Peoria, IL – The Peoria Art Guild is excited to announce the Call for Entry for the 63rd Annual Fine Art Fair, taking place September 27-28, 2025, along the stunning Peoria riverfront. As one of the longest-running and most celebrated art fairs in the Midwest, the Fine Art Fair attracts artists and attendees from across the nation, creating a significant cultural and economic impact on the region.

In 2024, the Fine Art Fair drew more than 8,000 attendees, generating an estimated $535,00 economic impact for the local community. From art sales to tourism spending on accommodations, dining, and shopping, the event continues to be a major driver of economic vitality in Peoria while spotlighting world-class artistic talent.

“The Fine Art Fair exemplifies the power of art to bring people together and invigorate a community,” said Shannon Cox, Executive Director of the Peoria Art Guild. “We look forward to welcoming another incredible group of artists to showcase their work and contribute to the cultural and economic vibrancy of our city.”

Call for Artists

The Peoria Art Guild invites artists working in diverse mediums—painting, sculpture, ceramics, photography, jewelry, fiber art, glass, mixed media, and digital art—to apply to this juried event.

Application Details:

Platform: Apply via Zapplication
Application Fee: $35 (non-refundable)
Deadline: June 1, 2025
Notification: June 24, 2025
Why Participate?

The Peoria Art Guild Fine Art Fair offers:

Visibility: Exposure to thousands of attendees, including collectors, art enthusiasts, and patrons eager to support the arts.
Professional Recognition: Inclusion in a juried event known for its high standards of quality.
Artist Amenities: Booth sitters, artist hospitality, overnight security, and more to ensure a seamless experience.
Artist Awards:
Best of Show: $3,000
3 Awards of Excellence: $1,000 each
All award winners are invited to return to the 2026 Fine Art Fair.
A Community Celebration

The Fine Art Fair is more than just an art event—it’s a vibrant festival featuring live music, interactive art activities, and a wide array of food vendors. It’s a place where art connects with community, fostering a spirit of creativity and cultural exchange.

Apply Today!

An art exhibit of 4 neighbors living on the same block on Harvard Avenue in Peoria. Theresa McDade’s abstract paintings, Lori Reed’s mixed media collages, Joe Couri’s photography and Dave Wood’s stained glass.

Create a Copper bracelet cuff. All supplies included. $35.

Instructor: Lynette Rometti.

Make a set of 4 plant markers for your garden or porch pots in Clay class with Judy. You will be able to choose your glazing colors from blue, green, brown or stone.

Instructor: Judy Harvey

Join Central Illinois Ballet for a breathtaking performance of the classic tale of Cinderella! Witness the enchanting story of love, transformation, and triumph as Cinderella’s dreams come true against all odds.

This timeless fairy tale will captivate audiences with its stunning choreography, exquisite costumes, and a captivating score that will transport you to a world of magic and wonder.

Don’t miss your chance to experience the beauty and magic of Cinderella in a performance that will leave you spellbound. Bring your friends, family, and loved ones for an unforgettable night of dance and fantasy!

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this American Federalist-style house was built in 1837 and is the oldest standing house in Peoria. Built on Peoria’s east bluff, the property offers a spectacular view of the Illinois River Valley. Collections include period furniture, china, tools, quilts and clothing.

Join Central Illinois Ballet for a breathtaking performance of the classic tale of Cinderella! Witness the enchanting story of love, transformation, and triumph as Cinderella’s dreams come true against all odds.

This timeless fairy tale will captivate audiences with its stunning choreography, exquisite costumes, and a captivating score that will transport you to a world of magic and wonder.

Don’t miss your chance to experience the beauty and magic of Cinderella in a performance that will leave you spellbound. Bring your friends, family, and loved ones for an unforgettable night of dance and fantasy!

The Clean Water Celebration is held each spring at the Peoria Civic Center in Peoria, Illinois. The largest event of its kind in the world, students learn how to make a difference by protecting water—our most precious resource. Illinois students, teachers, business professionals and environmentalists, are joined by an odd assortment of tiny tadpoles, wiggly worms, native bluegills, and zebra mussels. There’s nothing like it anywhere.

The Sun Foundation Clean Water Celebration is a truly unique event, a model developed in Peoria for the world. Since its inception in 1994 as a collaboration between the Rivers Project and Sun Foundation, it has reached an estimated 60,000 or more youth and adults.

The goal is to teach the importance of thinking globally and acting locally to protect the right to clean water and a healthy environment. Rich, rigorous, relevant STEM experiences increase knowledge in the community and schools about the importance of water conservation and preservation. The Sun Foundation Clean Water Celebration builds networks of awareness and action.

It is our dream that this program will grow to link school to school, community to community, state to state, and country to country, to take action and clean and protect our water and our environment.

Our celebration incorporates a variety of different programs for students and has grown each year to become a magical educational experience combining both the arts and sciences.

Opening Reception: First Friday, May 2; this exhibition will be on display from April 28 – May 12 in both the Heuser Art Gallery and the Hartmann Center Gallery.

Intro to Abstracts (1 of 2). How to start an abstract, Ruth’s recipe. $60 covers all materials for both classes

Join us for an unforgettable evening celebrating the creativity of CWTC’s talented artists! Enjoy original artwork created through our inspiring art program, empowering individuals to express themselves through various artistic mediums.

Guests can bid on featured pieces, meet the artists, and explore our first-ever Art Market showcasing client-made art. The night also features live music by Jaylin Howard, a community art installation project, wine pull, pop-up flower shop, photo ops, and more—all supporting our artists and CWTC’s art program.

Lite hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar will be available. Don’t miss this vibrant night of creativity, connection, and community!

Date: April 30, 2025
Time: 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Location: Mackinaw Vineyard Tasting Room

COME OUT TONIGHT TO SUPPORT OUR LOCAL MACKINAW LIONS CLUB all proceeds go to this worthy organization that supports projects in our local community!. Click here to learn more about the Lions Club mission.

Play Bingo, have fun, and raise funds for Local chairities and non-profits when you play Bingo with the Bingo Babes! JUST COME TONIGHT TO PLAY or call to sign up!

Local Charities and Non- Profits will benefit with proceeds from the Bingo games donated to their mission. You can win lots of fun prizes, and receive a $10 gift certificate to use at one of our local vendors booths. Bingo, Prizes, Shopping and Wine…means fun for all!

Thanks to Tonights Vendors- Farm to Wick Candles, 31 bags & gifts, Trails & Treasures Jewelry, Tine Town Shirts, Toby’s Sweet Treats, Mixing it Up Baked goods.

Bingo Babes Game Night Schedule

Doors open at 5:00 pm

Bingo starts at 6:00 pm

* for $20- you get 40 bingo cards, 1 dauber, 5 door prizes tickets and a $10 gift coupon for a vendor that night.

* Bring a canned food item for the Food Bank and get more door prize tickets

* 50/50 for prizes

* RAFFLES for prizes

* Door Prizes and

*Local Vendors to shop

* Food- bring your own food and we have snacks for sale too!

* Drinks- all drinks must be bought at the vineyard, no drinks can be brought in

call 309-359-9463 or [email protected] to sign up for a spot early or with questions. Pay when you arrive that night.