Lake Wales Arts Festival 2027, 56th Annual
Submit four JPG images (three artworks and one booth display photo) and complete an online application to compete for over $22,000 in awards at this juried two-day art festival.
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Get matched →- Deadline
- 111 days left
- Entry fee
- $35
- Award
- $22,000
- Location
- Lake Wales, Florida
- Exhibition window
- Feb 27, 2027 → Feb 28, 2027
- Applicants notified
- Jan 8, 2027
About
Overview
The 56th Annual Lake Wales Arts Festival is a two-day outdoor juried art festival celebrating and exhibiting quality works by fine artists and artisans. Over 75 artists compete for more than $22,000 in awards. The critically acclaimed festival attracts thousands of art lovers who purchase original, one-of-a-kind works.
Key Dates
- Early Bird registration deadline: Tuesday, September 30, 2026
- Application deadline: Sunday, January 3, 2027
- Jurying completion: Thursday, January 7, 2027
- Artist notification: Early January (by email)
- Booth purchase deadline: Friday, January 22, 2027
- Festival dates: Saturday, February 27 and Sunday, February 28, 2027
Eligibility & Categories
- Emerging Artist (see Rules/Regulations)
- Clay & Porcelain
- Digital
- Drawing & Pastels
- Fiber
- Fine Crafts
- Glass
- Graphics & Print Making
- Jewelry
- Mixed Media
- Painting
- Photography
- Sculpture
- Wood
Application Requirements
- Four JPG images: three individual artworks and one overall booth display photo
- Jury fee (non-refundable)
- Select one category for artwork to be entered
Fees
- Jury Fee: $30 per category if submitted by September 30, 2026
- Jury Fee: $35 starting October 1, 2026
- Jury Fee: $50 starting January 1, 2027
- Exhibit Booth Fee: $195 per exhibit space (paid through Zapp upon acceptance, non-refundable)
Awards
- Best of Show: $4,000
- Judge's Award for Exceptional Work (2 awards @ $2,000 each): $4,000
- Award of Excellence (4 awards @ $1,000 each): $4,000
- Award of Distinction (5 awards @ $600 each): $3,000
- Award of Merit (5 awards @ $350 each): $1,750
- Emerging Artist Awards (1 award @ $250): $250
- Gift of Art Purchase Program: $5,000 (or more)
Booth Requirements & Festival Details
- Friday, February 26: Registration and setup 11:00am-5:00pm
- Saturday, February 27: Registration and setup 8:00am-9:00am; Artist Breakfast 8:00am-9:30am; Judging starts 9:30am; Festival hours 10:00am-4:00pm; Happy Hour 4:00pm-5:00pm; Awards Presentation 5:00pm-5:45pm; Art-B-Que Dinner and Live Music 5:45pm-9:00pm
- Sunday, February 28: Artist Breakfast 8:00am-9:30am; Festival hours 10:00am-4:00pm
Contact
Questions? Contact Lake Wales Arts Council by email: [email protected]
- Award
- Best of Show $4,000; Judge's Award for Exceptional Work (2 @ $2,000); Award of Excellence (4 @ $1,000); Award of Distinction (5 @ $600); Award of Merit (5 @ $350); Emerging Artist Awards (1 @ $250); "Gift of Art" Purchase Program $5,000 (or more). Total $22,000.
- Entry fee
- Jury Fee: $30 per category if submitted by September 30, 2026. Fee increases to $35 starting October 1, 2026. Fee increases to $50 starting January 1, 2027. Non-refundable. Exhibit Booth Fee: $195 per exhibit space, paid through Zapp upon acceptance, non-refundable.
- Eligibility
- Open to fine artists and artisans; Emerging Artist category has specific eligibility requirements.
- Audience
- Open to fine artists and artisans
- Also worth noting
- Waitlist maintained
- Waitlist
- The organizer keeps one.
- Contact
- [email protected]
Every listing links to the organizer's official page. Always confirm deadlines, fees, and entry rules there before you apply.