Artist Information

Welcome fellow artists! Whether you are a first time artist or a returning artist, this is your information center for all things Fine and Art Fair related in Peoria! 

Browse this page to find information about what to expect as a participating artist. We have featured thousands of artists throughout the past 63 years and are always humbled by the compliments given by our artists, sponsors, community, volunteers, local businesses and attendees. 

The unique opportunity to spread fine art to an appreciative audience is many thanks to your hard work, ingenuity and craftsmanship!

We THANK YOU for your participation!

Event Summary

64th Annual Peoria Art Guild Fine Art Fair
September 25—27, 2026

It's our 64th year for bringing original art to Central Illinois and we want you to be a part of the celebration! As one of the oldest art organizations in the country, the Peoria Art Guild Fine Art Fair is nationally recognized for its organization, event marketing, and for putting artists' needs at the top of the priority list. We offer affordable hotel rates, convenient artist parking, coffee/rolls each morning, boxed lunches, snacks in the Artist Break Room, cold bottled water on demand, and 200+ volunteers to take care of any artist need.

Fine Art Fair Director: Megan Scott

Promotional Marketing

Submit your video or high resolution image for promotional marketing through this form.

General Information

All artists must fill out this form prior to August 26 so we can be prepared for your arrival.

Booth fees

• Regular booth $350

• Corner booth $425

• Double booth $800 (limit 5; first come, first served)

• Electricity - $35 for the weekend

Mediums: Original works include — ceramics, digital art, drawings/pastels, fiber, glass, jewelry, leather, 2D mixed media, 3D mixed media, metal, painting: oils & acrylics, painting: watercolor, photography, printmaking, sculpture, wearable fiber and wood. 

Important Dates

Important Dates:

January 5, 2026: Applications open
June 8, 2026: Application deadline
June 26, 2026: Jury notification e-mailed
August 1, 2026: Deadline for payment of booth fees and acceptance forms
August 1, 2025: Last day for a booth fee refund (less $25 administrative fee)
August 31, 2025: Booth assignments emailed to accepted artists

On-Site Dates:

Friday, September 25:  Set up: 7 am - 4pm
Saturday, September 26:  Fine Art Fair: 9 am - 5 pm

Saturday, September 26: Artist Party: 5 pm at the Riverfront Museum
Sunday, September 27:  Fine Art Fair:  10 am - 4 pm

Fair Schedule:

Friday September 25, 2026 

• 7:00 AM - 4:00 PM Check in and Booth Set Up

Saturday September 26, 2026

Fair hours 9 am - 5 pm

• 8:00 to 9:00 AM - Grab N Go Breakfast available in the artist breakroom

• 9:00 AM Gates open for members only early entry.

• 9:30 AM Box office opens for on site ticket sales.

• 10:00 AM Gates open for the general public.

• 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM - Lunch will be delivered to your booth. 

• 5:00 PM - Gates close. 

•  7:30 PM - Artist Awards Party at the Riverfront Museum

Sunday September 27, 2026

Fair Hours 10 am - 4 pm

• 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM - Grab N Go Breakfast available in the artist breakroom

• 9:30 AM - Box office opens for onsite ticket sales.

• 10:00 AM - Gates open for the general public.

• 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM - Lunch will be delivered to your booth.

• 4:00 PM - Gates close.

• 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM tear down.

Cancellation Policy:

Email us at fineartfair@peoriaartguild.org

Peoria Art Guild
Attn: Fine Art Fair
Peoria Art Guild
203 Harrison
Peoria, IL 61602

$25 administrative fee for all cancellations prior to August 1, 2025.
No refunds after August 1, 2025.

Payment: Application fees may be paid through Zapplication via PayPal, credit card or check. Please mail checks to: 

Peoria Art Guild
203 Harrison
Peoria, IL 61602

Day-of Info:

ARTIST CHECK IN BEGINS AT 7 AM SEPTEMBER 25, 2026 - You must check in before setting up your booth. Check in begins at 7 am and is located at the entrance of the Gateway Building at 200 NE Water Street (intersection of Hamilton and Water Streets). You will need to bring your driver's license or photo ID. At that time you will be directed to the artist designated parking location. 

BOOTH SET UP ENDS AT 4:00 PM - Your booth needs to be completely set up and ready by 4:00 PM on Friday. Booth spaces are 10’ wide and 12’ deep. Your tent must be 10’ x 10’. Artists are responsible for supplying all necessary items for set up. Booths will be set up on paved surfaces therefore only sandbags and other weights may be used to secure tents. Any damage to park grounds from installation of a tent is the artist's responsibility. The Peoria Riverfront can be windy, please bring extra weights just in case. 

• Booth Assignments will be posted on Zapp by August 31, 2026 and sent out via email. 

• Artist Statement and Process- We require that you display an Artist Statement including an artistic process statement in a prominent place in your booth. Educating the public on what motivates you to be an artist and the creative process that defines your work is an important part of our fair.

• I BUY ART Buttons- We will provide each artist a package of I Buy Art buttons at check-in. You will give one to each person buying a piece of art on Saturday or Sunday. This is a fun way to promote the purchase of original art and we hope it will boost your sales for the weekend.

• Mad Hatter Scavenger Hunt - To encourage children to explore the fair and talk with artists, we have created a scavenger hunt. Children will be tasked with asking questions and finding out facts about artists and their process at the fair. Artists can then initial their scavenger hunt card and children will turn them in at the Kids Fest for a prize.

 All vehicles must be removed from the fairgrounds by 5:00 on Friday afternoon.

Hotel Accommodations:

Artists will be staying at Staybridge Suites 300 West Romeo B Garrett Avenue, Peoria, IL. This hotel includes free parking and breakfast, it is also located 1 mile from the fair. If you have questions, please contact Linda Marie Jones at Sales.Sbs@kingslanehotels.com or call (309) 673-7829.

Tear Down:

Artists may begin tearing down booths at 4 pm. We strongly encourage you to finish tearing down by 6 pm, we cannot guarantee security or volunteers will be present on site after 6 pm.

Safety and Security:

While security will be present after hours and during the fair we recommend that you always stay aware of your surroundings. In the event of an emergency we will send out instructions for seeking shelter or evacuation instructions via the text app that you will be set up with during check-in. We cannot guarantee that staff, volunteers, or security will be present to assist you after 6 pm on Sunday after the Fair closes.

• A new Clear Bag policy and security check system has been instituted by the Peoria Parks Department. Anyone who does not have a Fine Art Fair nametag or Volunteer shirt will be required to enter through the security check and follow the clear bag policy. You can see more about what is allowed/not allowed at the Fine Art Fair here.

• Absolutely no skateboards, bikes, or recreational scooters/vehicles are allowed within the fairgrounds. We will be strictly enforcing this policy this year and will have to ask anyone who does not follow it to leave the fair. 

• No animals are allowed within the fairgrounds with the exception of service animals.