Pelham Art Festival Artists' Information

Find artist resources, tips, and everything you need to apply to the 2026 Pelham Art Festival.

 

 

In-person
Festival

  • May 8-10, 2026
  • Meridian Community Centre, Fonthill, Ontario
  • Set Up Friday morning
  • Artists must be in attendance all weekend
  • 15% commission on total sales
  • Include Online Festival at no charge

Online
Festival

  • May 1-31, 2026
  • 15% on e-commerce sales during the Online Festival
  • No commission on sales made more than two weeks after the Online Festival ends, artists manage their own sales.
  • Online platform available until mid-April 2027

Youth
Artists

  • May 8-10, 2026
  • Meridian Community Centre, Fonthill, Ontario
  • Set up Friday morning
  • All accepted youth artists must share responsibility for staffing the group booth throughout the three-day Festival.
  • Online Festival included at n/c.

Important
Artist Info

  • Update your profile with photos and site links
  • Add pricing and description to your pieces (max 15)
  • Follow uploading images guidelines (link to attachment)
  • Read & Understand the Artist Code of Conduct
  • Refer to our Resources and FAQs

Important Dates

  • Nov 1      Call for Artists opens

  • Jan 31 Call for Artists deadline

  • Feb 15    Call for Artists closes with late fee

  • Feb 28    Call for Youth Artists closes with late fee

  • Apr 15    Online gallery and bio completed by artist
  • Apr 16    Final day to withdraw from festival
  • May 1     Online Galleries begin
  • May 8     Opening Night Gala
  • May 11     Online Galleries continue until May 31

2026 Theme

Pelham Art Festival invites juried artists to create one artwork inspired by the annual Theme, displayed in their booth. A judge will award Best of Theme on Mother’s Day weekend.
2026 Theme: “This Land” 
Turtle Island. Canada. Home. Whatever name you give it, this land holds our stories. It may have always been your home, or it may be a place you’ve come to call home — but it is where we stand together today. “This Land” invites artists to celebrate the beauty, spirit, and diversity of Canada through its landscapes and wildlife, its cultures and histories, and the personal meanings it holds for each of us. We invite you to accept the challenge and submit one artwork that speaks to your love of this land.

Participation Details

• Email [email protected] with your artwork title to receive a Theme Challenge tag (included in your Artist package).
• Only one artwork may be entered in the Theme Challenge.🍁
• An artist statement explaining your interpretation of the theme must accompany the piece in your booth.
• Last-minute participants should notify a PAF Committee member upon arrival.

Winner of the 2026 Theme Challenge was Shelley Prior for Misty Morning Paddle.

Resources

Helpful links to help with your artist submission and booth

2026 Juror's Checklist
Uploading to your online Gallery
Arena Booth and Zone Map
Arena Booth &
Zone Map
Booth Setup Guidelines
Booth Setup
Guidelines
Artist Booth Lighting
Artist Booth
Lighting
Jurors' Checklist
2026 Jurors’
Checklist
Light Section Separator

Youth Artists

The Pelham Art Festival is proud to support the next generation of artists by giving Niagara’s youth a professional platform to showcase their creativity. Participating offers real art show experience, public exposure, and the chance to sell work both in-person and online.
If you are between 14 and 19 years old, live in the Niagara region, and are enrolled in a provincially recognized secondary school program, we invite you to apply. For more information, please contact Lori at [email protected]

Youth artists ages 14–19 who live in the Niagara region and are currently enrolled in a provincially recognized secondary school program within the Niagara region.

  • Applications open November 1, 2025 and close January 31, 2026.
  • Late applications will be accepted until February 28, 2026.

  • $10 by January 31, 2026
  • $20 for late submissions (Feb 1–15)
  • Artists are also responsible for costs to make their artwork show-ready (e.g., framing).

You’ll need to log in and apply online and include:

  • Three (3) images of original artworks created in the last three years.
  • A 500-character artist bio/statement (written in the first person, no names included).
  • A 200-character description of your work.
  • Refer to our Tips for Submitting for Jurying for helpful information.

Painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, digital media, illustration, glasswork, textiles, jewelry, woodturning, ceramics, sculpture, and mixed media.

  • All submissions will be juried to select exceptional artwork for a limited number of spaces available in a double booth at the Festival.
  • All jury decisions will be final. 
  • Artists must be able to present during the festival.

Yes. All accepted youth artists must share responsibility for staffing the group booth throughout the three-day Festival. If you cannot commit to booth duty, you should not apply.

  • Exhibit in-person in the dedicated youth artists’ booth
  • Online gallery and sales platform (active for one year)
  • Eligible for the Best Youth Artist Award, judged at the Festival
  • The chance to gain real art show experience and get public exposure.

The Festival collects a 15% commission on all sales, the same as for all artists. Proceeds support Lincoln Pelham Libraries, visual arts scholarships, and community arts initiatives.

  1. Go to Apply Now – Artist’s Application and log in.
  2. Complete your profile (name, address, phone, email, bio, description). Skip banner image, profile photo, and social media until accepted.
  3. Upload your images in .jpeg or .png format, with titles, sizes, and mediums entered.
  4. Submit three artworks, your bio, description, and the non-refundable application fee. Read our tips for submission.

  • File types: .jpeg or .png
  • Size: between 600×600 px and 1024×1024 px, max 4MB
  • Cropped to show only the artwork (no frames, signatures, or watermarks; exceptions for 3D works or frames integral to the art)
  • Naming format: YourName_Title_Year (e.g., JaneSmith_SummerDay_2022)
  • Banner image: 1920×640 px
  • Profile photo: 750 px on longest side

Tips for a strong application

  • Submit high-quality, well-lit, in-focus photos of your work.
  • Present a consistent body of work (same style/medium).
  • Write a clear, concise artist statement in the first person, without including your name.
  • Be specific in your artwork descriptions about materials and techniques.

Get more useful information here.

You can email our help desk at [email protected], or reach out to our Youth Artist coordinator Lori – [email protected]. Use a clear subject line so your question is directed properly. Example:

  • PAF 2026 Photographing My Art – Your Name
  • PAF 2026 Gallery Setup – Your Name

 What if I forget my password?

Go to the login page, click RESET PASSWORD, and follow the instructions. A temporary password will be sent to your email (check spam/junk). Once logged in, update your password under “Your Profile.”

Browse Artwork

Festival proceeds benefit the Lincoln Pelham Library System and provide annual scholarships to graduating Pelham students who are pursuing post-secondary studies in fine arts. Students interested in applying for scholarships click here.
The Festival also supports various community arts projects. Artists donate back 15% of their sales to support this effort.