For 68 years, the Charlevoix Waterfront Art Fair, the second oldest juried art fair in Michigan, has been bringing fine art to the community. Held in grassy East Park on Round Lake, the natural harbor between Lakes Michigan and Charlevoix provides a unique and beautiful setting. The fair's emphasis is on art and creativity, attracting top artists and knowledgeable patrons. Proceeds from the fair benefit arts education in the community, supporting the next generation of artists and fostering creativity. The Waterfront Art Fair has an outstanding reputation with critics, collectors, and artists due to the quality of art and the unparalleled location.
Key Dates for Artists
February 15: Deadline for applications (including three digital images of work, plus one booth image) and $40 jury fee.
March 1: Artists will be notified via email with Jury decisions.
March 31: Upon acceptance, a booth check must be received to reserve your space. Booth fees must be paid directly to the Charlevoix Waterfront Art Fair (CWAF), not through the Zapp platform.
June 15: Booth/space fees are no longer refundable (a $50.00 administration fee will be deducted from all cancellations made prior to the deadline).
August 13: Registration, early setup 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
August 14: Charlevoix Waterfront Art Fair 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Setup Information
Friday night set-up is available at your own risk. The exhibit area will be patrolled with communication to the police department.
Media Categories
Charlevoix Waterfront Art Fair (CWAF) uses media categories as a tool for organizing artists' images for jury review. While a balanced show equitably showcasing fine art, fine craft, and diversity among media is a principal objective, CWAF establishes no quota or entitlement by media category.
Specific Media Guidelines
Ceramics: All original clay and porcelain work other than jewelry. No machine-made or mass-produced work. If multiple pieces of the same design are displayed, each piece must be signed.
Every listing links to the organizer's official page. Always confirm deadlines, fees, and entry rules there before you apply.
Digital Art: Original work where the image or manipulation was executed by computer. Artwork must be in signed and numbered limited editions, on archival quality materials. Traditional photographs through digital media should apply in photography. Work generated by Artificial Intelligence is prohibited.
Drawing: Works created using dry media (chalk, charcoal, pastels, pencil, wax crayon) or fluid medium of inks and washes applied by pen or brush.
Fiber: Unique, one-of-a-kind artwork crafted from fibers, basketry, weaving, and tapestry created by the exhibiting artist alone. Includes wearable art. No machine-tooled work, machine-screen printing, or other forms of mass production.
Glass: No forms of mass production are permitted.
Jewelry: All jewelry (metal, glass, clay, fiber, paper, plastic, or other materials) must be entered in this category. No commercial casts, molds, or production studio work is allowed.
Leather: One-of-a-kind, unique pieces created by the exhibiting artist. No machine-tooled, machine-screen printed, or other forms of mass production. No factory-produced items, regardless of additional modification or enhancement.
Mixed Media: Works, both 2 and 3-dimensional, that incorporate more than one type of physical material to produce. Includes non-sculptural work.
Painting: Works created in oils, acrylics, watercolor, etc.
Photography: Photographic prints from the artist's original image, processed by or under the artist's direct supervision. Artwork must be in signed and numbered limited editions, on archival quality materials. Photographers are required to disclose both their creative and printing processes.
Printmaking: Printed works where the artist's hand manipulated the plates, stones, or screens, properly signed and numbered as a limited edition. All offset reproductions will be rejected.
Sculpture: Three-dimensional original work done in any medium.
Wood Objects/Hand-Crafted Furniture: Unique, one-of-a-kind, original hand-tooled, machine-worked, or carved work made entirely by the exhibiting artist. No reproductions or mass-produced work.
The Charlevoix Waterfront Art Fair emphasizes fine art and creativity, showcasing a variety of art, techniques, and colors to provide a spectacular visual experience.