Call for Artists
Canyon Main Street Art Fest
Canyon, TX (Downtown Square)

Saturday, May 2nd
2:00 – 6:00pm

 

Register HERE

We’re currently inviting artists to participate and would love to connect with creatives from surrounding towns.

Booth spaces are 10×10 and $100.

Art Fest – Celebrating Creativity, Culture & Community in Downtown Canyon

Art Fest brings arts and culture into the heart of downtown Canyon each May in honor of Preservation Month. The festival celebrates creativity, heritage, and community by transforming the square into a live, outdoor art experience for all ages.

Live Mural Experience:
A featured muralist will paint a mural during the festival on a giant canvas, offering guests the rare opportunity to watch a large‑scale artwork come to life. Festival attendees can also contribute their own brushstrokes to a collaborative community mural, creating a shared piece that symbolizes Canyon’s artistic spirit.

Silent Auction on Site:
We will be having a silent auction to auction off our 2 canvas murals.

Fine Art Booths & Demonstrations (Pre-Registration Required):
Artists from throughout the region are invited to showcase their work around the square. To keep the event focused on fine arts, booths are curated specifically for visual artists, with priority given to 2D works on canvas. Visitors will have the chance to meet artists, observe demonstrations, and purchase original pieces.

Caricature artists and face painters are also welcome additions to the experience.
Wine Tasting by Bar Z Winery
Bar Z Winery will offer an outdoor wine tasting where guests can enjoy local flavors as they browse, watch art being created, and shop from participating artists.
Outdoor Step‑by‑Step Art Class (Pre-Registration Required)
A local art instructor will lead a guided, step‑by‑step art class on the square. Participants ages 16 or older at any skill levels can join in, learn techniques, and take home their own artwork.
Sidewalk Mural Competition (Pre-Registration Required for Adults Children may sign up day of the event)
The sidewalks around the square will become canvases for both youth and adults! Adults 18+ must preregister below. Youth will register on site the day of the event. Competitors can create chalk masterpieces for a chance to win a prize and showcase their creativity to the community. Your art will be featured on our website and Facebook page!
Local Authors Corner (Pre-Registration Required)
We welcome local authors for book signings and meet‑and‑greet opportunities, adding a literary arts element to the festival and giving visitors the chance to connect with writers from the region.

Kids’ Activities
In addition to hands‑on art experiences, the festival includes inflatables and family‑friendly activities to keep younger visitors engaged and excited.

Author Booth Information

Authors are invited to set up a booth to promote, sell, and sign their books. This is a great opportunity to connect with readers, share your work, and grow your audience.

Booth Details
Cost to enter is $50
Each author will receive a 10×10 space.
You are responsible for bringing your own:
Table(s)
Chairs
Tent or canopy
Additional Notes
Booths should be professional and welcoming to readers.
Authors may bring display materials such as banners, book stands, and signage.
Please ensure all content displayed and sold is family‑friendly.

Chalk Mural Competition 18 years +
$10 entry fee

(Chalk Mural competition for children under 18 will be onsite registration)

Rules & Guidelines

All Artwork Must Fit the Americana Theme: Americana is meant to be welcoming, nostalgic, and inclusive.

Allowed:
Vintage roadside & Route 66 imagery
Classic cars (non-political)
National Park scenery
Western or cowboy folklore
Folk art patterns
Music culture (blues, jazz, bluegrass, etc.)
Small-town charm (storefronts, barns, diners)
Fireworks, festivals, parades (non-political)

Not allowed:
Political symbols or figures
Controversial or divisive imagery
Anything violating the “family-friendly” rule (see below)

Family-Friendly Content Only. Artwork must be suitable for all ages.

Not allowed:
Violence
Sexual or suggestive content
Gore
Disturbing or offensive content

Medium Restrictions:
Chalk or chalk pastels only.
No paints, markers, sprays, adhesives, or permanent mediums.
Water may be used for blending.

Space Use:
Stay within your assigned square.
Respect public property at all times.

Clean-Up:
Remove all trash and materials when finished.
Do not rinse chalk into storm drains.

Judging Criteria:
Interpretation of the Americana theme
Creativity & originality
Color use & technique
Overall visual impact

Prize: 1st Place: $100 cash

Winner announced at event conclusion.

 

Art Class – Ages 16 & Up

Join us for a fun and relaxing live art class experience! This step‑by‑step session will guide you through creating an 11×14 canvas painting of a predetermined art piece. No experience needed — just come ready to have a great time!

What’s Included

All paint and supplies
An 11×14 canvas to take home
Step‑by‑step instruction
A completed artwork you’ll be proud of

Bring your friends and enjoy a creative afternoon on the courthouse lawn — it’s going to be a wonderful experience!

Art Vendor Space – Guidelines & Requirements
Vendor Space
Each vendor space measures approximately 10 ft x 10 ft.
Cost is $100
Vendors must provide their own tables, chairs, and canopies.
Art Demonstrations
Live demonstrations are welcome!
Please ensure you:
Clean up after yourself.
Protect all public property and surrounding areas.

Allowed Items:
Traditional Art
Drawings (pencil, ink, charcoal, pastel)
Paintings (acrylic, watercolor, oil, gouache)
Mixed‑media works on canvas or paper
Printmaking (lithographs, etchings, block prints)
Collages
Photography
Fine art photography prints
Digital 2D Art
Digital illustrations
Procreate or tablet-created artwork
Graphic design prints
Digital paintings printed on paper or canvas
Handmade Paper Art
Paper cut art (flat, not pop‑up or 3D)
Hand‑lettering or calligraphy pieces
Posters or art prints made by hand
Other Acceptable Forms
Maps or stylized illustrations
Flat textile art that is explicitly artwork (e.g., printed fabric art), not quilts
Screen-printed art posters
Art cards and fine‑art greeting cards
Flat, framed artwork of any medium
Pottery
Sculptures
Hand‑Painted Functional Items
These items are allowed as long as the focus is original artwork, not mass‑produced products:

Hand‑painted cups or mugs
Hand‑painted books or journals
Hand‑painted canvases or boards
Hand‑painted signs
Hand‑painted ornaments
Hand‑painted coasters
Hand‑painted flat wood pieces
Key rule: The piece must be primarily valued for its art, not for its function.
For example:
A mug with original artwork = YES
A mug with vinyl stickers or commercial patterns = NO

Not Allowed
Just to reinforce what does NOT fit the guidelines:

Quilts
3D‑printed items
Crafts or décor with no original 2D art
Crocheted or knitted crafts
Jewelry or accessories
Food or baked goods
Political, violent, or sexually explicit content
Controversial subject matter
Any merchandise not considered fine art
Note: Although we love our Farmer’s Market vendors, this event is not a market—it is a dedicated art space. Please respect this boundary. We will come support you at the Farmer’s Market this summer!!

Content Guidelines
All displayed artwork must be family friendly.
Prohibited themes include:
Violence
Sexual content or explicit imagery
Political themes
Controversial or divisive subject matter
This is an inclusive environment, and all artists are expected to honor that standard.
Application Requirement

Please upload examples of your artwork with your application.

https://www.canyonmainstreet.org/art-fest