Allentown Art Festival 2026

EVENT INFORMATION

• The Allentown Art Festival takes place in the Allentown Historic Preservation District of Buffalo, New York during the second weekend in June. The festival started in 1958 and is one of the longest running and most respected art shows in the United States. The Allentown Art Festival is a non profit group founded by local shop owners in 1958. Our mission is to support the arts in Buffalo. Each year we award over $25,000.00 in college scholarships to Western New York students who intend to major in art. 
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• Each year, thousands of art patrons visit the festival to enjoy the charm and character of the Allentown neighborhood. Over 350 juried artists set up along the streets surrounded by beautiful, historic architecture. Patrons are treated to seeing beautiful works of art and having the opportunity to meet the artists. We encourage artists to demonstrate their techniques and interact with the public.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Artists apply in the following media

Drawing and Graphics           Ceramics

Painting                      Jewelry                       

Photography                   Fiber/Leather

Sculpture                      Wood/Metal 

2D Mixed Media                Glass 

Prizes are awarded in each media. 

First prize  $1000.00

Scond prize $500.00

Third prize $250.00

Best of Show Prize in the amount of $2500.00 is awarded each year in addition to prizes awarded in the art and craft categories.

A  Purchase Award in the amount of $1000.00 chosen by the Allentown Art Festival members is also awarded yearly. Artists must indicate that the piece submitted for judging is to be considered for the Purchase Award 

All prizes are awarded at the discretion of the Allentown Art Festival. There is not a guarantee that all media prizes will be awarded. 

Artists are invited to attend the award ceremony and reception held Saturday evening at 6:30 PM to enjoy food and drinks with our members. Artist prizes are announced at the reception. Our poster designer and student scholarship prize winners are introduced and presented their awards at the reception. 

The Allentown Art Festival has acquired permission for exhibitors to park free of charge. Space is limited and is not guaranteed. Parking is permitted after 5:00 PM. Exhibitors are not allowed to park in spaces reserved for employees or to block other cars or driveways. Place parking permit on dashboard inside windshield. A map of available parking lots will be included with acceptance packets.

RULES/REGULATIONS

All work must be original, handcrafted, created and exhibited by the accepted artist.The registered exhibitor must be present with his or her display for both days of the show.

No representatives will be permitted.

Only one artist or craftperson is allowed on each application. All work must be attributable solely to the displaying applicant.

Works created through collaborative groups will not be accepted.

Works created by Artificial Intelligence (AI) will not be accepted.

No kits, imports or mass produced items will be accepted. 

Artists may exhibit works only in those media selected by the jury and listed on the artist permit. Works displayed must be comparable to works submitted for jurying. No other items will be allowed in the booth.

Any media not approved through the jury process that appears in the booth, will be removed. 

The following items are not eligible:

Items made from kits, commercial molds, patterns, logos or trademarked names and designs

Body Art (tattoos)

Magnets

Novelty crafts

Velvet paintings

Decoupage

Plants, dry florals

Rubber stamps

Edible items

Bottle caps

Flattened glass bottles

Painting on premade glass, ceramic, pottery or wooden items

​Soap, oils, lotions

The Allentown Art Festival reserves the right to exclude works that are mass produced or do not conform to the festival standards for creativity and originality. Images created through Artificial Intelligence will not be accepted. 

All graphic reproductions of original work must be properly registered, signed and numbered.

The originals must be on display and properly noted.

Reproductions must be displayed apart from originals and clearly identified as such with a prominently displayed sign. Reproductions must constitute less than one third of total display.

Browse boxes must be similarly limited.

Approved exhibitors must be in their booth for the duration of the show. No representatives are allowed. 

No booth sharing is allowed. 

Displays must be professional and aesthetically pleasing. 

All tents must be white. Artists are required to secure their tents to ensure that tents are not susceptible to movement in any conditions. 

The Allentown Art Festival is not responsible for damage to property caused by weather events. 

All work and displays may not extend beyond the assigned space and may not protrude into street. The sidewalk in back of tent may not be used for storage and must remain clear and accessible. 

Handwritten and sale signs are strictly prohibited. 

An exhibitor permit is provided to accepted artists. The validated permit must be attached to display in full view from the street. This permit will be checked during the show. Displays without a valid exhibitor permit will be deemed unauthorized and will be removed. An exhibitor ribbon will also be provided. The ribbon must be worn or displayed in the booth. Ribbons from other shows are not allowed and may not be displayed. 

All vehicles must be removed from show area by 9:00 AM on both Saturday and Sunday. No vehicles may reenter until 7:00 PM on both Saturday and Sunday 

JURY DETAILS

Average number of applications submitted each year:

600

Average number of artists selected from the jury to participate in the event:

350

Average number of exempt from jury artists who are invited to participate in the event:

0

Vendors that are excluded/ineligible:

Food vendors Body ink artists Importers

How images are viewed by jurors:

Computer monitor

Within a medium category, applications are sorted and viewed by:

Application ID (number generated when application is started by artist)

Jurors score applications using the following scale:

1 - 10

Number of jurors scoring applications:

5

The show organizes the jurors for a:

Single jury panel that scores applications for all medium categories

Jurors score

Convened as a group in one room

Am I allowed to observe the jury process?

Jury process is closed

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Host or Publisher Joyfest Street