“I felt the show was well run with a large turnout and a diversity among those who attended.” – 2023 exhibitor
If you’re an artist or creator of one of a kind goods, we invite you to apply to the 2026 ArtsFest, part of the 44th annual West Central Home and Garden Tour.
ArtsFest
September 12 & 13, 2025
Historic West Central
downtown Fort Wayne, Indiana
11 am to 5 pm
Deadline: July 10
(all applicants will be contacted within two weeks after this date)
We think you’ll love spending the weekend with us in our historic neighborhood during its very popular home and garden tour. The West Central neighborhood is on the National Historic Register and ArtsFest takes place in the street in front of these revived workers’ cottages and restored mansions.
Imagine your booth set among shady trees and enjoy the easy-going vibe, where the residents show off their unique homes to old house lovers. The event regularly brings in about 3,000 people who attend the tour every year and love the ambiance of the neighborhood.
- Limited to 50 artists.
- Application fee: $10 (non-refundable)
- Booth fee: $75 (by 8/15), $90-late
- Deadline: July 10
Expect:
- easy setup, drive up to your booth, short hours, helpful volunteers
- booth size is 10×10
- cool food trucks, live music and buyers that appreciate unique and one of a kind goods.
- a friendly place to spend the weekend AND you can’t beat the booth fee!
- free lodging in neighborhood homes*
*Lodging subject to availability.
Categories:
2D and 3D mixed media, clay, drawing, fiber, glass, leather, metal, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, jewelry and wood
No buy/sell allowed. You are required to be the creator of the work you will be displaying.
Jury process
- All artists applying to ArtsFest must be juried.
- Jurors are selected for their experience and expertise in a specific media and understanding of that media. Selection of artists will be based on originality, creativity, design, technique, craftsmanship, and production methodology.
- Upload 3 images consistent with the work you will be exhibiting in the fair, plus one booth image.
- Applicants will be contacted after the July 1 deadline.
Rules/Regulations
- Artists must be present at check-in and throughout the duration of the event.
- All work must be designed and hand-made by the accepted artist. Commercially cast jewelry, molds, and imported or commercially-made products (including fiber/wearables) are NOT ACCEPTABLE. No DIY kits can be displayed or sold.
- Booth spaces are approximately 10 x 10 with storage space behind. Booth spacing this year WILL accommodate social distancing protocol to be determined at the time of the event. Artists are responsible for providing their own tents, display units, and weather protection.
The application fee and booth fee must be paid directly to the West Central Neighborhood Association using PayPal. You MUST pay your application fee when you submit your application. You will be invoiced for your booth fee after you have been accepted to the art fair.
Questions? Email us at info@westcentralneighborhood.org, and we’ll direct you to the correct person.
Are you a local non-profit organization or for-profit business (but not an artist) interested in having a booth at our event? We take a limited number of these each year. Click here to apply.
