2026 Art In The Pearl Festival of Fine Arts & Crafts:
Applications are now CLOSED for our 2026 show.
Below is our information for how to apply which will be similar next year. Applications for our 2027 show will open on November 15th, 2026 and close on February 15th, 2027.
Here is the information for our 2026 Festival. Please read our prospectus and rules carefully to assure a successful application.
2026 Art In The Pearl Prospectus
The 30th annual Art In The Pearl Fine Arts & Crafts Festival takes place Labor Day weekend Saturday, September 5 through Monday, September 7, 2026. The show is located in the North Park Blocks of the Pearl District in Portland, Oregon. 140 exceptional visual artists have been selected to exhibit by an independent jury panel composed of both working artists and art professionals. The Emerging Artist Program provides regional artists in the early stage of their art career an opportunity to gain experience marketing and showing their work. In addition to the exhibiting artists, the show offers art education, demonstrations and performance art.
Art In The Pearl is a nonprofit organization founded and produced by a dedicated volunteer board of directors composed of local professional artists. Our focus is on promoting the arts, educating the public and strengthening creative and educational bonds with the community.
We acknowledge that the history and culture of arts and crafts shows have not been inclusive to BIPOC artists historically and currently. We are working to dismantle this structure, and our own, to generate a more equitable space for artists and arts workers. All are welcome to our show and to apply. BIPOC, LGBTQUI2S+ artists and people from historically marginalized communities are especially encouraged to apply.
– Art In The Pearl Board of Directors
2026 Artist Prospectus & Application
The 30th annual Art In The Pearl Fine Arts & Crafts Festival consists of 140 artists. Art In The Pearl will invite the top scoring juried artists to exhibit at the 2026 event. A waitlist is also determined based on jury scores. This three day event gives patrons the special opportunity to meet and purchase art from exhibiting artists in-person.
Important Dates
Application Deadline:
February 15, 2026
Jury Notifications:
April 1, 2026
Deadline to accept invitation to participate and pay booth fee:
May 15, 2026
Last day to cancel participation in 2025 show and still receive 50% booth fee refund less the $45 admin fee:
June 30, 2026
Load-In/Set-up:
Friday, September 4, 2026
Festival Dates/Hours:
Saturday, September 5, 2026, 10am – 5pm
Sunday, September 6, 2026, 10am – 5pm
Monday, September 7, 2026, 10am – 4pm
Jury Selection and Process
A total of 140 artists will be chosen to exhibit through a highly competitive jury process. Applicants remain anonymous during the jury process. All of the jurors will view each artist’s set of images on a monitor in a horizontal grouping. The materials, dimensions for each image and artist statements will be made available to the jury. Artistic excellence and innovation are the sole criteria for selection of exhibitors. The five jurors will view all artist images at the same time. Scoring is based on originality, design, technical proficiency, and craftsmanship. All scores are combined and averaged. Art in the Pearl establishes no quota or entitlement by media category. The top scoring artists receive invitations to exhibit. Remaining applicants in the final round are placed on a waiting list of alternates. Decisions of the jury panel are final. We reserve the right to move applications into the most appropriate category.
Monitor Jury: Images are viewed simultaneously from left to right horizontally.
Jurors: There will be five jurors composed of professional artists, art educators and gallerists. (See our 2026 jurors at the end of this document.)
Jury Format: Two days: First day scoring Yes, No, Maybe and second day scoring 1-10
Applications for Jury: Sorted by the date the application is received
Digital Images:
– Five images are required for each application. Four images must be of individual pieces of work (No groupings). The fifth image must be a booth shot. If you are applying as an emerging artist or it is your first time applying to an art fair, please submit professional photos of your work in a gallery or displayed as a body of work.
– The purpose of the booth image is to ensure the artist has a complete body of work which is represented both in the first four images and also within the fifth image. It also helps identify the scale of the artist’s work.
– Note: This is a blind jury process. Applications with identifying information will not be shown to the judges. Do not submit any booth images with any identifiable signage, photos, name or business names of the artist(s)!
– In addition, any work outside of the medium and context of the 4 images submitted that may appear in the booth shot will not be considered accepted by the jury, due to its mere presence in the booth image. If artists have multiple bodies of work, Art In The Pearl encourages them to submit these in separate applications.
– Images: 4 images of work + 1 booth image are required.
Collaborating Artists
Artists submitting an application as a collaborating artist or partnership must submit the names of both collaborators with the application. Artists may not add a partner after the jury.
Waitlist
Artists will be notified if they are on the waitlist and if a spot becomes available. Please do not call.
The Regional Emerging Artist Program
The Emerging Artist Program is designed to assist regional (Oregon and Washington based) artists who have minimal to no experience exhibiting and selling their artwork. Artists who are in the early stage of their art career and/or have made a recent career change to art are encouraged to apply. Emerging artists may not have previously participated in more than 2 juried art shows and/or gallery exhibitions. Acceptance to the Emerging Artist Program will be determined by a combination of jury scores and committee review.
Upon acceptance, emerging artists will pay a discounted booth fee of $350 and will exhibit in a 10×10 booth space. Art In The Pearl will provide the canopy. Emerging artists will be responsible for their own display setup. Art In The Pearl will provide a mentor to help guide the emerging artist participant through the details of festival preparation, display, and sales.
– If a booth image is not available, submit an image taken of a grouping of works representative of the works to be exhibited at the show.
Artists may apply to either the Emerging Artist Program or the general show, but they may not apply to both. Art In The Pearl reserves the right to prescreen and research any emerging artist applicant to make sure they conform with the requirements for this category and have the level of experience represented in the application.
Booth Fees and Acceptance of Offer to Exhibit
Notifications will be sent via email April 1, 2026. Selected artists must confirm and pay the booth fee in Zapplication by May 15, 2026. Failure to respond by May 15, 2026 will result in revocation of the invitation and immediate invitation of an alternate from the waitlist. A $45 administration fee will be charged if an artist withdraws after having submitted booth payment. The applicant is responsible for keeping their contact information current on their Zapplication profile. Please see the detailed refund policy in General Rules and Regulations.
Booth Fee:
10 wide x 10 deep – $750
15 wide x 10 deep – $1155
20 wide x 10 deep – $1395
Emerging Artist Program 10 wide x 10 deep – $350.
Sales
Art In The Pearl is a nonprofit organization that receives no commission on the sales of artwork. Artists keep all proceeds. There is no sales tax in Oregon.
Admission
Our extensive marketing program is directed towards a diverse population from the Portland metro area, as well as a nationwide audience. Admission is free to the public.
Artist Statement
The application requires a description of materials, process, and technique. Please describe your work and process, not your philosophy or inspiration. This statement (to be posted in your booth) is part of our mission to educate the public.
Awards
Three Best of Show awards are given to artists for outstanding work, and the Mel Stiles Award for Creative Achievement in Craft. Award winners are invited to return in their awarded category the following year, and the three Best of Show winners receive a cash prize. The artists will be featured on the Art In The Pearl website and social media platforms.
Media Categories
Media categories are used by Art In The Pearl as a tool for organizing artistsʼ images into logical, related groups for the juryʼs review. While a balanced show that equitably showcases both works of fine art and craft, as well as diversity among media is a principal objective, Art In The Pearl establishes no quota or entitlement by media category.
2-D Mixed Media: includes any combination of a variety of materials used to create an original work of art that is by design to be displayed on walls with a one-sided orientation.
3-D Mixed Media: incorporates more than one type of physical material to form an original work of art visible from 360 degrees.
Ceramics: all original clay work other than jewelry is accepted in this category. No machine-made or mass produced work is permitted. Work produced from commercial molds is not acceptable. No more than 15% of display may consist of slip cast work which has been designed by the Artist. If multiple pieces of the same design are displayed, each piece must be signed.
Digital Art: this category includes any original work created solely by the artist utilizing computer technology to craft visual images. Work must be properly signed and numbered as a limited edition, not exceeding 250 per image, using only archival quality materials. Traditional photographs taken through a digital media should apply in the Photography category. No work printed on canvas will be accepted for display at the Festival.
Drawing: compositions that are created by the artistʼs hand using dry media including chalk, charcoal, pastels, pencil, wax crayon, etc. or from the fluid medium of inks and washes applied by pen or brush are to be entered in this category.
Fiber: all work crafted from fibers including basketry, embroidery, weaving, tapestry, leather work, batiking, and papermaking. No machine tooling, machine-screened patterns or other forms of mass production are permitted. All pre-manufactured
wearable items are prohibited, regardless of additional modification or enhancement by the artist. The Fiber Wearable category includes all items that are worn or used for adornment.
Glass: No forms of mass production are permitted. All pre-manufactured items are prohibited, regardless of additional modification or enhancement by the artist.
Jewelry: all jewelry, whether the work is produced from metal, glass, clay, fiber, paper, plastic or other materials, must be entered in this category. Work must be designed, created and executed by the artist. All work displayed must be similar in style, quality and method to the work presented in the artistʼs images. No more than 15% of a piece may consist of commercial findings, and no commercial casts, molds or production studio work is allowed.
Metalwork: original work created through the forging, twisting and fabricating of various metals. No production studio work is allowed.
Painting: original compositions created by the artistʼs hand in oils, acrylics, watercolor etc. are in this category.
Photography: Photographers are encouraged to do their own printing. Photographic prints made from the artist’s original image, which have been processed by that artist are included in this category. Photographers are required to disclose a detailed process description.
***All work must be signed, numbered, and dated in limited editions of no more than 250 per image***
No photographic images printed on canvas are allowed. The photography category includes hand colored, Polaroid transfers, emulsion transfers, etc. Please do not enter such work in the Mixed Media category. Signage of an overtly commercial nature listing the availability of numerous sizes, print surfaces and/or framing options is prohibited.
Printmaking: defined as multiple originals where the artistʼs hand has manipulated the plates, stones, blocks, composite reliefs, or screens. Prints must be properly signed and numbered in limited editions not to exceed 250. Printmakers are required to disclose both their creative and printmaking processes.
Sculpture: three-dimensional original work incorporating any materials that are designed and executed by the artist. Any work that is reproduced must be signed and numbered. No production studio work is permitted.
Wood: original works in wood that are hand-tooled, machine-worked, turned or carved.
Booth Information:
– Artists are responsible for appropriate insurance, the security of their belongings, and protection of work and display. Art In The Pearl will not be responsible for damage to work or display due to weather or unrelated incidents.
– Accepted Artists will be allocated a space measuring 10ʼ deep by 10ʼ wide for their display. (A limited number of double wide booths are available.)
– Artists are to provide their own display structure appropriate for an outdoor event. Booths must be of sound construction, conform to fire code regulations, and must be capable of withstanding inclement weather.
– If an exhibitor does not have a tent, a local rental company is available for assistance.
– Artists are responsible for the back, sides, and top of the booth. Please keep your back-storage and back of the booth area neat and covered. Booths must be visually presentable to adjoining booths and must not obstruct or endanger neighboring booths or the general public.
– Artists must confine booth structure and all work, boxes, chairs, and other display materials within the allotted exhibit space.
– Contracted security will be provided 6:30pm Friday until load-out Monday evening.
– There will be a security fence around the perimeter of the show installed Friday and will remain up through the duration of the event.
– Browse bins may occupy no more than 15% of booth space, must be aesthetically pleasing, and may not obstruct traffic flow.
***These requirements will be enforced for reasons of safety and crowd control, at the sole discretion of the Art In The Pearl.
Fees
Upon receipt of an acceptance letter, the selected artist is required to reserve and pay for their booth space through Zapplication by May 15, 2026, if they wish to exhibit.
The following are the booth space fees
10ʼ wide x 10ʼ deep – $750
15′ wide x 10′ deep – $1155
20ʼ wide x 10ʼ deep- $1395
Emerging Artist 10′ x 10′ – $350
Electricity – 600 watts – $95
All space is subject to availability at the time of reservation.
Refund Policy
In the event of a cancellation, Art In The Pearl will refund 50% of the booth fees and rentals paid in advance if Art In The Pearl receives written notice of cancellation no later than June 30, 2026. Application/jury fee, electricity and parking are nonrefundable, and no other refunds will be made for cancellations after June 30. A $45 administration fee will be charged if an artist withdraws after having submitted booth payment. In the event that Art In The Pearl withdraws its invitation to an artist or removes an artist from the show for violating a rule or policy, any prepaid booth fees will not be refunded.
Thank you for your interest in Art In The Pearl Fine Arts & Crafts Festival!
– Art In The Pearl Board of Directors
2026 Jurors
Kristin Mitsu Shiga
(she/they) is a maker, educator and small business owner with more than 30 years of experience currently living and working in rural Oregon. Throughout her career, Kristin’s desire to balance her individual studio practice and working as part of a larger team allowed her to build an unusual skill set that includes everything from nonprofit arts administration and bookkeeping to armature-building for stop-motion animation studios. From a long line of educators, Kristin is passionate about teaching and has shared her knowledge with students at venues all over the US including Penland, Arrowmont and Haystack Mountain schools of craft, along with programs she established in New York, Oregon and Hawai’i.
Kristin believes that service is a crucial component of any career and has served in a variety of volunteer roles and on numerous nonprofit boards since 2001. She currently serves on the boards of the Hawai’i Artist Collaboration and Frogwood Artist Collaboration, and is in her second term as Secretary of the Board of Directors of the American Craft Council (ACC).
Kristin has shown her work internationally, and is included in several notable collections, including the Kamm Artful Teapot Collection and the Permanent Collection of the White House. You will find her work published in numerous books and magazines, including Art Jewelry Today, The Art of Enameling, Metalsmith’s 2017 Exhibition in Print, and several of Lark’s 500 Series books. Learn more about Kristin’s past work on Oregon Artbeat (segment originally aired in 2010).
Diane French
Over the course of her career, Diane has worked with many materials and mediums including traditional and non-traditional drawing; oil, acrylic and watercolor painting; intaglio, silkscreen and woodcut printmaking, traditional and experimental handweaving and loom weaving; wheelthrown and handbuilt clay; cast polyester resin, film photography, and others. For the past 30+ years she has worked primarily with dry powdered materials including pigments, metals, and mica.
She has been recognized with awards from shows across the country including Minneapolis, Atlanta, Des Moines, Houston, Madison, Fort Worth, Chicago, and others. She has been the featured artist for the Milwaukee Lakefront Festival of Arts, and collected by the University of Miami, Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, Hallmark Corporation, and many other notable companies and individuals. She is especially proud of the charitable organizations, special commissions, and social and counseling services who have used her work.
Diane plans to continue working for the higher good, beyond culture or tradition, to promote the connections that we all share.
Jeribai Andrew-jaja
In my search for purpose, I discovered my unrivaled passion for arts to express my feelings and life experiences and tell my story of self love and freedom through realistic drawings. I believe every one has similar experiences but unique stories and I choose to tell my story using my Art. My Artworks are inspired by my quest for total self love and acceptance which I believe is man’s supernatural power. “I don’t draw, I create emotions on paper.”
Anthony Hansen
Anthony Hansen is a metal artist that works primarily with found automotive sheet-metal. Born and raised in Northern California, he graduated with degrees in Liberal Studies and Fine Art and received his teaching credential in Elementary Education. His work is shown nationally at different fine art festivals and galleries.
Natalie Warrens
Currently Natalie maintains a full-time ceramic studio in Portland, Oregon.
Born in 1960, Natalie was exposed to the arts at a very young age and began to pursue a career in art during high school. She received her Bachelor of Arts from Portland State
University in 1984, and immediately continued her studies at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, earning a Master of Fine Arts in Ceramics in 1986.
Natalie began selling her work in the Chicago area while also teaching ceramics part-time at both the university level and in Chicago’s public schools as a visiting artist. Much of her inspiration came from these teaching experiences, especially while working with children. Their spontaneity and daring use of color continues to influence Natalie’s
work.
Natalie returned to Portland in 1991 working full-time as an artist/potter.
She exhibits and sells her work in local and national juried shows and galleries. She has
been a member of the Oregon Potters Association since 1992, and was a board member for Art in the Pearl from 2011-2016.
Art In The Pearl is a nonprofit organization that receives no commission on the sales of artwork. Artists keep all proceeds. There is no sales tax in Oregon.
Thank you for your interest in Art In The Pearl Fine Arts & Crafts Festival!
If you have further questions you may contact us at info@artinthepearl.com or call us at (503) 512-9071.