2027 Rehoboth Beach Arts Festival

Description

2027 REHOBOTH BEACH ARTS FESTIVAL
Presented by the Rehoboth Art League and the City of Rehoboth Beach
Saturday, May 22, 2027 (Rain or Shine) • Grove Park, Rehoboth Beach • 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Now in its seventh year, this juried outdoor festival fills Grove Park with tents of original artwork by Rehoboth Art League member artists. The event is free to the public, draws over 2,500 visitors, and is promoted across local papers, visitor guides, regional magazines, radio, and social media.
Grove Park is conveniently located beside the bike trail, canal dock, Visitors Center, and Rehoboth Beach Museum, and the event draws collectors from Sussex County as well as the greater DC/Baltimore area, Philadelphia, and New York.EligibilityOpen to all Rehoboth Art League member artists. Membership must be current from the time of application through the end of the event (new or renewing members can join via the RAL website).

Key Dates & FeesApplication deadline: Monday, February 1, 2027 – 4:00 PMArtist notification (via email): Monday, February 15, 2027Booth fee due: Monday, March 1, 2027
Application fee (non-refundable): $30Booth fee (if accepted): $300Refund policy: booth fees are refundable (minus a $25 admin fee) if canceled before March 15, 2027. No refunds after that date.
Jury ProcessJurying is blind — no artist name or identifying mark may appear on artwork or booth images.Submit 5 images: 4 of your work + 1 of your booth/display setup. Composite photos of booth setup will not be considered.Use of artificial intelligence is permitted but must be disclosed in the submission. Artists should note if AI was used in the creation of their work or in the staging of submitted images.Each medium is juried separately — apply (and pay $30) separately per medium.Accepted artists may only exhibit in the medium they were juried for.All work must be 100% artist-made — no mass-produced or machine-made pieces.Judged on quality, originality, consistency, and professional presentation, including your booth photo.
Booth Space11' × 11' space (fits a 10' × 10' tent), located along Grove Park's paved path.Artists supply their own white tent, weights, and display furniture.One tent per space; no expansion beyond your footprint and no freestanding signage.Booth assignments are given on the morning of the event and cannot be changed.
Sales & ParkingSales: Artists handle their own transactions.Parking: No artist parking is provided. Meters are active in the resort district and permits are required on nearby non-metered streets — plan ahead via the City of Rehoboth's parking permit page.
Set-Up & BreakdownSet-up begins at 8:00 AM Saturday; RAL staff will advise on unloading spots per booth location.Unload, then move your vehicle to remote parking by 9:30 AM.At show's end, fully break down your booth before retrieving your vehicle.Breakdown must be complete by 7:00 PM.No staff/volunteer help is available for load-in, load-out, or tent handling.
Show PoliciesBe current on RAL membership through the event date.One artist per booth space; artists must be present with their own work.Work must be original — no kits or commercially produced items.Prints (giclée, etc.) must be labeled, numbered, and signed; originals must be the focus.Only 2D photography is allowed — no photos printed on mugs, totes, apparel, etc.Keep booths tidy and clutter-free, with artwork displayed professionally.Quickly clear vehicles/trailers from the site during load-in and load-out.Secure your booth against weather — RAL is not liable for weather or incidental damage.No smoking or vaping anywhere on City of Rehoboth property, including Grove Park.Misrepresenting your accepted work, or unprofessional conduct toward staff, volunteers, or other artists, will result in immediate removal without refund and exclusion from future RAL events.RAL expects professionalism from all participants and will monitor compliance throughout the event. RAL reserves the right to modify these policies at its discretion.
How to ApplyRegister and pay the $30 application fee before uploading images.Upload exactly 5 images: 4 of your work, 1 of your booth/display (each ≤ 5 MB).Only your first image needs the medium/category and application title — use "Add Attachment" for the rest.Submit one application per medium.All work shown must have been created within the past 2 years.You can edit or replace your submission anytime before the deadline.Use high-quality images — RAL uses them for promotion, and jurors score accordingly.WaitlistA waitlist is formed from jury scores. If a spot opens up, waitlisted artists are notified and may accept or decline.ContactQuestions? Contact Kelly Wells, Events & Outreach Manager — 302-227-8408 ext. 206, kelly@rehobothartleague.orgBy submitting an application, applicants agree to the terms above.