their own tents, display boards, tables, chairs, etc. Booths will be assigned by show management to provide media variation throughout the show.
AWARDS
One Best of Show with a $1,000 cash prize will be awarded. Four awards of excellence will be presented with a cash prize of $500 each. Four merit ribbons with a $250 cash prize will be awarded. Awards are given where excellence is determined regardless of media categories.
ABOUT NAPERVILLE
Naperville is located 30 miles west of Chicago, Illinois in affluent DuPage County. Known for its nationally-acclaimed schools and library system, Naperville is consistently recognized as a top community in the United States in which to raise children or retire. In December of 2003, Naperville earned the top honor in Money Magazine's "Best Places to Live" rankings. Home to over 150,000 citizens, Naperville is a booming suburb with a concentration of high tech firms. The most recently recorded estimated median family income was $152,000.The community works hard to maintain its small town character. The quaint downtown area is home to several national, regional, and indepentdent shops, and restaurants making it a favorite destination of area shoppers. For more information about the City of Naperville, area events and attractions visit the Naperville Visitors and Convention Bureau web site at www.visitnaperville.com or call toll-free at 1-877-23NAPER.
SHOW DIRECTION
The Riverwalk Fine Art Fair is sponsored by the Naperville Art League and professionally directed and produced by Deborah Venezia. The expressed intent of the Naperville Art League is to keep the Riverwalk Fine Art Fair a high-quality yet intimate art fair. We make every effort to prevent the loss or damage of artwork, however, Deborah Venezia and/or the Naperville