We’re excited to announce the artists selected to exhibit at the 2026 Cherry Creek Arts Festival, celebrating our 35th anniversary! This milestone year drew 1,983 applications across 13 artistic disciplines, reaffirming the Festival’s reputation as one of the most competitive fine arts events in the country. A jury of five independent arts professionals selected 250 exhibiting artists, joined by 20 invited artists, including award winners, the poster artist, and Artist Advisory Committee.

This year’s artist lineup includes:

• 36 Colorado artists, representing our vibrant local creative community
• 3 international artists from Canada and Argentina
• 80 first-time Festival exhibitors
• 39% returning artists from the 2025 Festival
• 17 multimedia artists presenting work in more than one medium
• 3 emerging artists are returning from 2025
• 5 artists selected as Emerging Artist Grant recipients

Together, these artists reflect an inspiring mix of new voices, returning favorites, and exceptional talent from around the world, perfectly marking 35 years of art at the Cherry Creek Arts Festival.

The jury for CCAF changes annually and selects artists through a blind process based on artistic excellence of quality, creativity, and overall impression of original handcrafted work. The 2026 festival jury included:

• Tanya Crane - Long Beach, CA - Artist, Educator
• Thomas Evans, Detour - Denver, CO - Artist, Creative Director and Author
• Emily Grace King - Denver, CO - Art and Exhibits Curator, Special Collections and Archives at Denver Public Library, Artist
• Justin Teilhet - Yellow Springs, OH - 2025 CCAF Award Winner, Mixed Media Artist
• Thomas Tyers - Omro, WI - 2025 CCAF Award Winner, Wood Artist

Student Art Buying

The 2026 Student Art Buying Program is now open for applications!

Educators and students are invited to apply, twenty-four schools will be accepted to participate. They’re given classroom materials that help students explore the world of art, along with a $500 budget, which students will use for a hands-on art buying experience at this year's Cherry Creek Arts Festival. Students learn about art appreciation and the business of art while developing teamwork, public speaking, and financial literacy skills. 

Since 2001, the Student Art Buying Program has enabled students from 470 schools to purchase more than 1,300 pieces of original art.

Through our Buy One Give One Art Kit program, over the past couple of weeks CherryArts has delivered 400 free art kits to kiddos in five Colorado schools!

Each kit includes all the materials needed for multiple hands-on art activities that result in a finished piece of original work for each student, including interactive lesson plans and instructional videos. Our art kits make creating art a joy wherever you are.

Every time we sell an art kit - on our website, or at our festival - we donate one to a Colorado student. Get your kit today & we will donate one from you!

CherryArts is On the Move

Did you know CherryArts provides year round art education outreach all across Colorado! We have several programs that bring art to you.

Programs like the Mobile Art Gallery (MAG) which is a pop-up art gallery showcasing original works of art that travels to schools, libraries, community centers, and other public venues. MAG introduces art to thousands of people each year in multiple locations, Since 2001 we have served 149,272 students with this program!


We also have our innovative, traveling Mobile Art Cart (MAC) which transforms any space into a printmaking studio. Students experience art hands-on while learning how to screen print.

Inquire today about how to bring one of our unforgettable programs to your school or community center! Grants are available and we still have space this year.

This year marks the 35th anniversary of the Cherry Creek Arts Festival!

Thanks to patrons, artists, sponsors, and supporters like you, the festival has thrived for 35 incredible years. As we celebrate this milestone, we’d love to hear from you. Share your favorite memories and photos from past festivals, and you might be featured as we count down to this year’s event.

Send photos and memories to hello@cherryarts.org

CherryArts, a Denver-based nonprofit, believes that access to art is for everyone, and artists are essential. www.CherryArts.org