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The 27th annual Strawberry Festival is again expected to attract 10,000 guests to the heart of Kokomo on June 6. Artists in fine art and fine craft disciplines are invited to apply for inclusion in the Artsapalooza Art Market, the promoted and reserved arts area of the festival hosting up to 80 artists.
The festival features strawberry shortcake and ice cream desserts for sale, more than 150 booths, the juried Artsapalooza Art Market, art-making activities, live music, free kids play areas, food vendors, craft beer and cocktails throughout the walkable downtown festival grounds, as well as free admission.
“We’re stepping up our art game with the 2025 Strawberry Festival and Artsapalooza Art Market because we believe strawberries and great art pair well together,” said Susan Alexander, Downtown Initiatives Manager of the Greater Kokomo Economic Development Alliance. “We want to grow the high-quality arts area by attracting artists from all over the Midwest. In 2024, we had 40 artisans showing off their talents and creativity. This year, we want our market to be bigger and better to give our art-loving, strawberry dessert-eating guests more reasons to attend.”
The Artsapalooza Art Market is searching for creative people who specialize in artisan craft, ceramics, digital art, fiber, glass, jewelry, metalwork, mixed media, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, and woodworking. Interested artists are invited to apply at www.greaterkokomo.com/strawberryfestival by clicking the strawberry button labeled “Be an Artsapalooza Vendor.”
Artists will be directed to the ZAPP portal, which enables artists to apply online. Applicants should apply on or before Jan. 31 to be considered. Four digital images will be required for submission: three individual photo samples of artwork and one of a booth display, as well as a $35 application fee. Artists must make their own artwork and not resell mass-produced products. Reproductions of artwork such as art prints are acceptable.
Artists for the Artsapalooza Art Market are chosen by a jury from Monday, Feb. 3, to Thursday, Feb. 6. The jury is composed of festival committee members and Indiana artists. Entries for every category and style of work are balanced intentionally for a fair amount of competition between artists and the overall variety and appeal of the festival to customers.
The number of exhibitors in each category and selection of exhibitors shall be determined by the jury. Artwork that is unique, representative of a broad range of media, and that demonstrates creativity and originality in concept, design, and execution will be selected. Creators who have been chosen will be notified on Feb. 7.
For more information, visit www.greaterkokomo.com/strawberryfestival. Applications must be submitted no later than Jan. 31.