Cobleskill Art In Action Festival & Auction

This festival brings art to life by allowing artists to actively demonstrate their talent to the public in three categories of events;

"Quick Draw" artists - a 90-minute timed expo and auction (Produce a finished piece of work then have it sold immediately following in a high-energy live auction!)
Structured activity artists - Invite the public to participate while you demonstrate your talent (workshops, kids activities demonstrations, etc.)
Artist vendors - sell your work while working on a piece for the public to witness your talent
Yes, you can participate in more than one type of event!
How to apply
Details and instructions:

Please select which activities you would like to participate in. Detailed information about each category is shown below this section. Only one booth/site reservation is needed if participating in multiple categories. Field is limited to 25 Quick Draw artists and a total of 25 artists from remaining categories.
Please enter a brief bio and upload samples of work for consideration to be selected. A maximum 500-word artist bio statement is required. It must describe your medium, techniques/process, and the number and role of any assistants. Quick Draw applications are reviewed through a blind jury process. If applying to the Quick Draw category, your name or business name must not appear anywhere in your artist bio or on the images of your work.
Applicants, if selected will be notified by early May. Once selected, a $75 site/booth security deposit is required to be submitted by May 20th, and will be refunded after 4pm on the day of the festival. No shows, late arrivals, early departures or cancellations within one week of the festival are not eligible for deposit refund. Booth space/sites are preassigned, are at least 10x10 and can accommodate a pop-up canopy/tent (not supplied). Limited larger sites are available.
The artists holding a site/booth must be present. No stand-in exhibitors or sales representatives.
Quick Draw Artist Information:

Quick Draw Artists will have exactly 90 minutes from 10–11:30 AM to create a complete work of art from a blank surface. Immediately following, works are to be framed or prepared for display (if applicable) and moved to the auction block. We understand that some works require further processing (example: clay sculptures to bronzes) to become salable finished pieces, so deposits may be taken from successful bidders with delivery of finished work to occur at a later date. Proceeds from the auction will be split equally between the artist (50%) and CPI (50%) to support future community programming. This is a juried event. Only 25 artists will be selected to participate to ensure a high-caliber experience for bidders. Artists will be selected on the basis of technical skill, originality and a technique that demonstrates speed/efficiency (a style that can be successfully executed in 90 minutes). The Quick Draw theme is for this year's festival is "America 250". Artists are asked to align their work to this theme at their discretion. If you are also selling your work, you must check "Artist Vendor" below. After the auction, artists are encouraged to participate at their booth/site through the remainder of the festival and may participate in another Artist Category (Structured Activity or Vendor).

Structured Activity Artist Information:

Structured Activity Artists will provide demonstrations, exhibitions, workshops, or interactive experiences for attendees from 9 am - 4 pm. No fees are to be charged to festival attendees for participating in a structured activity unless they leave with a finished piece of work. Price and fee collected by the activity artist, if charging a price, must be visible and made known to participants. If you are also selling your work, you must check "Artist Vendor" as well. We would like to host a diverse group of activities including those for children, people with disabilities, and the community as a whole (such as a community mural).

Artist Vendor Information:

Artist Vendors will be selling your own original (no kits) artwork while producing work live at your booth from 9 am - 4 pm. Pieces of work for sale may have been produced in advance of the festival however, we want you to demonstrate to the public your technique on-site throughout the festival. You are solely responsible for collecting and remitting your own sales tax and are required to comply with all state and local tax laws. A 10% commission on all your sales is collected by CPI to support future programming. (honor system).

Application Deadlines
Quick Draw applications 04/15/2026
Activity Artists & Artist Vendors 04/30/2026