OVERVIEW  The Juried  Fine Art Exhibition is the crown jewel of the Festival.  It  showcases museum quality work produced by regional fine artists.  Dates are July 27 through August 4.  The exhibition will change location in 2024 to be housed in the historic Depot Art Center at 611 R Ave, two blocks east of the main Festival thoroughfare.  

JURY   The Festival Curatorial Team will jury the 2024 show.  It includes

Rita James, Festival Creative Director and Fine Art Manager since 2001.  She was a founding member of the City of Anacortes Arts Commission and has curated art collections including Island Hospital and Anacortes Public Library; as well as facilitating numerous public art projects.

Lanny Bergner, mixed media fiber and sculptural basketry artist whose work is in museum collections including the Renwick Gallery, Smithsonian American Art Museum and Seattle Art Museum.  In November, his work opened in a retrospective show, “Iris van Herpen: Sculpting the Senses” at de Louvre in Paris; the show will move on to a world tour.

Steve Klein, glass artist and board member for the Pilchuck Glass School. He has taught, studied, and shown his art in exhibitions and workshops throughout the US, Europe, Australia, Asia and the Middle East.  He is active in exhibition management at the Museum of Northwest Art and is an outspoken arts advocate.

Lisa Kuhnlein, photographer and arts professional.  She has owned an art gallery, and currently runs a commercial photography business in Anacortes. She started her art career working for Dale Chihuly both in Seattle and then in his SoHo Studio in New York City.

AWARDS   Up to $7,000 in awards will be presented to work in the show, including a $2,000 Best of Show    

 BASIC GUIDELINES

• Applications will be accepted through café starting January 9, 2024, with a deadline of March 14, 2024.

• The show is open to artists from Washington, Oregon, Montana, Idaho and British Columbia.

• Both 2D and 3D work is accepted, as well as video and installations.  No AI generated work will be accepted.

• All work must be original, created by the applicant.  Limited editions of print mediums and bronze work will be accepted.  Giclee or other prints of originals will not be accepted.  

• Artwork must have been created within the last two years.

• There are no size restrictions for work.

• Artwork shown previously in our show, or for sale elsewhere in the Festival is ineligible.

• All accepted and displayed work must be for sale.

• The Festival retains a 50% commission on sold work.

• The Festival insurance coverage caps at $2,500 per individual piece.