Summary
The Lake Wales Arts Festival has over a 55-year-old tradition of celebrating and exhibiting quality works of art by fine artists and artisans with over 75 exhibiting artists competing for more than $20,000 in awards! Presented by the Lake Wales Arts Council, the diversity of the critically acclaimed two-day festival attracts thousands of art lovers each year who purchase original, one-of-a-kind works of art.
General Information
Artists may apply in 13 categories: Emerging Artist, Clay & Porcelain, Digital, Drawing & Pastels, Fiber, Fine Crafts, Glass, Graphics & Print Making, Jewelry, Mixed Media, Painting, Photography, and Sculpture.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
- Each artist must complete an individual online application and submit all items on the checklist.
- Application packets must be electronically submitted by Sunday, January 3, 2027.
- Jurying will be completed by Thursday, January 7, 2027.
- Notice of acceptance will be emailed.
ARTIST SELECTION
An anonymous panel of experienced jurors will select the artists for the Lake Wales Arts Festival. Jurying is based solely on the images submitted and acceptance will go to artists with the highest scores. A waiting list will be kept.
Awards
- Best of Show $4,000
- Judge's Award for Exceptional Work (2 @ $2,000) $4,000
- Award of Excellence (4 @ $1,000) $4,000
- Award of Distinction (5 @ $600) $3,000
- Award of Merit (5 @ $350) $1,750
- Emerging Artist Awards (1 @ $250) $250
- "Gift of Art" Purchase Program $5,000 (or more)
- Total $22,000
Awards are selected by two independent judges, regardless of category.
Emerging Artist Program
The LWAF Emerging Artist Program provides promising artists with a pathway into the professional juried art festival experience. It is intended for artists who demonstrate strong artistic potential but have limited experience exhibiting and selling work at professional outdoor festivals.
- Artists 18+ with little or no juried outdoor festival experience.
- Four (4) artwork images required; submit a fourth artwork for the "booth photo" image. No booth photo necessary.
- Regular application fees apply.
- If selected, the booth fee is waived.
- Three (3) to Eight (8) EA selected through a juried application.
- Pre-Festival orientation and mentorship covering display, pricing, and festival expectations.
- EA display their work in a designated space within a group tent.
- LWAF provides display walls and a single 8-foot table.
- EA are eligible for a dedicated Emerging Artist Award with a $250 prize.
- EA are limited to three years of participation and eligible for the EA Award one time.
Booth Information and Fees
Jury Fee: $30 per category if paid through ZAPP by September 30, 2026. The fee increases to $35 on October 1, 2026. The fees increase to $50 on January 1, 2027. All fees are non-refundable.
Exhibit Booth Fee: $195 per exhibit space, payable through ZAPP upon acceptance. This fee is non-refundable once accepted.
Booth Requirements:
- Exhibit space is approximately 10' x 10'. Exhibits must stay within this footprint.
- Only one exhibitor is permitted per space.
- Booths must be fully set up by 9:00am on Saturday, February 27, and remain in place until 4:00pm on Sunday, February 28.
- To be eligible for judging, booth identification must be clearly placed on the front top-right corner of the booth.
Tent Requirements:
- Artists must provide their own tent and display racks, which must be sturdy enough to withstand wind.
- Tents may not be staked into the ground; they must be secured with appropriate weights.
Rules and Regulations
Participation is limited to artists showing their OWN ORIGINAL WORKS OF ART created in the last three years. No kits, manufactured items, shells, T-shirts, pre-made clothing, molds, patterns, or mass-produced art will be accepted. Artist's work must correspond to the images submitted.
Artists must be present to exhibit their work. Stand-ins or proxy representatives are not permitted.
Artists are responsible for collecting and remitting Florida sales tax (7%) on all sales made during the festival.
Artists may apply in multiple categories but may exhibit only in the categories for which they are accepted.
No refunds will be issued after acceptance. Acceptance constitutes a commitment to participate.
Booths may only use battery-powered equipment. Generators and campground electrical access are prohibited.
Jury Details
- Average number of applications submitted each year: 140
- Average number of artists selected from the jury to participate in the event: 75
- How returning artists are selected: Selected by show director or board
- How images are viewed by jurors: High-definition TV
- Jurors score applications using the following scale: 1 - 5
- Number of jurors scoring applications: 3
- The show organizes the jurors for a: Single jury panel that scores applications for all medium categories
- Jurors score: Convened as a group in one room
- Jury process is open for specific times