Pelham Art Festival 2027 Call for Artists: Celebrating 40 Years

About this call

The Pelham Art Festival, a not-for-profit, volunteer-run show and sale, marks its 40th year in 2027 and is jurying artists and artisans for its festival at the Meridian Community Centre in Fonthill, Ontario, on Mother's Day weekend (May 7 to 9, 2027), with an online festival running through May. Artists can take part in person, online, or both; in-person artists also get an online gallery at no extra cost, kept on the festival website until April 2028. The 2027 theme, Memories, is an optional Theme Challenge for one artwork per artist. Proceeds support the Lincoln Pelham library system, scholarships for graduating Pelham students in fine arts and community arts projects. Applicants are notified by the end of February.

Who can apply

• Open to applicants of any nationality
• Medium: Painting / Photography / Sculpture / Ceramics / Textile / Mixed Media
• Entry fee: C$60
• Open to individual artists and artisans in Canada and internationally, working in all media (painting, photography, sculpture, pottery, glass, wood, textiles, jewellery and more), emerging or established, with or without formal training. All work must be original, hand-made by the artist and created within the past 3-4 years; machine-made, AI-generated or mass-produced items are not accepted. Submit 5 artworks that form a cohesive body of work; at least 80% original work and no more than 20% reproductions; photography must be signed and numbered, in editions of 25 or fewer; all pieces must be for sale. Images must be professional, without frames, watermarks or signatures, and your name must not appear in jury materials. Studio applications and collectives are not accepted. Application fee (non-refundable): $30 for applications received by January 31, 2027; $60 late fee for applications submitted February 1 to 10. Booth fees, due on acceptance: single $175, corner $200, three-panel $250, double $350. A 15% commission on total sales (excluding tax) goes to the festival, online sales included through May. In-person artists must be present during all festival hours and bring their own hooks, LED lighting, table, chair and display tools. International applicants are responsible for their own travel documents, customs and shipping; the festival does not issue invitation letters. Cancellations in writing by April 15, 2027 are refunded minus the non-refundable fee; cancellations within three weeks of the festival are refunded only if the booth is filled from the waitlist.