Lake Wales Arts Festival, 56th Annual

The Lake Wales Arts Festival is a two-day juried art festival presented by the Lake Wales Arts Council, celebrating over 55 years of tradition. The festival attracts thousands of art lovers and features approximately 75 exhibiting artists competing for more than $20,000 in awards.

Artists may apply in 13 categories: Emerging Artist, Clay & Porcelain, Digital, Drawing & Pastels, Fiber, Fine Crafts, Glass, Graphics & Print Making, Jewelry, Mixed Media, Painting, Photography, and Sculpture. Applications must include four .jpg images (three individual artworks and one booth display photo) and are due by Sunday, January 3, 2027. Jury fees are $30 per category if submitted by September 30, 2026; $35 from October 1-December 31, 2026; and $50 from January 1, 2027 onward. Accepted artists pay a $195 exhibit booth fee. Jurying is completed by January 7, 2027, with acceptance notifications emailed in early January.

Awards total $22,000, including Best of Show ($4,000), Judge's Award for Exceptional Work (2 @ $2,000), Award of Excellence (4 @ $1,000), Award of Distinction (5 @ $600), Award of Merit (5 @ $350), and Emerging Artist Award ($250). The festival also features a "Gift of Art" Purchase Program ($5,000 or more). The event takes place February 26-28, 2027, with registration and setup on Friday, February 26 (11:00am-5:00pm) and Saturday, February 27 (8:00am-9:00am). Festival hours are Saturday 10:00am-4:00pm and Sunday 10:00am-4:00pm. Artists must provide their own 10x10 tent and display racks secured with weights (no staking). Exhibit spaces must remain fully set up by 9:00am Saturday and remain through 4:00pm Sunday. Only original works created in the last three years are accepted. Artists must be present to exhibit their work and wear provided festival name tags. Cancellations received before 4:00pm EST on Friday, February 5, 2027 receive a full refund minus a $100 processing fee; no refunds after that date.