28 Years of Fine Art and Flip-Flops

Founded in 1992 and held the third Saturday of each May, the Marion Arts Festival presents fifty artists, offering fine art and fine craft to an audience of 10,000, and is consistently named among the top tier of juried art events nationwide.

We’re a By the Community, For the Community Event

Founded in 1992 and held the third Saturday of each May, the Marion Arts Festival offers art of exceptional quality, dishing up a singular and highly anticipated event. Consistently ranked in the top tier of fine art events nationwide, the MAF has been named as being among the Top 25 festivals in the country, as the #1 show featuring 100 artists or fewer, and as the best one-day event in the nation.

Our mission is to create a day during which the highest caliber of art intersects with the broadest possible audience, all in a family friendly setting offering engaging art experiences. These include:

The Empty Bowls Project involves more than 500 area students through the creation of over 1,000 ceramic bowls, which are then donated to the festival and sold day-of to raise funds for area food banks.

Our annual Art in the Depot activity finds attendees of all ages contributing hands-on toward the creation of ceramics to be sold as "Empty Bowls" the following year.

Our Emerging Artists Program showcases the talents of young artists, who have been mentored to sell their work alongside the festival's slate of juried exhibitors.

The 5K Run-Walk takes a flat, fast course through uptown Marion, inviting runners to experience cutting edge race technology features.

Add in a slate of specialty foods and off-beat experiences. In total, the festival offers a high caliber, fully accessible cultural experience – a day of fine art and flip flops, families and connoisseurs, fun and education.

The Marion Arts Festival deeply appreciates community and corporate sponsorships toward the event, and we treasure the individual volunteer support that goes into making each festival.

Interested in helping to plan for 2020?  Contact us for information and encouragement!