Mystic Outdoor Art Festival 2026 - 68th Annual

The Mystic Outdoor Art Festival is the oldest juried art show in the Northeast region. The two-day festival will be held Saturday, August 8th from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Sunday, August 9th from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in Historic Downtown Mystic, spanning 2 miles along the Mystic River into the Mystic Seaport Museum shipyard. The festival showcases close to 270 artists from around the country with over a mile of fine arts and crafts including oils, watercolors, photography, textiles, sculpture, woodwork, acrylics and more. The festival is free to the public and features a Children's Art Park, Children's Art Installation, and a Performing Arts Stage with local and regional performers including dance, music, and theater.

Artists may apply in Fine Arts categories (Painting, Mixed Media, Photography, Sculpture, Watercolors, Illustration/Graphics, Pastels, Ink) or Fine Crafts categories (Ceramics, Fiber, Glass, Jewelry, Metal, Wood). All work must be original and handcrafted by the individual artist. Work will not be accepted if made from commercially available kits, premanufactured molds, embellished commercial objects, factory-made items, or pre-assembled jewelry. The jury fee is $60.00. Applicants must submit 5 images including one booth shot. Acceptances will be notified on May 14, 2026. Booth fees are not required until acceptance is confirmed. Artists placed on a waiting list will be notified immediately if space becomes available.

All exhibitors must have a valid Connecticut tax identification number and will be responsible for collecting and remitting CT sales tax. Only work of the same medium, quality, and nature as that submitted for jurying may be displayed and sold. The Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce and Mystic Outdoor Art Festival Committee reserves the right to remove work that is not consistent with submitted work or deemed unacceptable for exhibit.