ArtFields Festival Expansion!

Mary Sleeping on the Gold Couch by Thomas Michael Meddaugh on display in a’Bloom during the 2025 ArtFields Festival

ArtFields Expands to 17 Days in 2026, Offering More Immersive Art Experiences, More Impact, and More Time to Celebrate Art

In a town where art was used as the unlikely choice as a tool for reinvention and barber shops, boutiques, and cafes became galleries each year, ArtFields has always done things differently. Starting as just an annual art competition and now growing into an entire organization with year round art events, ArtFields has been thinking outside the box about what it means to celebrate art and community. And in 2026, ArtFields is doing it again—this time by giving artists and visitors more of everything they love.

What began in 2013 as a nine-day celebration of Southern art and community will grow into a 17-day festival in 2026, running from April 10th through May 2nd. This nearly two-week expansion marks the biggest evolution in ArtFields’ history—and it’s a response to the ever-growing momentum behind what’s become one of the most anticipated art events in the Southeast.

2026 Competition Artwork Viewing Hours

Tuesday – Wednesday: 10AM to 5PM
Thursday – Saturday: 10AM to 6PM
*closed Sunday & Monday

The ArtFields Festival is anchored by our signature art competition where art is displayed in 40+ venues around downtown. Whether getting a haircut or grabbing coffee, visitors encounter artwork created by some of the top artists living and working in the South. Each year, painters, sculptors, photographers, and creators of all kinds converge in Lake City to compete for over $100,000 in cash prizes through the competition. The 2026 artist submission window is now open through November 1, with an entry fee of $25 and eligibility extended to artists living in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.

The expansion isn’t just about adding days—it’s about deepening the experience. With more time comes more room for programming, artist talks, live performances, and community-driven projects that make the festival feel alive in every corner of the city. Through this expansion, Lake City will continue its transformation into a sprawling, immersive gallery where art isn’t just viewed—it’s lived.

To date, ArtFields has awarded more than $1 million to Southeastern artists and provided a launching pad for emerging and established creatives alike. With the 2026 expansion, that commitment only grows stronger.

Follow along with us on social media as we announce additions to the festival each Friday! And go ahead and save several dates within April 10th – May 2nd so you can spend plenty of time in Lake City at the 2026 ArtFields Festival.

Learn more, apply to the competition, or plan your visit at ArtFieldsSC.org.