Call Description

Arts at the Depot Juried Fine Art Exhibition, is a highlight of the Anacortes Arts Festival.  The show runs July 25 - August 2, 2026.  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 in all mediums. New this year, Art at the Depot also includes a Focus Gallery featuring the work of three artists selected from the previous year’s Exhibition - Libby Sullivan, Tia Kurtz and Gabriella Norino.  2026 juried artists will be eligible for Focus Gallery selection in 2027.  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 Christian Waguespack, Director of Curatorial Affairs and Curator for the Museum of Northwest Art (MoNA).

Waguespack came to MoNA in 2025 from the New Mexico Museum of Art + Vladem Contemporary in Santa Fe, where he served as Head of Curatorial Affairs and Curator of 20th Century Art.  As part of that role, he curated more than 20 exhibitions.

In his MoNA role, Waguespack provides strategic vision and managerial leadership to MoNA’s collection, exhibition, research, and scholarship initiatives and works alongside the museum’s leadership to catalyze meaningful community engagement with the museum and its collection of Northwest Art. 

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

Awards: Artists will be eligible for up to $5,500 in awards, including $2,000 Best of Show selected by the Juror.  Two or three artists from the 2026 Juried Exhibition will be invited to show a larger body of work in the 2027 Focus Gallery; which also comes with a $1,000 stipend.                            

Festival information: In its 65th year, the Anacortes Arts Festival is one of the largest and oldest arts festivals in the Northwest.  Dates are July 31 - August 2; 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 25.  It will run through Festival weekend, August 2.   
Application Dates: Deadline: March 12, 2026; 
notification by April 14, 2026.  
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·(Please read)      

• Applications will be accepted through café starting January 8, 2026, with a deadline of March 12, 2026.
• The show is open only to artists from Washington, Oregon, Montana, Idaho and British Columbia
• Artwork must have been created within the last two years.
• 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.
• 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.  Please note that all work must have been completed within 2 years to be included in jurying.