Art Exhibit Submissions

Marblehead Festival of Arts juried exhibits are open to artists who reside, work, or belong to an art association in Essex County, Massachusetts. Youth and Student Art is open to Marblehead residents in public or private schools or art studio classes, Marblehead residents who do not attend a Marblehead school, and nonresidents attending school or art studio classes in Marblehead. All artwork submitted should have been completed within the last 3 years, and not previously submitted to the festival in past years.

In these juried exhibits, artwork has been selected by judges with expertise and knowledge in their fields of judging. We invite eligible artists to enter their original artwork in one or more exhibit categories as listed in the submission application.

Submissions Close Friday June 19th*

Important Notes for our 2026 Artists: (PLEASE READ)

*Please - no pieces larger than 42", including frame, in any direction, or heavier than 40 lbs. Our volunteers thank you!

*Submission limits per exhibit:

Youth and Student: 1

Photography: 2

Drawing: 3

Painting: 2 <NEW this year, up to two submissions!

Paint the Town: 1 (See below for special PTT Notice of Dates)

Printmaking: 3

Senior Art: 1

Sculpture: 2

Mixed Media: 2

Crafts: 3

Digital Art: 3

*You can attend all of our exhibits running July 2nd-July 5th in Marblehead's Historical District at Abbot Hall, Old Town House, Old North Church, St. Michael's Church, Unitarian Universalist Church, and the Marblehead Arts Association. 

* This year we request THREE images with your submission, as we will be doing online judging, prior to exhibit drop-off/setup.

Images should ideally be an overall front image, a close-up if helpful to showcase your skillset, and a back image, showcasing the piece is ready to hang with a wire hanger.

*Submissions will close Friday June 19th. 

- 2026 juried exhibits will be judged from your submission. Judging will take place June 22nd-25th, with notifications of acceptance and awards going out June 26th. 

- All Accepted Artwork (as notified on June 26th): Please attach your Art Tag to the back/bottom of your piece and bring to your assigned exhibit location on the following Art Drop Off Dates: 

Monday June 29th, 2026, 5-7 PM

Tuesday June 30th, 2026, 9-11 AM

Locations for Drop Off: 

Old Town House: Photography

Abbot Hall: Painting, Printmaking, Crafts

St. Michael's Church: Digital Art, Mixed Media, Sculpture

UU Church: Senior Art, Drawing

Paint the Town: Marblehead Arts Association

Old North Church: Youth & Student 

ART PICK-UP POST FESTIVAL: 

• Sunday, July 5th, 2026, from 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

• Monday,  July 6th, 2026, 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. 

Please plan to pick-up any Not For Sale artwork, and/or artwork that has not sold, at the above dates and times. The Festival is not able to hold artwork post festival due to space and volunteer limitations. 

Please read the Artist Agreement below before applying:

Artist Agreement

My submission of artwork to the Festival constitutes my acknowledgement and agreement with the following terms and conditions:

AI Technology Prohibited

The Marblehead Festival of Arts (MFoA) celebrates the creative vitality of Essex County and will only accept submitted entries that are (and can be defended as) conceived and created by the submitter. Therefore, the Marblehead Festival of Arts (MFoA) prohibits the use of AI, in any form, for all submitted work.

Sales Agreement

Artwork entered into Festival Exhibits may be offered for sale by the artist. To list artwork for sale, indicate the sale price on the entry form. Otherwise, indicate NFS if artwork is not for sale. The Marblehead Festival of Arts, Inc. will receive a 30% commission on any sales. All work for sale must be sold as displayed and may not be removed by the purchaser before the close of the Festival.

Liability

Artwork will be openly displayed in buildings, in areas open to the public. It is recommended that all artists insure their own works for the duration of the exhibition. The Marblehead Festival of Arts, Inc. (MFoA) is not responsible in any way for the loss, damage, disappearance, or harm of any kind to the works of art. Delivery of works to the MFoA constitutes an express waiver, release, and discharge of all claims, actions or causes of action against the harm of any kind to the works of art.

Abandoned Work

Artwork not sold must be picked up by the artist or a representative of the artist at the scheduled pick-up times, unless other arrangements are made with the Exhibit Chairpersons. Any artwork not picked up within 60 days after the close of the Festival shall become the property of Marblehead Festival of Arts, Inc.