APPLY TO THE ARTIST MARKET
BRING YOUR original WORK TO THE RIVER.
Every third weekend in October, 160+ juried artists from Memphis, the Mid-South and across the country bring their original work to Riverside Drive for RiverArtsFest.
Artist Market applications are accepted each year from February through May. Applications are accepted only through ZAPP.
Applications are closed for 2026 festival.
ABOUT OUR JURIED ARTIST MARKET
RiverArtsFest is a juried fine arts festival showcasing original work created by the artists who exhibit it.
Our Artist Market includes a wide range of fine art and fine craft in the following categories:
2D Mixed Media
3D Mixed Media
Ceramics
Digital Art
Drawing
Fiber and Leather
Glass
Graphics & Printmaking
Jewelry
Metalworks
Painting
Photography
Sculpture
Wood
All work must be original and created by the exhibiting artist. Commercially produced, mass-produced or resale merchandise is not accepted. If you're new to juried fine arts festivals, keep reading to learn how our selection process works.
About our selection process
The RiverArtsFest Artist Market is juried.
Artists are selected through a competitive blind-jury process—not on a first-come, first-served basis.
Applicants submit digital images of their original work and booth display through ZAPP. A volunteer panel drawn from Memphis's arts community reviews the submissions without seeing the artists' identities and selects the artists invited to exhibit at that year's festival.
The jury process helps us create an Artist Market representing a strong mix of original work across artistic media.
AWARDING THE BEST OF THE BEST
During the festival, our jurors visit artists’ booths to evaluate the work on display and select award recipients across each of our 14 categories, as well as Best of Show.
Are you an emerging Artist?
For those rising stars, the festival offers an emerging artist program, a mentorship opportunity that includes free booth space and setup materials.
