The Riverwalk Fine Art Fair invites you to showcase your art on September 21 & 22, 2024 in downtown Naperville, IL. The show is limited to 115 artists, attracts 45,000 sophisticated art loving patrons and offers many artists amenities.  Applications are available on ZAPP! Click here to apply today!

GENERAL INFORMATION

The Naperville Art League proudly announces the 39th Annual Riverwalk Fine Art Fair. We invite you to apply to our juried art exhibition and sale, which is held along the renowned Naperville Riverwalk and downtown city streets. The Riverwalk, considered to be one of the most beautifully maintained park grounds in the Midwest, features plants, trees, fountains and covered bridges along a winding brick walkway. This paved path is a natural showcase for many of the sculptures and artwork commissioned by Naperville’s Century Walk committee. As the focal point of downtown Naperville, it is a delightful setting for a Fine Art Fair. Visitors travel from far and near to enjoy the splendor of the riverwalk and the quaint restaurants and shops in downtown Naperville. On the third weekend in September, we add to the ambiance with an outstanding display of the finest in visual arts.

The Riverwalk Fine Art Fair is in the center of a sophisticated, art-conscious community, with highly educated, affluent patrons. The show is heavily promoted through newspaper features and inserts, billboards, posters, and paid advertising. An estimated 45,000 festival goers attend this highly anticipated show.

ELIGIBILITY

Participation is open to artists working in painting (acrylic, oil, water media), drawing, sculpture, fiber, graphics, mixed media, jewelry, photography (limited-edition photographic prints made from the artist’s original photographic image and processed by that artist, or under his or her direct supervision. Work must be properly signed and numbered as a limited edition), pottery, metalwork, glass, wood, digital art (any original work in which the original image was crafted and manipulated by the artist using the computer. Work must be in signed and numbered in limited editions. Artwork created using a camera and then subsequently manipulated using computer technology should apply in the photography category). We seek to maintain the highest standards for both artist and the viewing public. We enforce an “ORIGINALS ONLY” policy. Reproductions are not allowed (a reproduction is defined as a work of art which already exists [as a painting, watercolor, drawing etc.] and is copied by digital, photographic or other means and printed in one of a variety of methods including on an offset press, serigraph press or through a computer by means of an ink jet, laser or electrostatic printer to include Giclee). Exceptions are made for those applying under the heading of Printmaking wherein prints must be produced by the artist using printmaking techniques and in Photography and Digital Art where prints must be printed by the creator, signed and numbered in a limited edition of 250 or less. In addition, kits, factory made items, imported work, commercially made products, and fabricated forms or settings will not accepted. Artist must be present for the duration of the show.

SHOW DATES AND HOURS

The Riverwalk Fine Art Fair is annually on the third weekend of September. The show is scheduled for September 21 and 22, 2024. We are open to the public from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm on both days. Artists may set up on Friday, September 20 from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm or Saturday from 6:30 am to 8:30 am.

APPLICATION SUBMISSION AND ENTRY FEES

To enter, simply complete the application process online at Zapplication.org and submit a non-refundable payment of $35 for the jury fee, $65 if applying after the deadline of April 2 and on or before April 15, 2024. No applications will be accepted on or after April 15.

APPLY MULTIPLE TIMES FROM ONE PROFILE

Now you can apply in more than once from just one profile! This eliminates the need for separate profiles if you submit more than one application to our show. Simply log in to your ZAPP account, apply, and check out as normal. Then, repeat each time you apply (we will accept up to 3 applications per profile.  You can apply either in the same or in different medium categories). Each entry requires a separate entry fee.

BOOTH FEES

Booth Fees are $450. Payment must be received from invited artists by June 10 to ensure participation in the show. All payments are to be made either directly through the Zapp system by credit card or with a check, made payable to the Naperville Art League and sent to the Naperville Art League, 508 North Center Street, Naperville, IL 60563.

JURY PROCESS

Submitted images must be representative of the work to be exhibited and should be sharply focused. All 5 images will be simultaneously projected and juried or viewed independently by professional art experts. Artists will be ranked numerically in their category based on jury scores. Exhibitors are selected by ranked point total. A brief artist statement may be read while your slides are being projected. Booth fees are $450 for a single booth. Notification of status will sent by May 15, 2024. Due to unexpected circumstances which occur every year, the director may be involved in artist selection after the jurying process.

100 CHARACTER JURY STATEMENT

Artists must include a brief statement about their materials and how they are used in the application form. This statement may be read aloud while their images are being projected.

DISPLAY SPACE/FEES

Standard booth size is 10 X 12. Booths run along the Riverwalk and adjacent downtown city streets. Exhibit areas have both sun and shade and possible uneven terrain. Some booths are on the grass and others will be on the street or brick walkway. Tents are required. Tents must be weighted down and not staked into the ground. Artists must provide their own tents, display boards, tables, chairs, etc. Booths will be assigned by show management to provide media variation throughout the show.

AWARDS

One Best of Show with a $1,000 cash prize will be awarded. Four awards of excellence will be presented with a cash prize of $500 each. Four merit ribbons with a $250 cash prize will be awarded. Awards are given where excellence is determined regardless of media categories.