Central Park Art Festival 2026

Emerald Art Festivals, in partnership with the City of Mishawaka, presents the inaugural Central Park Art Festival, a two-day, family-friendly fine art event held in scenic Central Park in Mishawaka, Indiana. The festival will feature approximately 200 juried fine artists representing a wide range of media, along with food trucks, live music throughout the weekend, interactive experiences for families, and designated children's activity areas. Morning programming will highlight local schools and youth performances, followed by afternoon and early evening live music, including regional and tribute bands. The event is designed to create strong artist visibility and meaningful engagement with patrons through wide walkways, booth layouts that encourage browsing, and a focus on high-quality presentation. With free admission and strong community support, the festival is expected to attract approximately 2,000 attendees per day.

Approximately 200 booth spaces are available in a standard 10' x 10' layout. Artists keep 100% of their sales. Load-in is available Friday or Saturday morning, with artists able to drive up to or near their booth space for unloading. Designated artist parking and overnight security are provided. Equipment rentals (tents, tables, chairs) are not provided. Limited booth sitting assistance and setup/take-down help may be available by request. Discounted hotel options will be provided to traveling artists after acceptance.

Application deadline is March 31, 2026, with a $25 application fee ($35 late fee after April 1, 2026). Artists may submit up to 2 applications. Jury images must include 4 images with a booth shot required. Accepted artists will be notified April 15, 2026, with booth fees due May 15, 2026. The festival runs July 25-26, 2026. All artwork must be original work created by the artist. Photography and digital art must be original and printed by the artist or under their direct supervision. AI-assisted work must clearly disclose its use, with the applying artist as the primary creative author. Accepted artists must be present during all festival hours. A wait list will be created based on jury scores, and wait-listed artists may be contacted up to and including the day of the event if a booth becomes available.