Arts Explosion
The Arts Explosion Festival, a combined effort of the Kiwanis Foundation of Federal Way and the City of Federal Way Arts Commission, is the 2nd annual juried art contest in Federal Way. Open to the public for purchase of the art.
The public days of the Arts Explosion Arts Festival are Friday, May 31st through June 2nd, 10 am - 5 pm.
- Friday, May 31st, is the first public day of art viewing and is also the invitation-only awards ceremony from 6 pm - 9 pm.
- Saturday, June 1st, is the festival day complete with artworks, a kid’s art corner, food truck and entertainment.
- Sunday, June 2nd, is a day of reflection as repose among art.
Purchasing of art is encouraged on any day. We welcome everyone to the Performing Arts and Event Center for this 2nd-annual arts festival.
The Federal Way Arts Commission and the Kiwanis of Federal Way are happy to announce the 2nd annual juried art show festival, “Arts Explosion,” to be held May 31st - June 2nd, 2024, at the Performing Arts & Events Center (PAEC). The festival will feature the diversity that is Federal Way, include both adult and youth artists, and celebrate artistic development and community engagement. This event is free to the public!
The “Arts Explosion” festival will encompass the displaying, judging, and selling of art in three categories: digital/photography, 2-dimensional, and 3-dimensional art. All artists will decide which category their artwork applies to. We are happy to include youth artists this year, and present their stylized self-portrait artwork free of charge. Adult and youth artist winners will be recognized by renowned judges on Friday, May 31st, at an evening invitation-only awards ceremony. The public will award the “People’s Choice” award throughout the duration of the public viewing hours. The event is open to the public during the days of May 31-June 2. Saturday will include a special children’s art station and food. Friday and Sunday will be open for judging, reflection, purchasing of artwork, and repose. All artwork, including purchased, will be collected on Monday, June 3, 2024.
Artist Submission Information (CLOSED)
Artist submissions open January 20, 2024. Artist submissions close April 20, 2024.
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/