The annual Juried Fine Art Exhibition, at the Depot, is a highlight of the Anacortes Arts Festival.  The show runs July 26 - August 3, 2025.  The mission of this exhibition is to showcase regional fine art to the Festival audience (estimated at 90,000). The exhibition shows 1 – 3 pieces from selected artists, working in both 2D and 3D. The exhibition is 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.  

JUROR  This year's juror is Daniel Wallace, Executive Director of the Northwest Designer Craftartists (NWDC).

Currently, Daniel Wallace serves as the Executive Director of Northwest Designer Craftartists (NWDC), a nonprofit promoting excellence in design and craftsmanship. Under his leadership, the organization has been rebranded to reflect values of diversity and inclusion, created new committees, and expanded outreach to artists and institutions throughout the Pacific Northwest. 
 

Earlier in his career, Wallace served In Philadelphia as Project Coordinator at First Person Arts, a nonprofit dedicated to storytelling. In 2009, he founded Extra Extra, a gallery that quickly earned a reputation for supporting emerging artists. During his tenure, projects extended beyond gallery walls, with public installations at Philadelphia City Hall and ICA Philadelphia, and the creation of interactive virtual spaces.

His curatorial work continued with the founding of American Medium in New York, a gallery and online platform that explored the intersection of art and technology. Through exhibitions, performances, and digital projects, it spotlighted diverse voices, particularly women, LGBTQ+ artists, and artists of color.

From 2018 to 2024, Wallace worked as the Program Coordinator at Howl Arts, a nonprofit gallery preserving the artistic legacy of Manhattan’s Lower East Side. He led projects such as “Bringing Back Bowery: Public Art as Protest” and adapted programs to virtual formats during the pandemic.

There is no Juried theme in 2025.  There are no size restrictions for this show.

Awards: Artists will be eligible for up to $7,500 in awards, including $2,000 Best of Show selected by the Juror.                               

Festival information: In its 64th year, the Anacortes Arts Festival is one of the largest and oldest arts festivals in the Northwest.  Dates are August 1 - 3; 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, 2 music stages, 2 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 26.  It will run through Festival weekend, August 3.   
Application Dates: Deadline: March 13, 2025; 
notification by April 15, 2025.  
Categories: Encouraging both 2D and 3D work, artists working in the following categories are invited to enter the Art at the Depot 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, 2025, with a deadline of March 13, 2025.
• 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 is no size restriction for this show.
• 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.