Call Description

Call for Artists: Taste of the Arts — Juried Fine Arts Outdoor Exhibition is part of the 2026 Taste of Beaufort Festival
May 1–2, 2026 | 11 AM – 4 PM
USCB Center for the Arts, Downtown Beaufort, SC

Under the shade of the majestic live oaks on the front lawn of the USCB Center for the Arts, Taste of the Arts invites artists from across South Carolina and Georgia to showcase their work during a two-day juried outdoor exhibition. As part of the iconic Taste of Beaufort Festival, this event celebrates fine art, community, and the creative spirit of the Lowcountry.

More than 35 artists will be selected to display original oils, watercolors, acrylics, photography, sculpture, and more. The event offers strong regional marketing exposure, dedicated volunteer support, and an engaged audience of over 8,000 visitors throughout the weekend.

Artist Perks:

• $175 booth fee for a 10x10 white tent space
• Artist reception on Friday evening
• Free, close parking & booth-sitting assistance
• Air-conditioned hospitality center with snacks & water
• Indoor restrooms and scenic live oak setting
• Part of a 40-year Beaufort festival tradition

Important Dates:

Application deadline: February 16, 2026

Notification of acceptance: March 1, 2026 

Booth fee payment deadline: March 15, 2026

All submitted work must be original and created by the artist. No mass-produced, resale, or AI-generated work will be accepted.

Join us for this vibrant Lowcountry tradition and share your artistry beneath the oaks during Taste of the Arts 2026.

Application Requirements

Applicants must submit the following materials for consideration:

• Completed online application form (link to be provided).
• Four (4) digital images of recent work representing the body of work to be exhibited.
• One (1) booth image (must not show the artist’s name, logo, or identifiable signage).
• Artist statement or brief description of work (200 words or less).
• Non-refundable jury fee (if applicable — optional to include depending on policy).

Eligibility

• Open to artists 18 years or older residing in South Carolina or Georgia.
• All artwork must be original and created by the exhibiting artist.
• No mass-produced, resale, or AI-generated works will be accepted.
• Each artist must be present and personally staff their booth during the entire festival.

Important Dates

• Application Deadline: February 16, 2026
• Notification of Acceptance: March 1, 2026
• Booth Fee Payment Deadline: March 15, 2026

Booth Information

• Booth Fee: $175 for a 10x10 space (white tent required).
• Setup: Begins at 9 AM on Friday, May 1; booths must be ready by 1 PM.
• Tear Down: Begins at 4 PM on Saturday, May 2.
• Amenities: Free parking, volunteer assistance, artist reception, indoor restrooms, and air-conditioned hospitality area with complimentary snacks and water.

Selection Process

• Submissions will be juried by a panel of art professionals.
• Artwork will be rated on a 1–7 scale based on originality, technique, and presentation.
• Balanced category representation will be maintained across all media.
• Waitlist applicants will be notified as spaces become available.

Media Categories

Artists may apply in one or more of the following categories:
Artists may apply in one or more of the following categories. Each application must represent a distinct body of work. If accepted in multiple categories, artists must exhibit only the work submitted and approved through the jury process.

• Ceramics- Original handmade clay and porcelain works. No machine-made or mass-produced pieces permitted. Each piece of similar design must be individually signed. (Wearable ceramics must be juried under Jewelry.)
• Drawing- Works created using dry media such as chalk, charcoal, pastel, pencil, crayon, or fluid media like ink and washes applied by pen or brush.
• Fiber- Original work crafted from natural or synthetic fibers, including weaving, basketry, leatherwork, tapestry, and papermaking. No machine-screened patterns, kits, or factory-produced wearable items. (Wearable fiber jewelry must be juried under Jewelry.)
• Glass- Blown, fused, or stained glass created by hand. No mass production or commercially manufactured components. (Wearable glass pieces must be juried under Jewelry.)
• Jewelry- Original jewelry designs created from metal, clay, glass, fiber, or mixed materials. No commercial or production studio work permitted.
• Metalworks- Non-jewelry works created from metal, including sculpture, wall hangings, forged utensils, or architectural elements. No manufactured components or mass production. (Wearable items must be juried under Jewelry.)
• Mixed Media- Two- or three-dimensional works incorporating multiple materials or techniques that do not fit neatly into another category.
• Painting- Original works created in oil, acrylic, watercolor, or other traditional painting media. Reproductions must be clearly labeled and limited to 20% of booth display. AI-generated work is not permitted.
• Photography- Original photographic prints made from the artist’s own image, processed by the artist or under their direct supervision. Artists must disclose both creative and printing processes.
• Printmaking- Original hand-pulled prints, including etching, woodcuts, lithography, and screen printing. Works must be signed and numbered as limited editions. Photocopies or digital reproductions will not be accepted.
• Sculpture- Three-dimensional works created from any material, designed for indoor or outdoor display.
• Wood- Original works hand-tooled, turned, or carved from wood. No manufactured or mass-produced items allowed.

Eligibility Criteria

To participate in the 2026 Taste of the Arts Juried Fine Arts Exhibition, artists must meet the following requirements:

Artist Eligibility

• Open to artists aged 18 and older.
• Applicants must reside in South Carolina or Georgia.
• Collaborative teams are eligible but must apply jointly and exhibit only their collaborative work.
• Artists must be present and personally staff their booth for the duration of the event (May 1–2, 2026). Representatives or substitutes are not permitted.

Artwork Eligibility

• All artwork must be original and created by the exhibiting artist.
• Works must reflect the same style and medium represented in the application submission.
• No mass-produced, kit-made, or commercially manufactured items are allowed.
• Reproductions are permitted only if clearly labeled and limited to no more than 20% of the display.
• AI-generated artwork and resale of commercially produced items are strictly prohibited.
• Only white tents/canopies are permitted for booth setups.