Art on the Commons 2026

Art on the Commons is a fine arts and crafts festival in its 38th year, organized by Rosewood Arts Center, a division of the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts department of the City of Kettering. The festival features approximately one hundred artists from around the country and is held in a scenic park within the vibrant Dayton area. The festival includes live music and attracts several thousand art lovers annually.

Artists apply online through ZAPPlication by March 31, 2026. A $20 non-refundable jury fee is required with the application, payable by credit card via ZAPPlication or by check mailed to Rosewood Arts Center, 2655 Olson Drive, Kettering, Ohio 45420. Separate applications and ZAPP profiles are required for each category entered. Jurying occurs in April 2026, with artist notifications sent May 14. Accepted artists must pay booth fees by May 28, 2026, and sign an artist contract agreement. The cancellation deadline with booth fee refund is June 12, 2026. The festival takes place on August 9, 2026.

Eligible categories include Ceramics, Fiber and Leather, Glass, Jewelry, Mixed Media, Painting, Photography and Digital Art, Printmaking and Works on Paper, Sculpture, and Wood. Only original, hand-produced work is accepted; no kits, handicrafts, or manufactured items are permitted. All submitted images must represent work produced within the last two years that will be offered for sale. A booth image is required showing the artist's body of work, dimension, scale, and overall presentation. The jury consists of three arts professionals selected for their experience and expertise in specific media. Jurors evaluate work based on presentation, quality, originality, technical ability, and booth display. On-site jurors at the festival ensure quality standards are maintained. Exhibiting work not juried into the festival is grounds for removal from the show.