Arts in Central Park 2025

Arts in Central Park is presented each year by the Decatur Area Arts Council and Gallery 510 Art and Framing, the third weekend of September in Decatur, Illinois. Now in its 62nd year, Arts in Central Park is a juried art show featuring a beautiful location in Central Park in downtown Decatur, with its historic Transfer House and magnificent fountain. The event includes kids arts activities and an art shop for kids, VIP program with guaranteed patron purchases, live entertainment, food vendors, and is free to the public. The show takes place Saturday, September 20 from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Sunday, September 21 from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

For artists, the show provides a hospitality room, assistance available for set-up and take-down, booth sitters for breaks each day, and up to $3,500 in awards. Application fee is $25 and booth fee is $150 for a 10x10 space. Artists must provide their own tent and display equipment, and no stakes are allowed due to electrical and irrigation systems. Media categories include Ceramic, Glass, Jewelry, Photography, Painting/Drawing/2D, Wood, and Other, with Best of Show plus awards for each media category.

This show is open to all artists/craftspersons who exhibit and sell work of their own concept, design, and execution. Work which is imported, produced, or manufactured will not be accepted. Artists must submit five current images of their work plus one image of their booth display. The jury panel consists of 3 jurors who score work on a scale of 1 to 5. Artists must be present both days with no agents allowed, and are responsible for collecting and paying Illinois state sales tax.