A Celebration of Local Creativity
Experience the heart of our community with a weekend filled with art, music, and hands-on activities for all ages. Discover local talent and find your inspiration—everyone is welcome!
Festival Features at a Glance
Experience the heart and creativity of Keeseville with every brushstroke, note, and smile.
The Keeseville Community Arts Festival brings neighbors together to celebrate creativity in every form. Discover what makes our annual gathering truly special—from hands-on art to joyful activities for all ages. Here, everyone is invited to share, learn, and be inspired.
Community Participation
Our festival welcomes every community member, inviting you to join art-making, exhibitions, and meaningful conversations. Together, we create a vibrant, supportive atmosphere.
✓ Everyone is welcome—no experience required
✓ Create art alongside neighbors
✓ Share your story and voice
Plein Air Artists
The pinnacle of our annual Arts Festival is the culmination of plein air artists from around the northeast who come to our hamlet and surrounding areas to capture the beauty and uniqueness of this region.
After the pieces are complete, they are framed, priced and exhibited where patrons from near and far come to appreciate and add to their collection, or start a new one.
Family-Friendly Activities
We offer engaging, hands-on activities for children and families, making the festival a joyful, safe space for all generations.
✓ Kid-friendly art experiences
✓ Storytelling and reading corners
✓ Inclusive, accessible spaces
Local Partnerships
Our festival thrives thanks to collaborations with local businesses and organizations—strengthening community spirit and supporting local artists and vendors.
Sponsors
KCAF SPONSORS:
Andy & Kathy Prescott
ARTS ACTIVITY SPONSORS:
Charles Kilbourne
SUPPORTER SPONSORS:
Douglas G. Smith
The 2026 Show & Sale will take place in the historic Old Stone Mill located at 126 Ausable Street in Keeseville. Artists are invited to hang their artwork on panels in the event space on Friday. A walkthrough of this historic space will be available during canvas stamping hours.
Awards
First Prize: $1000
Second Prize: $500
Third Prize: $250
2026 Special Awards:
Ausable Chasm Award: $1000 prize, sponsored by Ausable Chasm.
This prize will be decided by a guest judge for painting that best captures the spirit of the Ausable Chasm. This category is optional to participate in.
Passes are available for artists at the Chasm Orientation on Tuesday, July 14th at 3:00pm
Uplifting Community Award: $250 prize
This category is optional to participate in, but will help the Keeseville Free Library reach its goals of providing artwork that feels accessible to all members of the community. Artwork for this prize category will need to be priced at or below $250. If an artist elects to participate in the “Uplifting Community” category of the festival, the painting will not count against the maximum number of paintings that artists may enter in the show, and will not be judged except against other “Uplifting Community” prize submissions. This piece does not need to be framed and can be painted on whatever canvas the artist chooses.
Artists’ Choice Award: $250 prize
Plein Air artists will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite body of work in the show done by a different artist. The Artists’ Choice Award will be awarded to whomever receives the most votes.
People’s Choice Award: $250 prize
Individuals in attendance will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite artist, based on the artist’s body of work in the show. The People’s Choice Award will be awarded to the artist receiving the most votes.
Please note: special awards are subject to change and more prizes may be added prior to the festival. All prizes except the Artists’ Choice and People’s Choice are awarded by a panel of three judges selected by the Keeseville Free Library
Festival Schedule at a Glance
Plan your perfect festival experience—explore workshops, art walks, and live performances each day.
| Tuesday, July 14th 2026 | 8:00AM – 12:00PM | Artist Check-in and Canvas Stamping Orientation and Free Painting | Stone Mill 126 Ausable Street, Keeseville |
| Tuesday, July 14th 2026 | 3:00PM | Ausable Chasm Passes and Instructions | Ausable Chasm 2144 US-9, Ausable Chasm |
| Tuesday, July 14th 2026 | 4:00PM – 6:00PM | Artist Meet & Greet Welcoming Reception | Stone Mill 126 Ausable Street, Keeseville |
| Wednesday, July 15th – Friday July 17th 2026 | Paint Keeseville and Surrounding Areas | ||
| Friday, July 17th 2026 | 11:00AM – 2:00PM | Framed Paintings Due | Stone Mill 126 Ausable Street, Keeseville |
| Friday, July 17th 2026 | 2:00PM | Jurying begins | Stone Mill 126 Ausable Street, Keeseville |
| Friday, July 17th 2026 | 4:00PM – 5:00PM | Preview Party for Sponsors, hosted by Keeseville Free Library | Stone Mill 126 Ausable Street, Keeseville |
| Friday, July 17th 2026 | 5:00PM – 6:00PM | Public Opening Reception and Awards Announcements | Stone Mill 126 Ausable Street, Keeseville |
| Saturday, July 18th 2026: Show and Sale | 10:00AM – 3:00PM | Art Show and Sale | Stone Mill 126 Ausable Street, Keeseville |
| Saturday, July 18th 2026 | 10:00AM – 1:00PM | Plein Air Brunch | Stone Mill 126 Ausable Street, Keeseville |
| Saturday, July 18th 2026 | 2:00PM – 3:00PM | Show Closing – Artists may pick up any unsold works at this time | Stone Mill 126 Ausable Street, Keeseville |
Details:
Tuesday, July 14, 2026: Orientation and Free Painting
8:00 am – 12:00 pm Artist check-in and canvas stamping at the Stone Mill, 126 Ausable Street in downtown Keeseville . Please bring all canvases to be stamped. If you arrive after 12:00 noon and no one is at the canvas stamping location, please bring your canvases to the Keeseville Free Library, located at 1721 Front St., Keeseville or call (518) 834-8054 to make arrangements with the Keeseville Free Library to have your canvases stamped.
A map will be provided with suggested painting locations and the Keeseville Free Library volunteers and staff will be available to answer questions about suggested local painting sites during Artists Check-In.
3:00pm: Artists will meet the Ausable Chasm Manager and Keeseville Free Library volunteer to receive Ausable Chasm passes and instructions.
4:00 pm – 6:00 pm Artist Meet & Greet: Join the Keeseville Free Library staff and the Keeseville Community Arts Festival Planning Committee for a welcome reception at the Stone Mill. Hosts of artists and owners of plein air painting sites are also invited to attend.
Wednesday, July 15 – Friday July 17, 2026: Paint Keeseville and Surrounding Areas
Artists are encouraged to paint the breathtaking AuSable Chasm or the calmer waters of the AuSable river that run through the town. Scenes from Lake Champlain and Augur Lake are also encouraged.
Keeseville is home to several magnificent small farms. Artists are encouraged to paint the pastures, animals, and equipment that make these places so alive.
Artists are encouraged to paint the beautiful historic architecture in Keeseville. Focus on the unique stone buildings, one of the three historic bridges, or one of the incredible homes downtown.
Friday July 17, 11:00 am to 2:00 pm: Framed paintings due at the Stone Mill. Artists will be hanging their own work, which must be hung by 2:00 pm when the jurying begins.
4:00 pm – 5:00 pm: Artists are invited to attend the Keeseville Free Library’s special preview party for festival sponsors, to be available to talk about their work.
5:00 pm – 8:00 pm: Public opening reception and awards announcements. Artists and those hosting artists are welcome to attend this reception for free.
Saturday, July 18, 2026: Show and Sale
10:00 am – 3:00 pm: Art Show and Sale at the Stone Mill. Keeseville Free Library staff and volunteers will oversee the show, so artists can spend the day enjoying the community and painting, but are of course welcome to spend time at the gallery.
10:00 am – 1:00 pm: Plein Air Brunch at the Stone Mill – baked goods, local yogurt, fruit, mimosas and the opportunity to buy art. Artists and their hosts are welcome to attend this brunch for free.
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm Artists may pick up any unsold works during this time.
Artist Registration
The registration for the 2026 Keeseville Community Arts Festival is now closed. Thank you for your interest!
Please consider joining the wait list should a spot become available.
Festival Artist Showcase
Each year, the Keeseville Community Arts Festival brings together creative voices from across our region. Take inspiration from these wonderful works by past festival artists—every piece tells a story of local pride and heartfelt expression. We hope these highlights spark your own creativity and encourage you to join our caring arts community.
