Blowing Rock Art in the Park 2027

A juried outdoor art festival on Park Avenue in Blowing Rock, North Carolina, featuring approximately 70 artists at each of six shows. The 2027 shows take place May 15, June 12, July 24, August 14, September 11, and October 2. Artists apply once and select their preferred dates. Eligible work includes clay, digital art, drawing, fiber, glass, jewelry, leather, metal, mixed media, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, and wood. Emerging artists may apply.

Apply online once through ZAPP and select the desired show dates. The non-refundable application fee is $35. Submit four images: three of individual pieces and one of the overall booth display. Images must represent work completed within the past two years and must not show the artist or signs bearing their name. Previous-year award winners bypass the jury. Selection is by media category, with a score-based waitlist; jury decisions are final and no critique is provided. Emerging artists are accepted.

All work must be original, handcrafted, created and exhibited by the approved artist. Kits, imports, mass-produced items, t-shirts, sweatshirts, food, candles, soaps and other consumables are prohibited. Clay cannot be machine-made. Digital art must have at least 50% computer-generated imagery or manipulated source material and must be signed and numbered. Drawing includes pen, pencil, charcoal, pastel and chalk. Fiber work must be designed and constructed by the artist. Glass cannot use manufactured molds or mass production. Jewelry cannot be buy/sell, kit, costume or mass-produced jewelry and may be exhibited only when accepted in the jewelry category. Leather must be designed and sewn by the artist. Metal is functional, non-sculptural work. Two-dimensional mixed media must combine at least two distinct media in wall-hung, collage-type work; unique framing does not make single-medium work eligible. Three-dimensional mixed media must combine at least three media or physical materials and is used only when no other category fits. Painting includes oils, acrylics and watercolors; reproduction prints must be labeled as such. Photography must come from the artist's original film or digital files. Printmaking includes woodcuts, silk-screening, etching and intaglio. Sculpture is non-functional three-dimensional work; wood is turned or carved.

Only one exhibitor's work may occupy a booth; a two-person production team counts as one exhibitor. A maximum of two media is allowed per booth. Standard spaces are 10 feet by 10 feet, with limited double spaces available. Displays must be professional. Tents must be white, with tents and weights contained within the allotted space; the rules specify tents of 10 feet by 10 feet or less. Open-air booths are allowed. Electricity and storage behind or around most booths are unavailable. Tent weights are mandatory; 500 pounds is suggested, not required. Drilling into the street or surrounding objects is prohibited, and inadequate compliance can result in booth closure.

Listed booth fees for artists committing to all six shows are $250 for a 10-by-10 single space or $450 for a 10-by-20 double space. Individual-show booth fees are $275 for a single space or $475 for a double space. Acceptance and booth fees are due April 30, 2027. Full-season artists may use a payment plan with full commitment and a down payment before May. Booth payments are not processed through ZAPP; accepted artists receive a payment link. Waitlisted artists invited to participate must pay before the show date.

Setup begins no earlier than 6 a.m.; previous-night setup is prohibited unless specifically arranged with the director. Vehicles must be completely unloaded and out of the show area by 9 a.m., with setup underway. No vehicles are allowed in the exhibitor area during show hours. After complete booth breakdown, artists receive a pass to retrieve their vehicle; trailers and large trucks wait until most smaller vehicles have exited. All booths must be removed by 7:30 p.m. Exhibitors collect and remit their own sales tax. Only certified service dogs may accompany exhibitors; non-service pets, alcohol on town property, disturbing foliage, nailing objects to trees or buildings, and smoking or vaping in the show area are prohibited.

Accepted artists' submitted images may be used to market the show with appropriate photo credit. Application information may be used on the Blowing Rock website and in promotional materials. Shows take place rain or shine. Acceptance is a commitment to participate. Notify the Chamber promptly of cancellation; no-call/no-shows jeopardize future participation. Cancellation more than 30 days before a show receives a refund of half the booth fee by check; cancellation within 30 days or less receives no refund.