27TH ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF FINE CRAFT ON OCTOBER 3 & 4

MILLVILLE, NJ (September 4, 2026) – Celebrating 27 years of artistic excellence, Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center hosts the anticipated annual Festival of Fine Craft on October 3 and 4, rain or shine! This crowd-favorite event features the work of over 150 juried contemporary and traditional artists, unique artist demonstrations, a Beer & Wine Garden, family art activities, WheatonArts signature Glass Pumpkin Fundraiser, live musical entertainment, and more! Throughout the WheatonArts campus, visitors can connect with a diverse community of returning and new artists while exploring, appreciating, and purchasing their handcrafted works of art. From inspired paintings, decorative ceramics, and dazzling jewelry to innovative wood sculptures and vibrant wearables, the Festival offers interesting one-of-a-kind treasures for everyone! Some of the artist demonstrations for this year include basket making, woodturning, tapestry bead weaving, copper flame painting, and more!

Scarecrow Construction is a cherished annual tradition where families come together to create life-sized scarecrows using a playful mix of old clothes and bundles of straw—yours to take home and enjoy. Thanks to a generous PNC Arts Alive grant, guests can also enjoy a variety of free, hands-on art activities, including daisy-chain pony-bead keychains, pinecone spiders, paper-bag scarecrow puppets, sidewalk chalk, and the vibrant Chalk-Topia: Sidewalk Chalk Station. For those looking to explore even more creative outlets, additional fee-based art experiences—such as basket weaving and make-your-own fused-glass crafts—will be offered throughout the grounds.

WheatonArts signature Glass Pumpkin Fundraiser will be back once again as an outdoor installation that invites Festival goers to be immersed around beautifully handcrafted glass pumpkins of all shapes, sizes, and colors—each individually handcrafted by WheatonArts’ Glass Studio Team. Located across from the Pottery Studio, glass pumpkins will be available for purchase, with proceeds supporting arts educational programming at WheatonArts. 

Visitors 21 years and older can grab a seat or a hay bale to enjoy the Beer & Wine Garden (Permit #163105) with selections from Glasstown Brewing Company and Bellview Winery. Various gourmet food vendors and specialty food trucks will line the food court with refreshments for purchase. Additionally, visitors can enjoy live musical entertainment from the Tabernacle Reggae Band on Saturday, October 3, and the Package Goods Orchestra on Sunday, October 4. And the Festival fun doesn’t end there, as everyone can stop by the information table near the front gate to sign up for a chance to win a variety of WheatonArts door prizes! 

Festival hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, October 3 and 4, rain or shine, and are included with general admission to WheatonArts. Admission at the gate is $14 for adults, $13 for senior adults (62+), $8 for students, and free for WheatonArts Members and children ages five or younger. Buy tickets in advance online to save $2.00 per ticket! The offer ends on September 14, 2026.


Experience the Festival along with special exhibitions in the Museum of American Glass and Down Jersey Folklife Center. Admission ticket special: ask for a “Tomorrow Pass” upon exiting the Festival on Saturday to get free access to the Festival on Sunday! Available by request only. Parking and shuttle service are also available free of charge.

Festival programming is subject to change. For more information, call 856-825-6800 or 800-998-4552, or visit wheatonarts.org.

WheatonArts strives to ensure the accessibility of its exhibitions, events, and programs to all persons with disabilities. Provide two weeks’ notice for additional needs. Patrons with hearing and speech disabilities may contact WheatonArts through the New Jersey Relay Service (TRS) at 800-852-7899 or by dialing 711.

Funding has been made possible in part by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, and the New Jersey Cultural Trust. WheatonArts also receives general operating support from the New Jersey Historical Commission, Division of Cultural Affairs in the New Jersey Department of State, and is supported in part by the New Jersey Department of State, Division of Travel and Tourism. 

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About WheatonArts: With a history spanning over five decades, WheatonArts has earned regional, national, and international recognition for its unique collections and programs. The Museum of American Glass (accredited by the American Alliance of Museums) houses one of the most comprehensive collections of American glass in the country – from the first glass bottles made in America to celebrated works by Dale Chihuly, Paul Stankard, and other contemporary glass artists. Visitors experience the art of glassmaking, ceramics, and flameworking in the Artist Studios. From April through December, the Museum of American Glass and Down Jersey Folklife Center present special exhibitions. WheatonArts also offers traditional and multicultural programs, classes, workshops, performances, and weekend festivals. The award-winning Museum Stores offer traditional and contemporary art and craft in all mediums.

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