2026 BENTON COUNTY ARTSFEST (6/20/26) – CALL FOR SHOW ENTRIES
Presented by the Benton County Arts Council
Warsaw Community Building, lower level - 181 W. Harrison St., Warsaw, Missouri
For more information, contact: bentoncountyarts@gmail.com https://www.facebook.com/groups/bentoncountyarts/
Open to all media and all Benton County artists! Cash prizes!
Entry deadline – June 15, 2026
Adult entry fee: $5 per piece, up to four pieces per artist
Checks payable to: Benton County Arts Council; Payment by Venmo or Paypal will also be accepted.
NOTE!! As a special incentive for early entries, those who submit their entries by May 1st will be invited to submit content for a "Meet Our Artists" page on the BCA site.
Divisions: Amateur and Professional (You are considered a professional if you have received training or have taught in your medium, have worked to improve and hone your art beyond hobby level, and/or have received compensation or payment for your work. If you are an amateur but wish to compete at the professional level, you may. If you have won a category prize at ArtsFest in the amateur level, please consider challenging yourself in the professional division.)
Categories:
3D Art (includes ceramics, sculpture, glass, assemblage, fiber art - this category will be displayed on tables)
Photography
Dry Media (drawing materials that are typically applied in solid form and do not require a liquid solvent for application - pencil, graphite, pastels, chalk, colored pencil)
Wet Media (art materials applied in liquid state with a brush or other applicator - watercolor, acrylic, oil, ink, gouache, marker)
Mixed Media (combining 2 or more mediums or materials to create a single work of art - this category must be able to hang on our art boards)
All entrants must have an address in Benton County, MO. Artwork must be recent, original (the hand-worked result of the submitting artist’s own concept and effort, not made in a guided class or workshop, and with respect to copyright), and family friendly. Entries previously entered in ArtsFest are not eligible for the contest. We offer prizes according to medium (3D, drawing, painting, photography and mixed media). Please be sure to note your medium with your entries so they are placed correctly.
Two-dimensional work (including photography) must be brought to the show framed (or stretched on a frame) and ready to hang on a hook with securely attached braided picture wire. No saw tooth, cardboard pop-out or plastic hangers will be accepted. Due to limited display space, frames may not exceed 38” in width. Artwork is entered at the artist’s own risk, although every precaution will be taken in handling.
DATES TO REMEMBER:
Early entry: May 1, 2026
Entry forms must be received by June 15, 2026
Drop off artwork at the Community Building’s Harbor Room (lower level) Thursday June 18 between 5-7 pm.
**Hanging artwork MUST be able to hang on a hook.
**Please remember to tag your artwork on the back.
Friday June 19, participants will be invited to an artists’ reception and (hopefully!) a walk-through with our judge.
The art show will be open to the public from 9-4 pm on Saturday, June 20.
Please pick up your artwork at the Community Building after the show (June 20, 4-5 pm) or on Monday June 22 from 9 am - noon.