Art fairs and events are one of the greatest aspects of the art world. These gatherings—both large and small, in-person and online—are an opportunity to see dozens to hundreds of artists’ work all at once. It’s a place for sharing your work and making direct connections with fellow artists and collectors. Of course, to participate in an art fair or competition, artists must first enter their work for consideration. Some fairs are members-only, but many have application processes completely open to the public—and they’re happening across the world, from Arizona to Paris, not to mention all of the virtual shows out there as well. And whether you’re a seasoned art show veteran or entering your work for the first time, it takes guts to put your work out there on a competitive level. But taking that step forward and submitting your art to a fair could lead you down a wonderful new avenue of possibilities.
There are thousands of events taking place throughout the year on a global scale. In the following pages, we’ve rounded up a select few with entries currently open or opening soon.—
Richard Huck, Squid Trail (detail), colored pencil and graphite, 17 x 14" (43 x 35 cm). Courtesy Colored Pencil Society of America.
2025 Explore This!
21 Colored Pencil Society of America
Each year the Colored Pencil Society of America sponsors Explore This!, an exciting and innovative online exhibition. Artwork must be predominantly colored pencil but also include some additional media, element or technique to encourage artists to explore a broad range of applications for colored pencil. The exhibition offers more than $5,000 in awards including the prestigious $2,000 Best of Show (EXPY) Award. The show is open to artists 18 years and older, regardless of geographic location. Artwork must have been created in 2022 or after, and CPSA membership is not required to enter. Submissions are accepted from September 15 to November 15, 2024. Acceptances will be announced January 15, 2025. The show opens and winners are announced February 1, 2025.
Other Upcoming Exhibitions:
2025 CPSA 33rd Annual International Exhibition Bethesda, MD Entries Open: December 15, 2024-March 31, 2025
Contact Info
Website: cpsa.org
A view of the Festival of Arts Fine Arts Show in Laguna Beach, California.
Visitors explore artwork during a previous edition of the Festival of Arts Fine Arts Show.
Festival of Arts Fine Art Show
650 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
The Festival of Arts Fine Art Show is an outdoor art gallery held each summer in Laguna Beach, California, featuring original artwork from over 100 esteemed artists in Orange County. Attracting more than 200,000 attendees during its two-month season, this prestigious event provides an exceptional platform for artists to showcase their talent, connect with buyers and effectively promote and sell their work. Applicants must demonstrate residency in Orange County for at least one year, with studio or gallery location not qualifying as residency. To apply, artists are required to complete an online application and submit photos of their work. The submitted artwork is evaluated by esteemed jurors from the West Coast’s art community, who assess creativity, originality, craftsmanship, design elements and presentation. The deadline to apply for the 2025 fine art show is late October 2024. For more information and to apply, visit foapom.com/apply.
Contact Info
Phone: (949) 494-1145
Email: artcenter@foapom.com
Website: festivalofarts.org
Visitors admire artwork during the 16th annual International ARC Salon Exhibition at Sotheby’s New York in 2023.
International ArC Salon
Art Renewal Center, 100 Markley Street Port Reading, NJ 07064
View the new updated prospectus and enter the 17th International ARC Salon Competition. When talking about competitions dedicated to 21st-century realism, the International ARC Salon is the largest in the world. With over $130,000 in cash awards and international recognition through partnerships with prestigious magazines, galleries, museums and more, don’t miss your chance to compete. Categories include: Figurative, Portraiture, Imaginative Realism, Drawing, Landscape, Still Life, Plein Air Painting, Fully From Life, Sculpture, Animals and a special category for teens. The entry period is open through June 13, 2024.
Contact Info
Email: info@artrenewal.org
Website: arcsalon.org
Mitch Caster, Taos Hollyhocks, oil, 20 x 20" (50 x 50 cm). Winner of “Best Light and Color” in the 2023 Fall Online International Exhibition.
Joseph Orr, Woodland Observation, acrylic, 20 x 16", (50 x 40 cm). 2023 Fall Online International Exhibition.
Spring Online International Exhibition
National Oil & Acrylic Painters’ Society
The National Oil & Acrylic Painters’ Society’s Spring Online International Online Exhibition features the top 200 paintings from around the world with over $4,500 in awards. No membership is required to enter. Entries are open through April 7, 2024, and applicants will be notified on May 22. Accepted paintings will be featured on the NOAPS website for one year. For more information visit noaps.org or email with questions to contact@noaps.org.
Other Upcoming Exhibitions:
• Best of America Small Works International Exhibition Santa Fe, NM Entries Open: Through May 7, 2024
• Associate Online Exhibition Entries Open: April 15-June 15, 2024
• Best of America International Exhibition Birmingham, AL Entries Open: May 15-July 31, 2024
• Fall Online International Exhibition Entries Open: July 8-October 20, 2024
Contact Info
Email: contact@noaps.org
Website: noaps.org