May 30 - June 1, 2025
The Federal Way Arts Commission is excited to announce the 3rd Annual “Arts Explosion” Juried Art Show Festival, taking place from May 30th to June 1st, at the Performing Arts & Events Center (PAEC). This vibrant festival will celebrate the diversity of Federal Way, showcasing the talents of both adult and youth artists, while promoting artistic growth and community engagement.
“Arts Explosion” will feature the display, judging, and sale of artwork in five categories: Photography, Mixed Media (includes Digital Art), Textiles, 3-Dimensional art, and Paintings/Drawings/Prints. Artists will select the category that best fits their work. We are thrilled to also include youth artists, who will have the opportunity to present their artwork at no cost. Awards for both adult and youth artists will be presented by distinguished judges at an exclusive, invitation-only ceremony on Friday, May 30th. Throughout the weekend, the public will have the chance to cast their vote for the “People’s Choice” award during public viewing hours. The festival is open to the public from May 30th to June 1st. Saturday will feature a special children’s art activity and food, while Friday and Sunday will offer opportunities for judging, reflection, artwork purchase, and relaxation. Purchased art will be available for pick-up on Sunday afternoon.
We deeply appreciate the generous sponsorship from your business/organization, which helps us continue to present a premier Art Festival that supports the growth of arts and culture in Federal Way, strengthening the fabric of our community.
Artist Submission Information
Artist submissions open January 18, 2025.
The second Annual “Arts Explosion” Festival is an juried art competition in three categories: Photography/Digital; Two-Dimensional artwork; and Three-Dimensional artwork.
Youth Artists will submit one artwork: Youth Artists from the Federal Way area high schools will submit, for free, a stylized self-portrait of themselves. All artwork will be a standard 8 x 10 size.
Eligibility: Entries must be original, entirely the work of the entrant, and executed within the past three years (since March 15, 2020). Work must have been done without the supervision of an instructor. Copies of existing artworks or works solely based on copyrighted artworks are not eligible. All work must be gallery-ready for display, with the appropriate framing, hanging wires, supports, etc. No saw-tooth hangers or ring hangers are allowed.
Eligibility for Youth Artist: Entries must be original, entirely the work of the entrant, and executed within the past year (since March 15, 2023). Copies of existing artworks or works solely based on copyrighted artworks are not eligible.
Jurors: The judges for our event will be three professional judges to be chosen at a later date.
Entry Fee: Adult Artists - $25 per entry up to FIVE entries. Youth Artists - free of entry fee.
APPLY ONLINE: Adult Artists may submit as often as they like. Youth Artists may submit one piece of artwork. Adult Artists may enter more than one category. All entries will be juried from digital images and invitations given to join. Awards will be judged by the jurors described above from the original works of art. Please register at https://www.callforentry.org/