Policies for Artists 2026

Please read our policies and procedures carefully before applying.

Eligibility for participation in the 2026 Lake Oswego Open Studios tour:

This is a juried event, open to 2-D and 3-D artists creating works of original design.

Lake Oswego Open Studios application process ends April 15, 2026.

$15 jury fee is required to be considered. If you are accepted into the tour an additional Participation Fee will apply. You will also be required to supply images and an art statement- see instructions below.

Artist Studios:

In order to increase traffic for each artist, we are encouraging people to have multiple artists at one location.

  • Artists who live or work in Lake Oswego or West Linn can apply as either a Host Artist (able and willing to host other artists,) or a Neighbor Artist (who live in the area, but want to be hosted.)

  • Artists who live outside Lake Oswego or West Linn who would like to participate are called Guest Artist.

Remember, you are not required to host to participate!

All artists are subject to the jurying process and Neighbor/Guest Artists are also subject to host studio availability.

Participation Fees:

If you are accepted into the tour, the additional Participation Fee is required within 2 weeks of notification.

If you are a Guest or Neighbor Artist, payment is not required until a host studio has been assigned.

Host Artists and Neighbor Artists will pay a $100 Participation Fee.

Guest Artists will pay a $115 Participation Fee.

Art Requirements:

Ensure the majority of work on display for purchase is original art created by you. If commercial reproductions are available, the pieces must be clearly labeled as such. We will not accept 3-d printing, AI art, and art that uses copyright images.

Required Hours:

You must open your studio to the public Saturday, September 26th and Sunday, September 27th from 10am - 5pm

First Look Friday:

Participation in First Look Friday, September 25 from 4pm-7pm is purely optional- but you must decide whether you will participate from the start. If you are a Neighbor Artist or Guest Artist, your First Look Friday participation is dependent upon the participation of your Host.

Demonstrations:

We strongly encourage artists to help educate our community about what it is to be an artist. Discuss and demonstrate your creative process with visitors. We highly encourage studios to have hands-on projects for visitors as well.

Application Procedure:

In your application, you will be required to:

Provide an artist statement of 100 words or less (~750 characters).

Provide 5 high-quality images:

  • 4 images of artwork representative of what you will show during the studio tour. ONE of these images must be in a square format (for social media use)

  • 1 image of you in your studio or with your artwork.

Please label the images: first name/ last name/Art #

EXAMPLE:

  1. MaryCassattArt1

  2. MaryCassattArt2

  3. MaryCassattArt3

  4. MaryCassattArt4

  5. MaryCassatt (you in your studio or with your art)

Artist Requirements:

Tuesday, June 2nd at 6pm we will host a virtual meeting to review high-level event information. Please visit our website page “FOR ARTISTS” after the meeting date if you are unable to attend.

Sunday, June 28, (location & time TBA) we will host an in-person artists’ meet and greet. There we will give out your lawn signs and print materials, share tips for a great event, and get to know other artists. If you are unable to attend, it is your responsibility to coordinate with another participant who can pick up your materials for you.

You are asked to actively promote the Lake Oswego Open Studios via your own social media platforms and email lists, also to distribute postcards, flyers and all promotional materials provided to you. When possible, attend events to promote your own work and studio.

Collect visitor information such as customer emails, visitor count and promote our PASSPORT PROGRAM during the tour and share this information with Lake Oswego Open Studios to assist us in future planning and promotional efforts

Participate in a post tour survey to help us plan future tours.

Cancellation Policy:

If you have to cancel your participation for any reason, please inform us as soon as possible. Notice of cancellation must be received in writing. 50% of the participation fee will be refunded to artists canceling on or before June 1, 2026. Cancellations after this date will not receive a refund.

Payment:

Payment via Zelle or check is preferred to keep help us reduce costs.

Online Credit Card payment is also available for your convenience.

Zelle: Lakeoswegoopenstudios@gmail.com

Check: Please make your check payable to Lake Oswego Open Studios and send check to 2900 Wembley Park Road Lake Oswego, OR 97034

Artist Benefits:

Participation in the tour is a great way to show, share and sell your work to the public. All sales from studio and exhibitions are yours to keep without a commission to LO: Open Studios.

Opportunity to participate in our Preview Exhibits. These are additional ways to show your work. Instructions about how to participate will be coming. Space in these exhibits are on a first come first serve basis.

  • Dee Denton Gallery at the Lakewood Center

  • West Linn Library (pending)

Lake Oswego Chamber of Commerce Friday Networking (all are welcome to attend.)

Exposure via print (postcards, flyers, map); postcard mailings, website and social media marketing.

Networking opportunities with fellow artists and community.

If selected as a Host Artist, have your studio location listed on our print and online maps.

Receive promotional materials such as postcards, flyers, maps, Passport Program and lawn signs.

Be considered for inclusion in advertising campaigns such as ads, postcards, maps, flyers and mailers.

Possible post tour sale if winners of the Passport Program redeems their $100 Art Voucher with you. Good until May 15, 2027.

Questions? Please email lakeoswegoopenstudios@gmail.com

4th Annual Lake Oswego Open Studios Artist 2026 Calendar

Feb 15 - April 15 Artist application period

May 1 Jury notification

May 15 Deadline to accept invitation to participate and pay tour fee

June 1 Last day to drop out and receive 50% refund

June 2 Virtual artists meeting via Google Meet (6pm-7pm)

June 28 Artists’ Meet & Greet (location & time TBA)

July 4 Lake Oswego 4th of July parade (artists and their families are encouraged to participate)

July 17 Dee Denton Gallery/Lakewood Center Marketing images due

August Preview Show at West Linn Public Library (pending)

Aug. 31-Sept. 28 LO Open Studio Preview Exhibit - Dee Denton Gallery Lakewood Center

August 31 Dee Denton Gallery at the Lakewood Center - drop off art at 9am

Sept. 14 Dee Denton Gallery at the Lakewood Center - Art Decked Out (5:00pm-7:00pm)

Sept. 18 Lake Oswego Chamber of Commerce Friday Networking (7:45 -9am, location TBA)

Sept. 25 First Look Friday (4pm-7pm; at selected studios)

Sept. 26-27 Open Studio Tour (10am - 5pm)

Sept. 28 Dee Denton Gallery at the Lakewood Center - pick up unsold art and return lawn signs, passports, contact lists to Deanna (9:30am)

Oct 7-14 Post Tour Survey for Artists

Oct. 7 or 17 Post Tour Celebration (6pm-7:30pm, location TBA)