The Grand Detour Arts Festival committee is now accepting applications from artists for its 77th annual event, scheduled for September 13 at the John Deere Historic Site. The juried show is open to all artists and artisans working in original media, including painting, sculpture, jewelry, and crafts, and features cash awards and a Best of Show prize with no sales commission charged. Applications for a separate student art exhibit are also being accepted, with submissions due by August 22.
This call for entries highlights the ongoing vitality of community-based, regional art festivals that provide direct exhibition and sales opportunities for local artists outside the commercial gallery system. The festival's long-running history and inclusion of student categories underscore its role in fostering local artistic talent and engaging the broader public in a accessible, non-profit setting.