Call for Artists: Pelham Art Festival 2026

Images (left to right): 2D Artwork by Jon Shaw, Sole Mates by Lisa Leskien, Ceramics by Shu-Chen Cheng, City At Night by Melina Cossio.

Call for Artists: Pelham Art Festival
39th Annual Art Show & Sale

Submission Deadline: January 31, 2026, 11:55pm ET ($30 non-refundable fee). Late submission deadline February 15, 2026 ($60 non-refundable fee).
In-Person Festival: May 8–10, 2026 at Meridian Community Centre, Fonthill, Ontario
Online Festival: May 1–31, 2026 at pelhamartfestival.com

Eligibility & Mediums

• The festival welcomes artists and artisans working in all media, including painting, photography, sculpture, glass, wood, textiles, jewellery, and more.
• Accepted artists may exhibit in-person, online, or both.
• Artists accepted for the in-person show are automatically included in the online exhibition at no extra cost.

Artwork Guidelines

• 80% of works must be original; up to 20% may be reproductions (e.g., giclée prints).
• Photographers may offer limited-edition prints.
• All work must be handmade by the artist—machine-made or mass-produced pieces will be disqualified.
• Submitted artworks should be created within the last three years.

Images (left to right): The Girl In the Sofia Train by Fulya Alic, Journey Of Dreams by Neha Khanna, Yellow House on the Bluff by Robert Bora.

Theme: This Land

Each year, the festival highlights a special theme. For 2026, This Land invites artists to celebrate the beauty, spirit, and diversity of Canada. Learn more about entering the themed category on the Theme Challenge page at pelhamartfestival.com.

Artist Benefits

Artists enjoy exposure to a wide audience of collectors and art enthusiasts, supported by a robust marketing campaign.

Benefits include:

• Direct sales and networking opportunities
• Long-term online exposure (artist galleries remain live until April 2027)
• Opportunities for recognition through juried awards

John Werlich Art

Curated Awards & Jury Process

The Pelham Art Festival is a juried event, ensuring high standards of quality and originality. Our curated awards are selected by a panel of expert judges who recognize excellence and innovation across diverse media.

How to Apply

Please check out our artists FAQ at pelhamartfestival.com/faq.

Learn more and apply through the Call for Artists page at pelhamartfestival.com/call-for-artists.

Submission Deadline: January 31, 2026, 11:55pm ET ($30 non-refundable fee)
Late Submission Deadline: February 15, 2026 ($60 non-refundable fee)

Questions? Contact artists@pelhamartfestival.com.

About the Festival

Now in its 39th year, the Pelham Art Festival is a not-for-profit event recognized as one of Ontario’s premier spring art festivals. We host nationally and internationally acclaimed artists and welcome thousands of visitors each year, with annual art sales exceeding $50,000. Proceeds support the Lincoln Pelham Public Libraries, provide annual scholarships for students pursuing post-secondary studies in the arts, and fund local community arts projects.

Pelham Art Festival
www.pelhamartfestival.com
Email: artists@pelhamartfestival.com or info@pelhamartfestival.com

Facebook @pelhamartfestival
Instagram @pelhamartfestival

Accessibility: Meridian Community Centre is fully accessible. For more information, visit here.