Stockley Gardens Spring Arts Festival 2026

Hope House Foundation, an agency that provides support services to people with disabilities, is celebrating its 42nd year of hosting the Stockley Gardens Arts Festival. The juried festival, located in beautiful Stockley Gardens Park in the heart of historic Ghent, draws thousands of people over the course of the weekend and in addition to fine art, features a wide variety of foods, music, and children's activities. Our festival has been called Hampton Roads' best arts festival and was named one of the top outdoor art events in Eastern Virginia by Virginia Living Magazine.

The festival takes place Saturday, May 16, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm and Sunday, May 17, 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm. Accepted medium categories include Drawing, Glass, Jewelry, Leather, Metal, Mixed Media, Painting, Photography, Pottery, Printmaking, Sculpture, and Wood. Body care items, food items, and clothing are not accepted. Artists must provide their own display units for 10'x10' standard spaces, with 1.5 and double spaces also available. Electricity is not provided.

Awards include The Helen G. Gifford Foundation Best in Show ($3,500), The Alexis Reass 1st Place Award ($2,000), The Melayna Sophia 2nd Place Award ($1,000), 3rd Place Award ($500), Award of Merit ($150), Edward G. Carson Memorial Award ($250), and Randy Smith Memorial Award ($100). A free artists' reception with live music takes place Saturday evening from 5 to 7 pm on the main stage. Application fee is $40 per medium, booth fees are $275 for single space, $415 for 1.5 space, and $550 for double space. Artists who won Best in Show, 1st, 2nd & 3rd place awards in Fall 2025 are exempt from jury selection.