Arts in Central Park

Join us this September to celebrate 60 years! Held each summer in Central Park, Downtown Decatur, Illinois, the Arts in Central Park outdoor art fair is organized as a collaboration between the Decatur Area Arts Council and Gallery 510. The 2 entities have worked together on this art fair for approximately 25 years.  An Art Fair has existed in Central Park since 1962 but has only been a juried fair since 1995. 2022 will mark the 60th anniversary of a juried art show in Decatur, Illinois.

  • Saturday, September 17 – 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
  • Sunday, September 18 – 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
  • VIP preview party on Friday night, September 16 – 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Decatur Area Arts Council and Gallery 510 are dedicated to hosting an art show of the highest quality.  There is a festive atmosphere with music, children’s activities and food booths creating a pleasant and rewarding experience for everyone.

Contact Gallery 510 or the Decatur Area Arts Council if you want to receive a prospectus for the 2022 Arts in Central Park. We are all looking forward to this wonderful art event this coming year. Write it down on your calendars for the third weekend of September. Those white tents full of beautiful artwork will be up that weekend. We look forward to filling the park with lots of us who enjoy looking at and owning their artwork.

The application deadline is June 1st. Applications are accepted through the online program ZAPPlication. Gallery 510 Art & Framing is proud to work with the DAAC to bring Arts in Central Park to our community each year.

Application Process

All visual fine art and fine craft is accepted for Arts in Central Park. The application deadline is June 1st of each year. All new artists must be juried in order to be accepted into the show.

  • Complete the AICP application. This is available online through ZAPP.
  • Submit five images that clearly represent all art to be exhibited
  • Images must be of work completed by the artist in the past two years
  • Artwork will be evaluated by three qualified jurors for craftsmanship, originality, and design
  • Applications must be submitted by June 1, 2022

Application fee: $25

Booth fee: $150 for a space that will accommodate a 10’ x 10’ tent

Images required: 5 art images and 1 booth image

All artists must apply with images, however artists accepted by jurors in 2020 and 2021 will bypass the jury process, be automatically accepted, and will be invited to purchase a booth a booth in June/July. But you MUST apply using ZAPP by June 1, 2022.

If you represent a group (Barn Colony, Johns Hill Senior Art Group, Millikin Blue Connection, Decatur Camera Club), please contact Kim Fouse at Decatur Area Arts Council directly regarding your entry and acceptance into AICP 2022.

If you have any questions, contact Kim Fouse at Decatur Area Arts Council. If you have difficulties with ZAPP, their technical support team is quite helpful.

If local or state government guidelines regarding COVID-19 mitigations force us to cancel our event, your application fee and booth fee will be refunded.

Artist Space

One 10’x10’ space is provided for each artist.  Spaces vary in clearance height due to trees.  If you use a canopy, please indicate height on the application so the committee can assign you a suitable location.  Special requests will be considered when possible.  Please note on application.

Hospitality

Complimentary coffee and refreshments are provided for the artists both days of the art fair.  Assistance is available for set-up and take-down Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  Booth sitters will be available for breaks each day.  Security provided on Friday and Saturday nights.  Lunch options include vendors on the grounds and nearby restaurants.  Monetary awards and ribbons, determined by qualified judges, will be presented for Best of Show and in each of the 6 categories.  Number of places in each category based on number of artists in each category.

CONGRATULATIONS!

Best of Show

Judy Steffens (painting)

2D Painting/Drawing/Print Making/Mixed Media

1st Place – Pam Marty
2nd Place – Sue Watts
3rd Place – Lucy Brownlee

Jewelry

1st Place – Herb Brown
2nd Place – Jill Bush
3rd Place – Kurt Salla

Clay/Ceramics/Stoneware/Pottery/Porcelain

1st Place – Jacqueline Worden
2nd Place – Bill Heyduck

Wood

1st Place – Frank Kobilsek

Photography

1st Place – William Richards

Miscellaneous

1st Place – Darren Miller (Sculpture)
2nd Place – Heather Shore (Mixed)
3rd Place – Suzi Morrow (Mixed)

Special Thanks To

Children’s Museum of Illinois
Girl Scouts of Central Illinois
Our judges Randy Reid of Illinois State University and
Ann Coddington of Eastern Illinois University

Thank You to Our Sponsors

Hickory Point Bank
Decatur Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
Ameren Illinois
Cromwell Media
State Rep. Dan Caulkins
Jerger Pediatric Dentistry
Illinois Arts Council Agency