Lake City, a quaint town in South Carolina, may not be the first place that comes to mind when thinking about the vibrant art scene in the Southern United States. However, each year, the town proves otherwise with its annual ArtFields festival. What initially started as a nine-day celebration of art and community has now expanded into a 17-day extravaganza in 2026. This extension provides even more opportunities for artists and art enthusiasts to immerse themselves in creativity as the entire town transforms into a living gallery.
Celebrating its 14th year, ArtFields welcomes both emerging and established artists from across the Southeastern US to participate in its renowned juried competition. Artists working in any medium and residing in states such as Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee can now submit their work for a chance to compete for over $100,000 in cash prizes. The application deadline is set for November 1, and the entry fee is $25.
Scheduled to take place from April 10 to May 2, the 2026 ArtFields festival marks the first time the event will span across 17 days. This significant increase in duration aims to accommodate the growing number of attendees, expanded programming, and additional opportunities for participating artists.
What initially began as an ambitious initiative in 2013 to elevate artists in the South has now become a cornerstone event for the region. ArtFields has awarded over $1 million in prize money to date and has played a pivotal role in launching the careers of numerous creatives. Beyond the flagship festival, ArtFields has evolved into a year-round arts organization dedicated to celebrating and supporting visual artists from the Southeast and beyond.
For artists interested in submitting their work, here is the timeline for the submission process:
– Application Deadline: November 1, 2025
– Selected Artists Notified: December 2025
– Festival Dates: April 10–May 2, 2026
The prizes up for grabs at ArtFields include:
– Grand Prize: $50,000
– Second Place: $25,000
– People’s Choice (2D): $12,500
– People’s Choice (3D): $12,500
– Merit Awards: $2,000 (Five awards)
– Southeastern Partner Awards: Exhibitions and professional opportunities
To learn more about ArtFields and how to participate in this exciting event, visit their website at artfieldssc.org.
