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Get matched →The Capital Art and Craft Festival, a juried festival, draws buyers from Virginia, Maryland, DC, and beyond. CACF has hosted numerous festivals welcoming thousands of art and craft connoisseurs in search of unique pieces of art for themselves, personal collections, and as gifts. The festival will be held at the New DTC Expo Center in Sterling, VA where artists will engage with a diverse audience of art and fine craft enthusists who are looking to purchase items for personal collections, gifts, fashionable clothing, home decor and more. The new two level DTC Expo Center is attached to Dulles Town Center which offers plenty of free parking, easy access and of course, Indoors.
Capital Art and Craft Festivals are produced by SPARGO, Inc., the largest, independently owned, full-service event management company in the United States with over 54 years of experience. Our focus is on producing artist-friendly festivals which bring art/craft buyers and our artists together.
General Information
Participation in this juried event is open to Artists who handmake Art and Craft. Only creators of the art/craft should apply. Buy/sell, made from a kit, mass-produced, or pet related items are not accepted. If an artist is found to be not in compliance with this rule during set-up or the festival, they will be required to close their booth and leave the festival with no refund.
Important Dates
October 7, 2026 - Applications open
November 30, 2026 - Jury deliberation begins (rolling jury until booth space is full)
December 18, 2026 – Invitations to participate begin to be sent out
- applications received after December 18, 2026 there is a 7-10 day jury time frame
January 29, 2027 Booth payment due
January 30, 2027 - 100% cancellation fee applys
April 1, 2027 – Artist set up 9am-7pm
April 2-4, 2027 – Festival dates
Category List:
Wearable Art
Work created as wearables from fiber including dying, weaving, leather, quilting. Factory or mass-produced wearables not permitted. Jewelry must apply under the jewerly category
Fiber Non-wearables
Work created as non-wearables from fiber including dying, weaving, leather, quilting, papermaking.
Glass
Original work created in glass. Including blown, fused, stained, mosaic, and torched glass. No mass or factory produced work accepted. Glass jewelry must apply in the jewelry category.
Every listing links to the organizer's official page. Always confirm deadlines, fees, and entry rules there before you apply.
Jewelry
Original jewelry regardless of medium that is created without commercial molds, casts or use of a production studio. No mass-produced components assemble to create a final product will be accepted. No buy/sell. Chains not made by the artist may be sold as part of the overall product.
Leather
Items created using leater as the main material.
Metal
Functional and sculptured art incorporating metal.
Mixed Media
Original art of two and three dimensions joining two or more mediums/materials.
Painting and Prints
Art works that are painted using oils, acrylics, watercolors, pastels, etc.
Photography
Signed prints created by the artist from their original negatives or digital files processed by the Artist or under the direct supervision of the Artist.
Pottery/Clay
Original clay, ceramic, porcelain, stoneware, or earthenware functional and non-functional work. No machine-made or mass produced will be accepted.
Printmaking
Hand-pulled original work from plate, stone, block, or other objects. Must be limited edition.
Wood
Wood as the primary material. Including hand-tooled, machine worked, turned, or carved work.
Apothecary
Includes handmade soaps, candles, lotions, bath and personal care items.
Specialty Food and Beverage
Specialty food and beverage created by the artist that is not mass produced. Must be packaged for offsite consumption and for human consumption only. We do not accept pet treats booths.
The work represented in the images used when applying and display image must represent the work shown at the Festival. Items that are not in harmony with your application may not be displayed/sold.
Festival Dates:
Full set up day on Thursday, April 1, 2027 - 9am - 7pm
Friday, April 2, 2027 10am-5pm
Saturday, April 3, 2027 10am-5pm
Sunday, A pril 4, 2027 10am-4pm
Move out 4pm-9pm
Booth spaces available
10' x 10' - $750
10' x 15' - $1125 (limited number of booths available in this size)
10' x 20' - $1450
Corner fees are $200 (limited number available)
Larger booth space available in 10' increments
When you apply thru Zapplication you will pay a non-refundable $45 jury fee. Artists who are selected will receive an invitation letter. Once invited you will need to accept in Zapp in order to be placed in the event. The invitation does not secure your space, accepting will. Categories fill up so don't be left out by not accepting.
After the intial invites go out, newly submitted applications will be reviewed on a rolling jury basis, 7-10 day turn around.
During the application process you will be asked to submit 4 photos of your work and 1 booth display photo. These photos are for jury review, and if invited to participate, gives us an opportunity to use artwork photos for the fesitval website and social media.
Booth deposit and payments will be made thru our Artist portal not thru Zapplication. You will receive an invoice and direction how to make your payment thru the Artist portal. Credit cards and checks are accepted.
Once you receive your invoice you will need to submit your booth payment within 15 days. Booths will not be held without proper payment. Payments are fully refundable, if requested by January 29, 2027. Cancellations made after January 29, 2027 are subject to a 100% cancellation fee.
Artist Amenities include
We love our artists and want to do everything possible to drive sales and a create smooth experience.
Full time onsite staff - we're here to help you be successful!
50 Complimentary tickets for customers (ticket code sent 30 days prior to festival)
Personalized promotional postcards, digital flyers and social media graphics
Printed Artist Directory and Shopping Guide
Booth sitters for breaks
Porter services for move-in/out (tips for these hard workers appreciated)
Discounted hotel rates
Free parking
Application Fee: $45.
Event dates: April 2, 2027 to April 4, 2027.
Location: DTC Expo Center, Sterling, Virginia.
Setting: indoor.
Minimum 4 images required to apply.