---
title: Mainsail Art Festival 2027
description: >-
  Juried outdoor art festival on Saint Petersburg, FL's Vinoy Park waterfront;
  $60,000 in prize money, $35 jury fee.
url: 'https://www.artsume.com/programs/c8be2452-89b5-4709-bc48-2508ed1293b6'
type: program
status: open
createdAt: '2026-10-07'
updatedAt: '2026-10-11'
programType: Festival/fair
organization: Mainsail Art Festival
organizationUrl: 'https://www.artsume.com/o/mainsail-art-festival'
deadline: '2026-12-01'
entryFee: 35 USD
location: 'Vinoy Park, Saint Petersburg, FL, United States'
isOnline: false
compensationRange: >-
  $60,000 in total prize money across multiple award tiers; no stipend or fee
  waiver for exhibiting.
---

# Mainsail Art Festival 2027

**Hosted by:** Mainsail Art Festival

**Type:** Festival/fair | **Location:** Vinoy Park, Saint Petersburg, FL, United States | **Deadline:** December 1, 2026 | **Entry fee:** $35

## About This Program

### About the Festival

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.

### Prize Money

Mainsail awards a total of $60,000 in prize money:

- Best of Mainsail Gold Award (1) $10,000
- Mainsail Silver Award (1) $5,000
- Mainsail Bronze Awards (2) $2,500
- Awards of Excellence (10) $1,500
- Awards of Distinction (15) $1,000
- Awards of Merit (20) $500
- Purchase Awards (10) $200

### Fees

To be paid with a credit card via ZAPPlication.org. No checks or money orders will be accepted.

- $35.00 jury fee – Non refundable
- $425.00 single exhibition space (booth) fee
- $950.00 double exhibition (booth) fee

### Rules and Regulations

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.

### Booth Information

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.

### Jury Details

- Average number of applications submitted each year: 800
- Average number of artists selected from the jury: 250
- Average number of exempt-from-jury artists invited: 29
- Number of jurors scoring applications: 5
- Jurors score on a 1–5 scale, convened as a group in one room
- Jury process is closed

## Eligibility & Requirements

- **Geographic Eligibility:** National
- **Disciplines:** All disciplines
- **Note:** 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.

### Additional Requirements

- 4 images (a booth shot is required)
- Jury fee: $35.00
- Up to 2 applications/categories may be submitted

## Compensation & Benefits

$60,000 in total prize money across multiple award tiers; no stipend or fee waiver for exhibiting.

**Includes:** Prize

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.

## Timeline

- **Opens:** October 6, 2026
- **Deadline:** December 1, 2026

## How to Apply

Apply at: https://www.zapplication.org/event-info.php?ID=14827