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58TH ANNUAL OCALA ARTS FESTIVAL INFORMATION FOR ARTISTS

DOWNTOWN OCALA, FLORIDA  OCTOBER 25-26, 2025 

Apply at Zapplication

2024 Artist Info Packet

Download PDF

Artist Map

The 2024 Artist Map includes parking areas.

In this Map, we show booth locations and artists' arrival times. We also included the parking areas. Artists, please check in at the information booth.

Download PDF

Applications Deadline is ALWAYS on July 15th

The application date is approaching fast and we’re making preparations for the best festival yet. Don't miss out!

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Application Closed for This Year

The application day may have come and gone, but keep in touch as we'll open up the application for October 2023 in January.

Important!

Important Dates

  • Every Year, Artist Applications must be submitted by July 15th midnight.
  • Blind judging will be completed no later than August 5th.
  • Notification of acceptance will be done by email NO later than August 15th.
  • If you are accepted into the show, the Booth Fee must be paid no later than September 15th. 
  • Booth fees paid after September 15th will have an additional processing fee of $50.

Requirements for Application

  • IMAGES: 4 with a Booth Photo Required — Please update your photos so the jury does not know your name nor any past history with this show.
  • JURY FEE: $50.00
  • Apply online at Zapplication
  • Full rules, policies and other helpful information found below and at Zapplication.

Emerging Artist Program

FAFO is proud to have an Emerging Artist program as part of its festival. To qualify, an artist must be just starting his/her/they professional career. Find out all about this program and how to apply below.

Artist Application Information, Rules and Policies

Please reach us at fafoocala@gmail.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.

Clay: three-dimensional clay and porcelain work created by the artist that is not machine-made. Jewelry is not included in this category.

Digital Art: two-dimensional work created by the artist using computer technologies. This may include scanned images from the artist or other sources that have been non-trivially modified through the use of computer programs. Work must be printed with archival quality materials and properly signed and numbered as a limited edition no greater than 250.

Drawings & Graphics: two-dimensional works created by the artist using dry media including chalk, charcoal, pastels, pencils, wax crayon, or from the fluid medium of inks and washes applied by pen or brush. Work must be created with archival quality materials and properly signed.

Fiber: three-dimensional work, wearable and non-wearable, created from fibrous materials. This category includes but is not limited to baskets, books, embroidery, paper, quilts, weavings, felting, etc. All work must be designed and created by the artist. No commercial or mass-produced works are permitted regardless of additional modifications or enhancement by the artist.

Glass: three-dimensional work created by the artist in glass. No molds or other forms of mass production are permitted

Jewelry: jewelry is created by the artist without the use of commercial casts, molds, kits or a production studio, regardless of medium. 

Metal: three-dimensional artwork created by the artist through the forging, twisting, and fabricating of various metals.

Mixed Media – 2D: two-dimensional, one-of-a-kind works created by the artist in which the primary intent is the union of two (2) or more physical materials.

Mixed Media – 3D: three-dimensional, one-of-a-kind works created by the artist in which the primary intent is the union of two (2) or more physical materials.

Painting: two-dimensional work created by the artist with pigment including oils and acrylics, as well as egg tempera, casein, alkyd, encaustic (excluding watercolor). Work must be created with archival quality materials and properly signed.

Photography: two-dimensional work created by the artist that includes digital and film photography. hand-colored photography and emulsion transfers are accepted in this category. Photographic prints made from the artist’s original negative or file that have been processed either by the artist or under his/her direct supervision. All images printed must be signed. Exhibitors must disclose their creative and printing processes during the festival if asked. All prints must be displayed in a professional manner, with a backboard, or matted in a plastic sleeve.

Printmaking: two-dimensional printmaking is a transfer process of producing original art, usually in multiples. Printed original works are hand-manipulated by the artist using etching, engraving, silk-screening, stone, and plate lithography, linoleum block or woodcut, which have been properly signed using archival quality materials.

Sculpture: three-dimensional work is created by the artist primarily in a single medium such as shaping figures or a design in the round or in relief, by chiseling marble, modeling clay, casting metal, or other materials. Nno forms of commercial or mass-produced or enhanced items not made by the artist are permitted.

Watercolor: two-dimensional work created by the artist with watercolors using archival quality materials and properly signed.

Wood: three-dimensional work created by the artist that is hand-tooled, machine-worked, built-up, turned, or carved in wood.


  • $5,000.00 - best in show
  • $2,500.00 - 2 awards of excellence
  • $1,000.00 - 7 awards of distinction
  • $500.00 - 10 awards of merit
  • $1,000.00 - 6 emerging artist award benefits
  • Awards are given at the discretion of judges.
  • Award-winning artists will be recognized at the Saturday night artist dinner and presented a ribbon to display in their booth.
  • Award winners' checks will be delivered to the artists’ booths on Sunday.


  • 24-hour security
  • Artist packet
  • Artist and assistants name tags
  • Friday check-in & set-up (Saturday check-in is available but must be set up by 9 am.)
  • Artist Oasis with refreshments available all-day and clean indoor bathrooms
  • Free parking, free handicap parking, and free RV and trailer parking provided.
  • Load-in: access booth directly with a vehicle
  • Booth sitting staffed by volunteers
  • Complimentary breakfast for artists and their assistants both mornings
  • 2 complimentary dinners & 2 complimentary drinks for the artist and their assistant on Saturday at the awards dinner
  • Recognition in the festival program distributed at the event
  • Award winners featured on fafo.org
  • Website & social media coverage of the art festival with links to the artists' websites, if provided 
  • Extensive media promotions throughout Central Florida
  • Estimated 25,000 attendees
  • Artists retain all proceeds


  • Jury fee is $50.00
  • Application deadline is midnight,July 15.
  • In the event of cancellation, FAFO will be offering full refunds for artist jury and booth fees.
  • The jury fee may be paid through Zapplication, or paid directly to FAFO by credit card by calling 352-867-0355, or by check by mailing check to Fine Arts for Ocala, P.O. Box 6229, Ocala, FL 34478. Make checks payable to FAFO. Please notify us if you are sending a check or money order.
  • Your booth image should display your current artwork and should not have any identifiable markings including booth cards; signage; people or pets.
  • The booth image must include the entire outdoor booth (no indoor booth images & no partial images).
  • Artists’ names are not used during the selection process to guarantee complete impartiality.
  • The jury session is judged by guest jurors and monitored by the FAFO jury and judge committee.
  • Jurors are selected for their experience and expertise. A diversity of backgrounds and skills is sought.
  • Scoring is 1 (low) to 7 (high), based on originality, creativity, design, technique, craftsmanship, production methodology, and booth presentation.
  • The decisions of the jury process is final.
  • Notification of acceptance will be done by email no later than August 15.


Three artists from the previous year's festival are exempt from the jury process. The Best of Show, and the two (2) Award of Excellence winners. The current year's Featured Artist is also exempt. These artists will receive an email with a coupon code to use at checkout at Zapplication.


  • Standard Booth: $300.00 (tax incld)  
  • Corner Booth: $300.00 Booth Fee + $100.00 (tax included) Total $400.00.  
  •  There are 30 corner booths available, they sell out fast.
  •  We do not accept double booths.  
  • Late Fee: $50.00 will be charged if the artists accept the invitation after the acceptance deadline, due to processing fees.  
  • The booth fees include the sales tax.  
  • In the event of cancellation, FAFO will be offering full refunds to all Artist’s Jury and Booth fees and all other vendors.
  • Booth fees & set-up instructions are outlined on Zapplication.
  • Artists selected by the jury will receive invitations from FAFO. Artists must use Zapplication to accept the invitation. The deadline to accept the invitation is August 31.
  • Booth fee can be paid through Zapplication, or paid directly to FAFO with a credit card by calling 352-867-0355. Artists may also pay by check and mail it to Fine Arts For Ocala, P.O. Box 6229, Ocala, FL 34478. Make checks payable to FAFO. 
  • Cancellations: Artists canceling their participation in the must notify FAFO. September 30 is the deadline for partial refunds. There are no refunds after Sept. 30 under any circumstances.
  • Artists are to provide their own display 10' x10' white tent booth, racks, and/or tables in order to display their work in an outdoor downtown urban environment. All booths must be weighted down appropriately to withstand strong gusts of winds. 
  • If you do not have a 10'x10' white tent you may rent one from Party Time Rentals- (352) 629-8858
  • Electricity is available in some locations. artists must request access to it in their submission application, but the request is not guaranteed that the artists will receive electricity.
  • We allow quiet generators. If you bring a generator that is loud and there are complaints, you will have to turn it off.
  • All work must be contained within the assigned exhibit spaces which includes the booth and at least 2 feet behind it.
  • No items allowed on city sidewalks per city ordinance.
  • The work of only one (1) artist may be displayed in each assigned space.
  • A minimum of six (6) pieces must be displayed.


This show is for artists and craftsmen and not for commercialism or dealers. Therefore, the following rules concern fine art reproductions:

  • Mechanical reproductions of your original artwork (photo-offset, letterpress, photocopy, gravure, giclee, or inkjet prints) – including those receiving additional modification or enhancement by the artist – must be matted and may not be sold as framed art or hung alongside original works.
  • Reproductions must be displayed within the assigned booth space in a browse bin.
  • If you are found to have framed reproductions hanging in your booth, the FAFO committee will be visiting booths on Saturday and Sunday and will ask you to move them to a browse bin.
  • The final interpretation of commercial status will be made by the FAFO art festival committee.
  • Exhibitors whose artwork does not correspond to the quality represented in their application may be asked to remove their entire exhibit without a fee refund. 


  • Only artists selected by the FAFO jury may exhibit work.
  • Artists must be 18 years or older to participate.
  • Artists must be present at the arts festival on Saturday & Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm. No proxy exhibitors allowed. 
  • All work must be created since 2017, be available for sale, and typified by the images submitted with the application.
  • FAFO reserves the right to photograph work on display for use in promotions of the art festival and for future promotional materials for FAFO.


  • Copies of original artwork and works reproduced or copied from works of masters, advertisements, commercial or widely circulated photographs or offset prints
  • Work purchased from an outside source for resale
  • Production artwork in any category Work created by kits, velvet paintings, manufactured or kit jewelry, art supplies, commercial signage or displays, decoupage and ceramics cast from commercial molds
  • Traditional crafts such as soaps, candles, scented oils, and homemade food items should not be entered into this event.
  • Artwork not in the category in which the artist applied and was accepted
  • Mass-produced note cards, commercial books, etc.
  • Unsigned artwork or work not using archival materials
  • Sound systems
  • Active solicitation of the public in any manner


Emerging Artist Program Details

Please reach us at fafoocala@gmail.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.

This Emerging Artist program is designed specifically for outstanding artists over 18 years old who are just beginning their careers in the professional art world with no established history of displaying their artwork in galleries, museums, or juried outdoor festivals.

FAFO reserves the right to pre-screen and research emerging artist applicants to make sure they are an appropriate fit for this category. Artists may apply to either the Emerging Artist category or to one of the Ocala Arts Festival regular categories, but not both.


To qualify as an emerging artist, applicants should be beginning their careers in the professional art world with no established history of displaying their artwork in galleries, museums, or juried outdoor festivals. You may have displayed art pieces in group shows or contests. You must be 18 years or older.


  • Apply to Zapplication to the Emerging Artist category. 
  • Emerging artist applicants must pay the $50 application fee but, if accepted to the festival, their booth fee will be waived. FAFO will send a coupon code that is used to waive the booth fee upon acceptance.
  • During the application process, upload four (4) images of your artwork with no visible artist's signature. Zapp requires a booth image for all regular applicants but not for emerging artists. Please note that in order to complete your application, you must submit your fourth artwork image marked as "display" or zapp will not process and accept your submission.
  • The Ocala Arts Festival is a family-oriented event and exhibits must be in keeping with this atmosphere.


In addition to all the amenities granted to other festival exhibitors, selected emerging artists also receive the following:

  • Waiver of the $300 artist booth fee
  • A $500 stipend to go towards materials for constructing or assembling a festival display booth. This money is given to the emerging artist on Sunday.
  • A 10’x10’ display tent with 4 sidewalls and weights.
  • Up to $250 round trip travel expenses for one (1) if traveling to Ocala from outside marion county. Transportation is reimbursed at either round trip airfare or your choice of vehicle mileage at fifty-four cents (0.54¢) per mile or actual fuel costs incurred while driving. Receipts must be submitted to receive reimbursement. The reimbursement will be included with the stipend check paid on Sunday.


The rules, policies and prohibited items that apply to regular festival artists also apply to emerging artists. Please review the full set of rules at Zapplication and in the sections above.


Emerging Artist Workbook

All the info Emerging Artists need is in this workbook.

Download PDF

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SYMPHONY POSTPONED TO FRIDAY, JUNE 6TH

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