On this page:
- Deadlines & Fees
- Selection Process
- Category Descriptions
- Reproduction Policy
- Eligibility and Rules
- Artist Insurance
We are always available and eager to talk with artists, so please contact us anytime with questions, suggestions, or to chat. Learn more about ArtFest Fort Myers.
Deadlines & Fees
Application Fee: $35
Booth Fees:
1 Sided Single - 10 x 10: $517 (Includes Florida Sales Tax)
2 Sided Single - 10 x 10: $624 (Includes Florida Sales Tax)
1 Sided Double - 10 x 20: $1034(Includes Florida Sales Tax)
2 Sided Double - 10 x 20: $1140 (Includes Florida Sales Tax)
3 Sided Double End Cap-10 x 20- $1,246 (Includes Florida Sales Tax)
OPTIONAL BOOTH UPGRADES (Limited quantity available, first come first serve)
Premium Location Upgrade- $50 (Includes Florida Sales Tax)
Friday Night Participation- $100 (Includes Florida Sales Tax)
Premium Friday Night Participation- $150 (Includes Florida Sales Tax)
Important Deadlines:
May 5th, 2026: Applications Open
September 18, 2026:Application deadline
September 21 to September 25, 2026: Jury Days
October 9, 2026: Invitations sent
November 11, 2026: Acceptance by artist due
November 11, 2026: Booth fees due
December 4, 2026: Withdrawal date without forfeiture of booth fee
January 5, 2027: Artist certificate of insurance due
February 5, 2027: Artist setup, with staggered assigned load-in times beginning at 7:30 am
February 5, 2027: Opening Night, including approximately 85 festival artists from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. (participation is optional)
February 6, 2027: ArtFest Fort Myers, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
February 7, 2027: ArtFest Fort Myers, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Selection Process
ArtFest Fort Myers strives to create a balanced show that represents diverse styles and techniques in the categories defined below.
Artists are selected based upon quality of workmanship, originality and artistic conception. All work must be done solely by the displaying artists. ArtFest Fort Myers takes seriously its responsibility to exclude work not done by the artist - such as production house work or buy-sell work.
ArtFest Fort Myers uses a monitor jury either as an in-town group or remotely. The jury is a "blind jury." This means the jurors do not know the names or any other information about the artists.
ArtFest Fort Myers uses Zapplication to administer its application and jury process. Artist images can be viewed simultaneously or individually, in the order the artist uploads them to ZAPP. The booth image is always on the right (last in the series).
Artist images are scored on a seven-point scale. Jurors can't use the 4 forcing them to "get off the average fence".
The jurors, a diverse group of 5 experienced art professionals, are selected for their art background and for their appreciation of the value of art festivals. Our jury members vary each year and a festival artist is often included on this panel.
Ninety percent (90%) of the artist spaces will be selected through the jury process. The Best of Show Artists and 2025 Poster Artists have automatic acceptance to ArtFest Fort Myers 2026. The art festival also has the ability to invite artists of our choice. We expect, based on history, approximately 180 artists will be selected in the Jury Process with the remaining 20+/- being award winners, poster artists or invitees.
A waitlist, by category based on jury scores, will be established for each art medium of the festival.
Images from accepted artists will be utilized for promotion and adherence to the rules.
The decision of the jury is final.
Examples of Accepted Art
For more examples, see the online gallery. (All accepted artists are featured there.)
TIPS FOR GREAT SUBMISSIONS
Please check out the Artists Tips for some helpful tips on creating a good artwork submission. We also encourage artists to take advantage of Mock Jury online or in-person to create the strongest applications to any art festival.
- Your artwork images should fill the 1920 x 1920 space available and be cropped well to showcase your artwork. Backgrounds for 3D artwork should enhance not distract from your artwork.
- Booth image should show your booth as it is set up for an outdoor or indoor show with your work displayed, but must not reveal the artist name or have people standing in the booth.
- The Image Description and Artist Statement will be available to the jurors on their computer monitor and we ask that they read each one. Please use the Artist Statement to convey the process used to create your work and not the inspiration behind your artwork as that should speak for itself. Use your words well, get the message into one sentence that can be read quickly, it is so important for your jury score.
Category Descriptions
Work from production houses, co-ops, imported for resale, designed by the artist but not created by the artist and any other work not done by the artist will not be allowed.
The use of AI in the creation of artwork must be disclosed in artist's application.
Ceramics - Art objects either functional or decorative of earthenware, porcelain, or tile, made by shaping and then firing a nonmetallic mineral, such as clay, at a high temperature.
Digital - Pictures made with the assistance of computers. Computer Graphics are often made with software called drawing, painting, illustrating and photographic programs or applications. This category does not include artwork created with AI.
Drawing/Pastels - Drawings are works on paper using pencil, crayon, ink, charcoal, pastels and a variety of other marking media.
Fiber - Includes non-wearable artwork from fibers such as basketry, embroidery, weaving, tapestry and papermaking.
Glass - The expression of art made from blowing, fusing or other manipulation of glass.
Graphics/Printmaking - Printmaking is a transfer process of producing original art, usually in multiples. It involves creating a drawing or other composition on a surface other than paper, for transfer to paper through the use of a press or through impressions made by hand.
Jewelry - Ornaments, such as bracelets, necklaces, or rings. Made of precious metals set with gems or semi-precious gems or ceramic or glass or any other product.
Metalworks - Creating artwork through the forging, twisting and fabricating of various metals.
Mixed Media - Includes any combination of a variety of materials to create an original work of art. This artwork may be 2-D or 3-D.
Painting: Oil/Acrylic - Creation of a still life, portrait, landscape, abstract or other image on a flat surface, such as canvas, with oil and/or acrylic paint or sticks.
Painting: Watercolor - Creation of a still life, portrait, landscape, abstract or other image on a flat surface with watercolors.
Photography - Process of capturing images of objects by the action of light, then printing the images, by chemical or digital means, onto a flat surface.
Sculpture - Shaping figures or design in the round or in relief by chiseling marble, creating glass or clay or metal structures, integrating or casting metal or similar concepts.
Wearable - Includes clothing or leather goods, such as belts or purses, that can be worn.
Wood - Art objects either functional or decorative that may be hand-tooled or machine worked in wood.
Back in 2026: Emerging Artists
“At ArtFest Fort Myers, we believe in the power of emerging artists to shape the future of the arts. Our Emerging Artist Program is an exciting, hands-on mentoring journey designed to lift new talents into the spotlight. We’re here to champion the next generation of art show artists — providing them with the skills, support, and real-world experience they need to launch thriving careers. Through ArtFest Fort Myers, emerging artists don’t just exhibit — they grow, they connect, and they become part of a vibrant creative legacy!”
The first year is Education and Internship
- Participate in free workshops including financial planning, portfolio reviews, art show booth displays, and pricing work.
- Apprentice to a Professional Artist at the Art Fair.
In the second year, this next generation of artists will have the opportunity to show their work:
Highlights of this year include:
- Shared space inside our Emerging Artist Tent
- Personal financial planning
- Personal application consultation.
Requirements:
- Resides in Lee County.
- If not a local resident, must be willing to travel to Fort Myers and provide their own housing during the festival.
- Has not participated in a major juried art festival.
- Must be 18 or older to participate in this program.
- College or University is not required.
Reproduction Policy
To foster an appreciation and value of the arts in all people, including those who cannot afford original work, offering attendees the opportunity to buy reproductions is essential. As their incomes grow, they will turn to original work. This transition is possible only if buyers understand precisely what they are buying and the process behind it. Therefore, ArtFest Fort Myers' guidelines are as follows:
- All reproductions must be clearly and individually labeled as such. Labels must say "Reproduction." This will include any framed reproductions.
- Reproductions must be in signed and numbered editions.
- No hand-colored reproductions or enhanced reproductions will be considered "original" works; they will be regarded as reproductions
- Reproductions must be an ancillary part of the artist's display.
- Violators of the spirit and the letter of this policy will be asked to remove their unlabeled reproductions.
- In any dispute, the decision of the Executive Director shall prevail.
Eligibility and Rules
All work must be done solely by the displaying artists. ArtFest Fort Myers takes seriously its responsibility to exclude work not done by the artist - such as production house work or buy-sell work.
Acceptance into ArtFest Fort Myers is non-transferable. Only artwork of the accepted artist may be displayed.
Artwork must be original in design, and an artist may display and sell only in the media category in which his work has been accepted. Work displayed and sold at ArtFest Fort Myers must be consistent with work represented by jury images. Artists are prohibited from displaying or selling non-original promotional items (i.e., posters, postcards, note cards, calendars, t-shirts, etc.) at the festival.
- Commercial agents, dealers, manufacturers, or buy-sell vendors are not eligible to enter, nor can they be proxies for artists.
- Artwork produced with kits, castings from commercial molds, patterns, plans, or other commercial means is prohibited.
- No work by apprentices or employees will be accepted.
- Work from production houses, co-ops, imported for resale, designed by the artist but not created by the artist and any other work not done by the artist will not be allowed.
- The use of AI in the creation of artwork must be disclosed in artist's application.
Tent Rental: Artist desiring to rent a tent and/or booth setup may do so only through Tents4Events - they supply artist-style tents and equipment. No other tent rental companies are allowed. Artist must notify ArtFest Fort Myers that they are using a rental tent through Tents4Events.
Collaborators: If two or more persons collaborate to produce original work, each person must be identified on the application. Collaborations are to be true artistic collaboration rather than business collaboration. For example, framing or printing work does not constitute a creative partnership. Therefore, individuals involved in those processes should not be listed on the application as a partner or collaborator.
Sales Tax: Artists are responsible for collecting and paying 6.5% of Florida sales tax. Lee County is the collection area.
Liability insurance: Artists are responsible for procuring and maintaining their liability insurance and must provide ArtFest Fort Myers with a Certificate of Insurance must name ArtFest For Myers as Additional Insured (wording shown below) by the deadline and stated above under the heading "Deadlines and Fees."
Withdrawal: Artists may withdraw from ArtFest Fort Myers and receive a refund of their Booth Fee (less $85) if a written request is received on or before the deadline specified above under the heading "Deadlines and Fees." No refunds will be issued after that date. ArtFest Fort Myers is a rain-or-shine festival. No refunds will be issued for weather, pandemics or other acts of God.
On-site at ArtFest Fort Myers:
Artists and all collaborating partners must be present on-site with their booths for business during the festival. If two names are on the application, both must check in, show photo ID, and be present for the festival.
- Artists must confine their setup to the space allocated by ArtFest Fort Myers and not infringe on neighboring artists' space or pedestrian/vehicle passage space. Space allocations are based on Fire Marshall rules, and no infringements will be tolerated. This has always been our policy, but it is now necessary to add it to the written rules for enforcement.
- Original art must occupy at least 50% of the artist's wall space. All artwork on walls must be framed or otherwise professionally hung. Browse bins may occupy only minimal space and must be aesthetically pleasing and not obstruct patron flow. All artwork displayed must be for sale.
- Limited edition, signed, and numbered reproductions of artwork are allowed. Artists must define "limited edition" in their Artist Information Statement and disclose their reproduction process to buyers.
- Artists must display an Artist Information Statement in a prominent place within their booth. Materials and processes used must be disclosed in this statement.
- Displaying ribbons and awards from previous shows or other shows is not allowed.
- Artists must comply with all safety requirements, including weighted tents, and vehicles must be parked only in designated areas.
- No artist-owned animals are allowed in or around Artists' booths.
- Artists sitting in a chair outside their booth in attendee walking areas must use High Chairs Only! Having a lower-type chair in the way of attendee traffic is a tripping hazard and safety concern. This has always been our policy, but it is now necessary to add it to the written rules for enforcement.
- Artists must park in designated Artist Parking only - it is nearby and has trolley service to and from the lot.
- Artists cannot park their vans, trailers, RV, or similar within two blocks of the entrance areas or perimeter of the festival site at any time over the festival weekend or during setup and breakdown preparation. This is a Homeland Security issue for the perimeter of an outdoor event as large as ArtFest Fort Myers. The Festival perimeter area will be monitored for artist vans, trucks, etc., close to the festival site. If an artist's vehicle is found within the festival's defined perimeter, they will be notified to move their vehicle, or the vehicle will be towed.
