Open · Closes in 49 days
Applications close
Dec 1, 202611:59 PM EST49 days left to apply
Closes Dec 1, 2026 · 49 days left
Open · Closes in 49 days
Applications close
Dec 1, 202611:59 PM EST49 days left to apply
Closes Dec 1, 2026 · 49 days left
Festival · St. Petersburg, FL, United States · 1 program
The Mainsail Art Festival, a non-profit organization run entirely by volunteers, celebrates its 52nd year on Saint Petersburg's magnificent and scenic Vinoy Park waterfront. The festival's location is surrounded by upscale residences, unique galleries, charming shops, sidewalk cafes and a nearby entertainment complex. Drawing upwards of 100,000 festivalgoers each year, many savvy art collectors look forward to seeing more than 250 of the most accomplished artists from around the country who exhibit each year.
Mainsail is considered one of the top juried art shows in the country, and is consistently ranked by Sunshine Artist Magazine as one of the Top 50 Fine Art & Design Shows in the country. Sunshine Artist Magazine ranked Mainsail Art Festival as #14 of the top 200 fine art festivals in the country based on a 10 year period.
Mainsail awards a total of $60,000 in prize money:
To be paid with a credit card via ZAPPlication.org. No checks or money orders will be accepted.
Only those fine craftsmen and artists accepted into the show and displaying their own original work may participate. No proxy exhibitors will be allowed. All artwork must be original work done by the artist (and/or Co-Artist) since January 1, 2024. All artwork must be for sale.
Every exhibitor must prominently display a copy of their Artist Statement in their booth, describing the technique, materials and processes used in the creation of their entire body of work.
Mechanical reproductions must be matted, clearly labeled "Reproductions," displayed in a browse bin, and may not be sold as framed art or hung alongside original works. Ceramic, wood, glass and metal artworks must be handmade by the artist; no machine-made or mass produced artwork is allowed.
Exhibit spaces measure approximately 12'x12', and all spaces are on grass. Spaces may not be shared. No generators are permitted in or around artists' booths and electricity is not available, even for an extra fee.
$60,000 in total prize money across multiple award tiers; no stipend or fee waiver for exhibiting.
Booth Space
12 ft x 12 ft
Compensation details
Prize Money totals $60,000: Best of Mainsail Gold Award (1) $10,000; Mainsail Silver Award (1) $5,000; Mainsail Bronze Awards (2) $2,500 each; Awards of Excellence (10) $1,500 each; Awards of Distinction (15) $1,000 each; Awards of Merit (20) $500 each; Purchase Awards (10) $200 each. Judging is based on the overall quality of all artwork exhibited rather than individual pieces.
One item to prepare.
Requirements
Only fine craftsmen and artists accepted into the show and displaying their own original work may participate. All artwork must be original work done by the artist (and/or Co-Artist) since January 1, 2024. No proxy exhibitors, buy & sell items, or manufactured/kit crafts allowed.
Applications close
Dec 1, 202611:59 PM EST
Applications are scored by a single jury panel of 5 jurors on a 1–5 scale, viewed on a computer monitor in random order within each medium category, convened as a group in one room. The jury process is closed to observation. Returning artists may also be selected based on a prior award or on-site jury selection.
Festival · St. Petersburg, FL, United States
A volunteer-run, non-profit fine art and design festival held annually in Vinoy Park, St. Petersburg, Florida.
One item to prepare.