55th Annual Courthouse Art Festival
August 8th, 2026

Founded in 1971, the Courthouse Art Festival is a one-day show featuring original fine art and artisan crafts, organized by the Sandpiper Art Gallery & Gifts. The festival accepts a wide range of mediums. Painting, photography, ceramics, sculpture, and mixed media are all welcome. Reproductions of the exhibiting artist’s original work are permitted so long as they don’t comprise more than 40% of the work displayed on walls or panels.

 

The Courthouse Art Festival requires a non-refundable application fee of $35 prior to July 1, 2026.  Artists and artisans applying for the first time must submit photos of their work to be juried by the Festival Committee with their application.  Returning exhibitors may submit an application without images, unless changing categories. 

Applications will continue to be accepted until the festival is full and notifications will be sent as needed.  All exhibitors will receive an email or letter indicating acceptance or rejection plus any additional information.

 

To Apply:

• REGISTER ONLINE ONLY via the Sandpiper’s website or by calling our Festival Director, Vicky Poole at (406) 518-1220.

• Submit the online application with a non-refundable application fee of $35.  Please note that two or more exhibitors intending to sell their work in the same space must register separately and each must pay the application fee.  Only one booth fee will be required. For questions, please contact Vicky Poole at (406) 518-1220.

• First time exhibitors must provide three digital photos of their work.  Please take photos of your artwork and save your digital photos in a .JPG file format and email to: festivals.sandpiperartgallery@gmail.com. Please include your name and the festival designation “Courthouse” in the email subject line. 

• Please provide any special considerations you might need and we will try to accommodate you.  Please let us know if your tent is high and needs extra clearance. 

• ​An accepted application is a commitment to show and no refunds will be made for cancellation.

• Notifications will be mailed within 2 weeks of receipt of application.

 

Guidelines:

• Exhibitors must supply all materials needed for their display.
   

• Single Festival booths are 10 x 10 feet.  Weights are required on tents. No stakes allowed in the Courthouse lawn.
   

• Booth Fees:   10' x 10'  $110
                         10' x 20'  $195
   

• Booth fee is due by July 1, 2026.
   

• No products from kits, commercially produced items, or dealers allowed.
   

• All food products require a food vendor application.
   

• Set-up times:  Friday, August 7th, 5pm - 7pm.   Saturday, August 8th, 6am - 9am.
   

• Show hours:  Saturday, August 8th, 9am - 4pm.
   

• Overnight security provided Friday, 7pm to Saturday 7am.
   

• Returning exhibitors will be assigned the same booth area unless a change is requested.
   

• Submission Checklist:

          √  Completed application online

          √  Non-refundable Application fee of $35 made via online application

          √ If needed, please provide three (3) photos of work and one (1) photo of booth (if available) need to be emailed per instructions above​

 

Questions?  For additional information please contact Festival Director, Vicky Poole at (406) 518-1220., or e-mail festivals.sandpiperartgallery@gmail.com  ​