58th An Occasion for the Arts (VA)

October 3-4, 2026

Preferred Application Deadline 4/22/26 ($40)

Final Application Deadline 4/30/26 ($50)

CALL TO ARTISTS

What: 58th Annual An Occasion for the Arts

Where: Merchants Square, in the center of Colonial Williamsburg, VA

When: October 3-4, 2026 | Sat - Sun 10am-5pm

NOTEWORTHY:

• Friday set-up and Sunday tear-down drive adjacent to booth
• 38,000 loyal, art educated patrons (Geofencing Data 2024)
• Onsite staff and fabulous volunteers
• Every Booth is a Corner 
• Reserved artist-only parking (No Camping or Overnight Stays in any parking lot)
• Booth sitters and lunch delivery (pre-ordered/paid from local restaurant Aromas)
• 24 hour security using local police
• Full color printed program sent to 20,000 households prior to the show
• Awards Reception Saturday Evening 
• $6,000 in awards; winners jury-exempt the next year
• Jury Fee: $40 deadline 4/22/26 | $50 (4/23-4/30)
• Booth Fee: 10'x10' $495 | 10'x20' $990

Now Accepting Applications on ZAPP

Preferred Application Deadline: April 22, 2026

Final Application Deadline: April 30, 2026 ($50 Fee)

Artist Notification: May 19, 2026

Booth Fee Due: June 9, 2026

For more information please visit: https://aofta.org/

Contact Hannah Barco, Executive Director at aofta.director@gmail.com 

For more than 50 years An Occasion For The Arts has brought fabulous art to historic downtown Williamsburg, VA on the 1st weekend of October.

Williamsburg is the home of the College of William & Mary with an affluent alumni base residing in the area. It is also a top tourism and retirement destination for people from all over the world. 

The 58th Annual An Occasion for the Arts, October 3-4, 2026 is dedicated to maintaining high standards and working diligently to foster a positive environment for artists and patrons. Our commitment is to balance the show so it showcases every artists’ unique work.