Port Angeles Fine Arts Center Wintertide Light Art Instillation
Exhibit Dates: November 27, 2026 - January 1, 2027
Applications: Will be accepted on a rolling basis with the final application deadline: Sept 8th at 11:59 PM
Festival: December 12th, 2026
Theme: Nature After Dark- Illuminating the darkness through connection
When the sun falls below the horizon and the sky goes dark, what aspects of the forest come alive?
This year, for our Wintertide Light Art Experience, we are once again asking artists to construct installations that interpret animals, plants, organisms, or human connections that generate light in the darkness. This can include flowers that bloom at night, plants or animals that glow when UV light is shined upon them, insects which emit light, or the use of light to bring humans or animals together in connection.
All sculptures must have a light element to them, be bright enough to be seen in a dark forest, and be able to withstand being outside for up to two months. The selected works will be exhibited alongside more than 100 existing sculptures throughout Webster's Woods, a 5 acres of forested parkland, transforming the park with light and color through the darkest nights of the year. Light Art Sculptures will be lit nightly from 4-8pm. Participating artists are encouraged to join us for live outdoor performances and a community celebration of light at our annual Wintertide Festival on December 12, 2026. Applicants are encouraged to visit Webster’s Woods Sculpture Park to experience firsthand the park’s terrain and second-growth Olympic forest environment, which presents unique challenges and incredible opportunities for lighted art.
Eligibility: Open to all artists and artist teams located within the United States. Artist teams please designate one primary contact person for your group.
Artwork must:
- Make use of light as a primary design element
- Be the artist or artist team’s own original work
- Be suitable for viewers of all ages
- Be designed to withstand dramatic Pacific Northwest winter weather including high winds, freezing temperatures, and significant rainfall or heavy wet snow
- Be soundly constructed and firmly anchored to prevent vandalism, theft, or injury
- Artwork must have minimal impact on natural surroundings
Terms & Conditions:
- Artists are solely responsible for transportation and installation of their work, to be ready for display no later than November 22rd, 2026. Artists will provide a minimum of 25' extension cord and all materials will be labeled with artists name.
- Final location and installation details will be determined by PAFAC staff, whose decisions are final. Artwork that differs substantially from submitted image(s) or project proposals may not be installed.
- Selected sculptures must be installed between November 12-22, 2026, and must remain in place through January 4th, 2027.
- Work not de-installed by January 17, 2027 will become the property of PAFAC.
- Participating artists will receive a stipend ranging from $300-$1,500 for loan of the work, based on the individual needs of each piece and the artist’s indicated funding request in the application form. Stipend funds will be presented at the time of successful installation.
- PAFAC charges a 40% commission on all sales.
- Artists will hold harmless the PAFAC and the City of Port Angeles from any claim of damage or loss of artworks from any cause whatsoever, during the period the sculpture is displayed.
- Any images submitted or photographs taken of the artwork may be used by PAFAC to promote or advertise the exhibit.
Technical Details:
- We have greatly expanded our A/C power access throughout the park and we anticipate being able to connect standard 110v A/C power to artworks throughout much of the park's 5 acre property, including main paths, open meadow spaces, and dense woodland.
- Unless otherwise specified, PAFAC will supply a timer and extension cord to ensure that our staff can troubleshoot any electrical issues not directly related to your artwork.
- All electrical components provided by the artist must be rated for outdoor use and all connections must be sealed with an appropriate waterproof sleeve or cover.
- Artworks making use of wireless [solar, battery-powered, glow-in-the-dark, etc.] technology may be installed anywhere throughout the 5-acre park; however, our past experience suggests that A/C powered pieces tend to be brighter, more reliable, and easier for staff to troubleshoot.
- PAFAC staff are not able to provide ongoing routine maintenance such as recharging batteries or turning works on/off on a daily basis.
Timeline:
Rolling Acceptance with Final Deadline: Sept 8, 2026 at 11:59PM
Email Notifications No Later: Sept 11, 2026
Installation Dates: November 12 - 22, 2026
Opening Day: Friday, November 27, 2026
Wintertide Festival: Saturday, December 12, 2026
De-installation: January 5 - January 17, 2026
The Port Angeles Fine Arts Center seeks locally-produced artisan gift items for our eighth annual Wintertide Makers Market.
How it Works
The Wintertide Makers Market connects shoppers with inspiring locally-made gifts in a peaceful natural setting. In addition to supporting Olympic Peninsula artists, this event is a key source of income for the nonprofit arts center.
Entries will be accepted through August 9th, 2026.
Participating artists are responsible for preparing and pricing their items (PAFAC will provide sticker barcodes as well, which artists must add to all inventory), setting up an attractive merchandise display in their assigned location in the gallery, and assisting with promotion of the market. Artists will also be expected to abide by inventory and restock scheduling times designated by PAFAC staff. PAFAC will promote and staff the market, manage all sales, and issue commission checks to participating artists.
We will be offering in-person sales ONLY. With this emphasis on in-person sales, we plan to drive market traffic through a series of special events and promotions, including a PAFAC members' preview, extended evening shopping hours each Friday night, and our Wintertide Festival of Lights event.
Merchandise
The Wintertide Makers Market is oriented towards holiday shoppers and includes a wide range of affordable artisan-made gifts. We hope to highlight the value of artist skill and handcrafted items, while also providing a selection of items for a rage of visitor budgets.
We will welcome multiples such as prints, stickers, or mold-made pieces; however, all wares should feature the artist's own original designs. Suitable items include, but are not limited to: art prints, cards, seasonal ornaments, home decor items, wearables, small toys, books, body care goods, and more. See below for more examples.
Allowed:
- Stickers of the artist's design
- Artist prints on other materials (shirts, bags, decor)
- Handmade soaps and candles
- Art reproductions on cards, postcards, or prints
- Books
- Jewelry
- Visual art, fiber art, ceramics, woodworking, glasswork, metalwork
Not allowed:
- Food or consumable items
- A manufactured item with less than 50% artist input or craft.
Please inquire if you have questions about the suitability of a particular item.
Display Spaces
PAFAC staff will do their best to accommodate artist space requests, but curation of the market and final decisions will be made by staff. Be aware that there is limited space in the gallery and you may not get the booth dimensions you request. PAFAC staff also reserve the right to alter table displays as they see fit.
Pricing Tiers
Our best-selling artisans include items at a range of price points for different budgets. We encourage artists to feature a few aspirational show pieces at higher prices alongside a selection of smaller and/or simpler designs in the $15-$40 price range. Please do not discount the prices on your time-consuming original work!
Sales & Commission Payments All sales will run through the Port Angeles Fine Arts Center, which takes a 40% commission on sales. Participating artists are encouraged to set retail prices accordingly. Commission checks for Makers Market sales will be mailed on or before December 24, 2026.
Eligibility
The market is open to all artists and artisans residing in Clallam and Jefferson counties.
Timeline
- August 9 – Final Entry Deadline
- August 14 – Final Notification Deadline
- September 3, 5pm-7pm – Makers Market Info Session (strongly encouraged for new participants)
- November 20- 22 – Merchandise delivery & display setup
- November 24 – VIP Market Preview (PAFAC members only)
- November 27 - December 20 – Market open to the public
- December 21- 23 – Market takedown; artists retrieve unsold items
- December 24 – Commission checks mailed on or before this date
PAFAC will be responsible for:
- Promoting the market throughout the Port Angeles area & beyond
- Providing print & digital promotional materials to participating artists & artisans
- Providing security for all items throughout the event
- Staffing the market & managing all sales and taxes
- Tidying, re-merchandising, & replenishing items throughout the event
- Promptly issuing commission checks to participating artists
Participating artists will be responsible for:
- Following instructions carefully, including complying with safety requirements and market deadlines.
- Selecting and preparing merchandise for market, including providing PAFAC with an accurate inventory and marking each item with a price label and SKU barcode.
- Assisting with market promotion, including reaching out to the artist’s own contacts and sharing digital and/or print publicity materials.
- Delivering merchandise and setting up an attractive display prior to the market opening.
- Abiding by the scheduled set up, restock, and take down times established by PAFAC Staff.
- Picking up unsold items promptly after the market closes.