Call to Artists

2026 Waterbury Arts Fest Commemorative Poster

 

Revitalizing Waterbury, now rebranding as Discover Waterbury, is seeking an image to feature on its fourth annual Waterbury Arts Fest Commemorative Poster. Any artist from Vermont is eligible to enter. Artwork can represent any medium (2D and 3D), as long as the image submitted meets our printing criteria (below). The chosen artwork will be the featured image on the poster, which will include the name of the artist and artwork. Posters will be printed on 12”x18” high-quality paper, suitable for framing. The artist will be expected to sign some posters for sale.

The Commemorative Poster will be sold as a fundraiser for Revitalizing Waterbury/Discover Waterbury, a community development non-profit.

The Waterbury Art Fest (WAF) takes place over two days in July. The Friday Night Block Party is a large dance party held in the evening with live music, beer garden, food trucks, and dancing. The Saturday Arts Market has over 100 art exhibitors, live entertainment, children’s activities and an extensive food truck court. The 2026 Waterbury Arts Fest will be held on Friday evening, July 10 and Saturday, July 11, 2026 and takes place in downtown Waterbury. The Arts Fest has been repeatedly recognized as a Top 10 Summer Event by the VT Chamber of Commerce. For more information: www.waterburyartsfest.com.

The chosen artist and artwork will receive additional promotion along with the poster. We will work with the artist to provide the very best opportunities, which can include:

• free vendor booth and premium location at the 2026 Waterbury Arts Fest on July 11
• or separate tent for signing posters. Could also do artist demo on July 11
• press release announcing winner with social media posts
• feature on Waterbury Arts Fest website and in marketing materials

Guidelines for Submission:

1. Artwork for the 2026 Waterbury Arts Fest Commemorative Poster needs to be 11” wide by 14” high, or proportionate so that it can be printed at this size. The artwork needs to be vertical.
2. Artwork image must be a high-resolution JPG or PNG, print-ready, at least 300 dpi.
3. The Artist gives exclusive use of the image for one year, including but not limited to posters, advertising, and notecards.
4. The winning artist and the 2026 WAF Commemorative Poster will be revealed to the public in June.
5. The artist will be asked to sign posters for sale.
6. The artist will be featured on the Waterbury Arts Fest website, which will include the poster image, bio and links to artist websites.

Criteria for Selection:

The winning artwork will be selected by a panel based on:

• Overall artistic composition and emotional impact
• Sense of place and reflection of Vermont, Central VT, or Waterbury
• Unique perspective and/or craftsmanship

The previous winning Commemorative Posters are below.

2023 – Todd Cummings, “Waterbury Reservoir”
2024 – Natasha Bogar, “Passing Storm”
2025 – Courtney O’Brien, “Midnight on the Tracks

Please note: we will add the text; your entry should be artwork only.

Timeline

• Mid-Late April – Call for Artists out
• Friday, May 29 – Deadline for entries
• Monday, June 8 – Winning poster and artist announced, all artists contacted

Send submissions or questions to:

Ariel Mondlak – [email protected]

 

Thank you for supporting Waterbury Arts Fest!