The annual Juried Fine Art Exhibition, at the Depot, is a highlight of the Anacortes Arts Festival.  The show runs July 27 - August 4, 2024.  The mission of this exhibition is to showcase regional fine art to the Festival audience (estimated at 90,000). The exhibition shows 1 – 5 pieces from selected artists, working in both 2D and 3D. New this year, the exhibition will be housed at the Depot Art Center; a historic train station located two blocks east of the main Festival thoroughfare.  The Juried Exhibition is sponsored by the Kerry Allen Family.  

JURY  The Festival Curatorial Team will jury the 2024 show.  It includes

Rita James, Festival Creative Director and Fine Art Manager since 2001.  She was a founding member of the City of Anacortes Arts Commission and has curated art collections including Island Hospital and the Anacortes Public Library; as well as facilitating numerous public art projects.

Lanny Bergner, mixed media fiber and sculptural basketry artist whose work is in museum collections including the Renwick Gallery, Smithsonian American Art Museum and Seattle Art Museum.  In November, his work opened in a retrospective show, “Iris van Herpen: Sculpting the Senses” at de Louvre in Paris; the show will move on to a world tour.

Steve Klein, glass artist and board member for the Pilchuck Glass School. He has taught, studied, and shown his art in exhibitions and workshops throughout the US, Europe, Australia, Asia and the Middle East.  He is active in exhibition production at the Museum of Northwest Art and is an outspoken arts advocate.

Lisa Kuhnlein, photographer and arts professional.  She has owned an art gallery, and currently runs a commercial photography business in Anacortes. She started her art career working for Dale Chihuly both in Seattle and then in his SoHo Studio in New York City. 

There is no Juried theme in 2024, and no size restrictions for entries

Awards: Artists will be eligible for up to $7,000 in awards, including $2,000 Best of Show selected by the Jurors.                               

Festival information: In its 63rd year, the Anacortes Arts Festival is one of the largest and oldest arts festivals in the Northwest.  Dates are August 2 - 4; Festival hours are Friday and Saturday 10 - 6pm, Sunday 10 - 5pm.    We are a non-profit that supports artists and facilitates collaborative programming and arts education in our community.   We have been recognized as the North Puget Sound Event of the Year and the Grand Summit Award (best overall) from the Washington Festival and Events Association.  Also included in Festival activities are approximately 250 juried booth artisans, a demonstrating artist area, 3 music stages, 3 beer & wine gardens, regional and ethnic food trucks and vendors - and youth activities. Info at www.AnacortesArtsFestival.com

Exhibition dates: The Juried Show Opening is Saturday, July 27.  It will run through Festival weekend, August 4.   
Application Dates: Deadline: March 14, 2024 
notification by April 2, 2024 
Categories: Encouraging both 2D and 3D work, artists working in the following categories are invited to enter the Arts at the Port Juried Fine Art Exhibition:
2-Dimensional - Drawing & Painting (including mixed media), Original Print Media in Limited Edition, Photography, Digitally Generated Art and Video
3-Dimensional - Sculpture, Fine Crafts including fiber, ceramics, metals, glass, wood, basketry, jewelry
Installation (including site specific).  AI generated artwork  is ineligible.  Note: Installation and video artists must complete an application using images relating to work; but also submit separately a written or drawn proposal documenting what they propose to create. Please call the Festival office at 360-293-6211 or email Rita James fineart@anacortesartsfestival.com for more information relating to work that is outside the application format.

Application Requirements

Basic Requirements·      

• Applications will be accepted through café starting January 9, 2024, with a deadline of March 14, 2024.
• The show is open only to artists from Washington, Oregon, Montana, Idaho and British Columbia
• Both 2D and 3D work is accepted, as well as video and installations.  No AI generated work will be accepted.
• All work must be original, created by the applicant.  Limited editions of print mediums and bronze work will be accepted.  Giclee or other prints of originals are ineligible.
• Artwork must have been created within the last two years.
• There are no size restrictions for work.
• Artwork shown previously in our show, or for sale elsewhere in the Festival is ineligible.
• All accepted and displayed work must be for sale.
• The Festival retains a 50% commission on sold work.
• The Festival insurance coverage caps at $2,500 per individual piece.

Eligibility Criteria

This show is open to regional artists from Washington, Oregon, Montana, Idaho and British Columbia only.  The Anacortes Arts Festival is committed to inclusion of people of all races, ethnicities, abilities, gender identities, and sexual orientation. The Festival believes that art should be accessible to everyone and representative of all.