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Get matched →The Piccolo Spoleto Outdoor Art Exhibition (PSOAE), voted "Best Art Exhibit" by readers of the Charleston City Paper for the last two years, is the juried 2D visual arts centerpiece of the Piccolo Spoleto Festival. Now in its 48th year, this celebrated 16-day event transforms Marion Square, a historic park in the vibrant heart of downtown Charleston, into a stunning open-air gallery. Held in a city consistently named one of the best travel destinations in the world, the exhibition is a prime destination for the thousands of dedicated art patrons and collectors who travel from across the country and the globe to attend the coinciding and internationally renowned Spoleto Festival USA. After 46 years as an exhibit only open to South Carolina artists, we are proud to announce our national call for entry on Zapplication, inviting artists from across the United States to apply and be part of this beloved, award-winning event.
For the first time in its 48-year history, the Piccolo Spoleto Outdoor Art Exhibition (PSOAE) is open to artists nationwide. We invite you to apply to this prestigious 2D fine art exhibition in the heart of Charleston, SC. As the premier fine art component of the Piccolo Spoleto Festival, our exhibition runs concurrently with the world-renowned Spoleto Festival USA, a larger performing arts festival that showcases international artists in over 120 performances spanning opera, theater, dance, and various genres of music. This takes over the city of Charleston for two weeks and places you directly in the path of a massive, art-focused audience that fills the city during this time.
Why a 16-Day Exhibition?
The exhibition's schedule is intentionally aligned with the full run of the Spoleto and Piccolo Spoleto festivals. This provides you with the opportunity to engage with thousands of visitors who have traveled to Charleston specifically to experience and purchase art over three full weekends and the weekdays in-between.
This extended format maximizes your sales potential and allows for deeper connections with patrons. A 2023 College of Charleston study found the Spoleto festival generates over $29.4 million in economic impact from out-of-town visitors, 83% of whom come primarily for this city-wide arts celebration.
Held in historic Marion Square, the exhibition is also perfectly timed, bridging the gap between the spring and summer show circuits. Don't miss this opportunity to showcase your work when the entire city of Charleston comes alive with art.
We invite you to apply on Zapp and join us for this celebrated event.
How to Apply
To be considered for the exhibition, each artist must submit a complete online application. Please review the following guidelines carefully before applying.
Every listing links to the organizer's official page. Always confirm deadlines, fees, and entry rules there before you apply.
Applying in Multiple Categories: Artists may apply in up to three (3) different categories.
A separate online application, including a distinct set of images and a jury fee, is required for each category.
The body of work submitted for each category must be substantially different in medium, style, or technique.
Jury Process & Criteria This exhibition is juried anonymously to ensure impartiality. The jury's primary considerations are the creative vision of the applicant and the quality of the work submitted.
All work must be 2D, original and handcrafted by the artist. No AI or digitally created/generated work will be accepted (see acceptable categories).
If selected, the artist's body of work at the show must be substantially the same in quality and style as the work shown in their application images. Non-compliance may result in expulsion from the show.
We reserve the right to refuse any application.
All jury decisions are final.
Image Submission Guidelines
For each application, you must submit a total of five (5) high-quality images.
Four (4) Images of Individual Artwork: These images should showcase your work. Do not include your signature, initials or any identifying in fo.
One (1) Mandatory Booth Image: This image must feature your current artwork as it would be displayed for sale.
Important: This is a blind jury process. Your application will be disqualified if any of your five images contain identifying information, such as your name, signature, company name, signage, or photos of you or other people.
Booth Image Requirements The booth image is a critical component of your application. It helps the jury understand the cohesiveness of your work and your overall presentation style.
An image of an outdoor booth setup is preferred.
The image must be an actual photograph. Digitally created or computer-rendered booth images are not permitted.
The image must be anonymous, with no names, signage, or other identifying markers.
Don't have a professional booth shot? If you do not have a formal booth image, you may submit a photograph showing a collection of your work arranged as you would present it at the show. Again, no identifying information in this image.
Accepted 2D Media Categories
This exhibition is open to artists working in two-dimensional media. Acceptable categories include:
Acrylic Painter
Charcoal
Graphite
Ink and Pen
Mixed Media (2D)
Oil Painter
Pastels
Photography
Printmaking (Includes Monotype, Etching, Linocut, Intaglio, Lithography, and Woodcuts)
Watercolor Painter
Please note, we accept traditionally created 2D original artwork. Digital painting, digitally created, digitally enhanced art, or art that has been in part or in whole created using AI generation is not accepted and will not be allowed to exhibit. Also note, a giclee is a reproduction, whether it has been painted on, painted over or otherwise enhanced by an artist: an "enhanced" giclee is not considered an original artwork.
Waitlist
A waitlist will be created based on the jury's scores. Should an opening become available, artists on the waitlist will be contacted in order of their ranking, which is determined first by score and then by the original application date. Waitlisted artists will be notified of their acceptance via email through the Zapplication system.
ARTISTS' AMENITIES
Artists' Gallery on website
Security patrol after hours
Artists retain all sales proceeds
AWARDS
Best of Show: $1,000
1st Place: $500
2nd Place: $250
3rd Place: $250
Five Awards of Merit
Five Honorable Mentions
Application Fee: $40.
Artist notification date: 2027-02-06.
Event dates: May 22, 2027 to June 7, 2027.
Location: Marion Square, Charleston, South Carolina.
Setting: outdoor.
Minimum 4 images required to apply.