Arts & Crafts Resources
Arts & Crafts At-a-glance
Are you a designer from Dallas, a craftsman from Corpus or a Photographer from Plainview? Wherever you are and whatever you love to do, the State Fair’s Arts & Crafts have got you covered! To learn more about each department and the various classes, download the guide when it is available and locate the desired Arts & Crafts section you wish to enter. After registering online, all that’s left to do is get creative and produce your masterpiece!
Check back soon when the registration portal opens!
Arts & Crafts Handbook
For all information and details about who can enter, any rules or restrictions, and what dates to lookout for, please view and download the handbook below.
Let’s get creative!
Download the Arts & Crafts HandbookWho can Enter an Arts & Crafts Contest?
Fair fans of all ages can join!
There is a variety of contests and categories to choose from even if you are a beginner or a professional. All skill levels and walks of life are eligible for Arts & Crafts Contests!
Youth
(Junior – 13 to 17/ Child – 12 & Younger)
The Fair has designated special categories for those ages 17 and under. Many of our contests have both a Junior Division and a Child Division to better match the skill sets of our younger contestants.
Adult Amateur
(18+ years of age)
Anyone age 18 and over, who engages in the contests subject matter as a hobby, is welcome to enter any of the categories designated in the Adult Amateur Divisions.
Teacher and Professionals
The Fair has created special categories for Fair fans whose skill level is beyond that of an amateur. Designated “Teacher & Professional” categories are for individuals who list and sell items (related to the subject matter of the contest) on a personal website, global marketing platform, or social media site
For more information on what age and skill group applies to you, please consult the Creative Arts Handbook.
Key Dates
• March 25 – Arts & Crafts Contest Guide Available for download
• May 6 – Online registration opens for ALL contestants
• August 27 – Arts & Crafts winners announced
Entry Drop-off
Contestants may drop off their entry at any of the Creative Arts Building on one of the following days:
• July 31st – 11a.m. to 7 p.m.
• August 1st – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• August 2 – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Entry Pick Up
• August 28 – 29 – Pick up of non-winning Arts & Crafts entries.
• October 23 – 24 (Post-Fair) – Pick up of winning Arts & Crafts entries.
Mail In Deadline
Contestants may also mail in their entries before the entry deadline. Please check the Arts & Crafts Guide for more mail in and mail back information.
• Before July 27th – Arts & Crafts mail in entry deadline
Winning Entries
• Winning Entries will be posted online the last week of August.
• All winning entries, including honorable mentions will be displayed in cases at the Creative Arts building during the run of the Fair. Winning entries can be picked up at the Creative Arts Building on October 23 or October 24.
Judging
• Entries are judged against other entries within the Samne category based on individual merit.
• Best of Show – The Best of Show award recognizes each category’s highest-scoring entry out of all the first-place winners. Some contests, divisions, or categories may not be eligible for Best of Show and will be noted in the contest rules.
• Director’s Award – The Director of the Creative Arts Department will select one entry representing the superior craftsmanship and creativity from all the Arts & Crafts entries.
General Entry Rules
All contests and categories may have their own individual rules and guidelines for entry. Please consult the Arts & Crafts Guide for all in-depth information.
• All entries are for amateurs only, except the “Teachers and Professionals” categories
• You cannot enter one piece in multiple categories. One item per category only.
• No edible items are allowed except for in the canning category.
• Any entry that previously won a ribbon in a State Fair of Texas contest may noy be re-entered.
• Contests must enter the age and skill division that applies to them.
•All entries must be appropriate for family viewing.
Arts & Crafts Categories
Here’s a quick rundown of the different contest categories you can anticipate choosing from. For more details and any answers to any questions you may have, please view the Creative Arts Handbook for more information.
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Canning
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Craft Creations
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Needlework
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Dolls
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Fine Arts
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Glue-a-Shoe
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Hobby Collections
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Holiday Corner
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Photography
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Scale Models
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Sculpture
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Sewing & Quilting
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Yarn
Get Inspired with these Texan-Made Creations
Creative Arts Resources
For any questions you may have or a link to all important information regarding Creative Arts contests at the fair, please visit the Creative Arts Resources page. There you’ll find a How-to-Register guide if it’s your first time entering a contest, links to contest handbooks, and general FAQ for any issues you may have.
Creative Arts Resources
