FusionFest Festival 9th Annual Edition 2026

WHAT: Local artists are invited to submit original artwork for exhibition and sale at FusionFest 2026. The artwork must have been created within the past three years and should not have been exhibited at FusionFest before.

THEME:  Edge of Renaissance: The Art of Becoming

Humanity renews itself through culture, creativity, and connection. Standing at the threshold of a new era, artists are invited to envision the next chapter of our shared human story—a story still being written, shaped by imagination, resilience, and the rich traditions that connect us.

Note: Nude, political, violent, or racially discriminatory subjects will not be accepted.

DIMENSIONS:

• Minimum: 11" x 14"

• Maximum: 30" high x 36" wide

• Artwork must have finished gallery edges or be framed, and wired, ready for hanging.

• Sculptures: Maximum 3 feet high

This call invites artists to express the uniqueness of their heritage. What are the celebrations, colors, and textures that reflect your cultural background? Artists can submit up to three pieces, and those most aligned with the theme will be selected for the FusionFest Annual Exhibition. Judges will score based on:

1. Skill

2. Creativity

3. Theme

Please note that artwork not meeting the submission requirements will not be selected.

SALES:

• All submitted artwork must be for sale.

• FusionFest takes a 40% commission, and artists receive 60% of the sale.

PRIZES:

• Grand Prize: $1,000

• 2nd Place: $500

• 3rd Place: $250

• Audience Choice Award: $200

SELECTED ARTISTS WILL RECEIVE:

• Display space to hang their selected artwork for sale.

• Promotion on social media and in email newsletters.

• Opportunity to display additional work in other local venues during the festival and beyond.

WHERE & WHEN:
FusionFest – 777 E. Princeton St., Orlando, Florida 32801 (Loch Haven Park)

• Saturday, Nov. 28th 2026 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

• Sunday,   Nov. 29th 2026 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

IMPORTANT DATES:

• Sep.15: Application Deadline

• Oct. 15: Acceptance Notification

• Nov. 27: Drop-off Artwork (Location and time will be confirmed for selected artwork)

• Nov. 27: Installation

• Nov. 29: De-Installation after the 5 p.m. Awards show

Join us at FusionFest Festival 2026 celebrating the 9th annual year and share the vibrant sounds of your heritage with thousands! This is your opportunity to showcase the rich musical traditions that define our diverse cultures.  

Whether it’s the rhythmic beats of African drums, the melodic strains of the Chinese pipa, the iconic Scottish bagpipes, the soulful notes of American blues guitar, the enchanting Indian sitar, the lively French accordion, or the festive tones of Mexican pan flutes, we want to celebrate your unique sound.  

Apply now to be part of this extraordinary cultural tapestry and let your music and dance resonate with the world!  

Important Dates to Remember
July 4, 2026 – Performer applications open.

September 15, 2026 (11:00 p.m.) – Application deadline. The application portal will close, and late submissions will not be accepted.

September 30, 2026 – Curatorial review is completed, and selected music and dance performers will be notified via email.

October 10, 2026 – Deadline for all required performer paperwork and documentation.

By October 15, 2026 – Performance schedules and event details will be distributed to all confirmed performers.

Zoom Meeting will be announced promptly all the initial process is compelted. 

 Global Colors of Culture: A Family Fashion Experience

Join us for a vibrant celebration where fashion becomes a living story of heritage, identity, and love across generations.

At Global Colors of Culture, families take the spotlight, mothers and daughters, fathers and sons, walking the runway on our main stage side by side to honor the traditions they carry in their hearts and wear with pride.

This is more than a fashion show, it's a cultural showcase where clothing becomes a canvas for storytelling. We invite you to express the beauty of your roots, whether through ancestral garments, modern interpretations of tradition, or a creative fusion of both.

Let’s explore together how traditions are inherited, reimagined, and passed on through language, symbols, fabrics, and family pride. From colorful embroidery to ceremonial outfits, from dances to accessories that speak of home, every detail tells a story worth sharing.

 Celebrate identity.
 Walk with your loved ones.
 Wear your culture proudly.

Let the runway become a bridge between generations.

Spaces are limited!

Globalfashion@fusionfest.org

Showcase Your Cultural Heritage at FusionFest!

Festival Dates: Thanksgiving weekend at the Loch Haven Park in Orlando.

This is your chance to highlight your heritage by displaying items, costumes, and information that represent your culture. FusionFest will provide a table and wall grid for you to showcase your chosen items. You may also want to have a staff member on hand to engage with festival-goers and share your story. Set up on Friday, and load out after 6pm on Sunday.

Curators Cassandra Pivacco and Samir Fkiyi will select 20 organizations that represent cultures from around the world to create a dynamic and diverse experience for attendees from Central Florida.

What FusionFest Provides:

• An audience of thousands

• Social media post with a tag to increase exposure

• A covered 8x8 space exclusively for your organization
  Nighttime security for your display
  What Participating Organizations Provide:

• A completed application submitted by November 21st

• Decorations, materials, and cultural elements to creatively display and share your cultural heritage through an interactive and educational experience

• Displays and activities that may include artifacts, traditional clothing, photographs, cultural objects, maps, educational materials, demonstrations, music, stories, or other elements that help visitors learn and engage

• An interactive experience that encourages attendees to explore, ask questions, participate, and learn about your culture, traditions, history, and heritage

• A commitment to participate for both days of FusionFest and to keep your space staffed, active, and welcoming throughout the festival

• Participation Guidelines:

  FusionFest is a cultural education and engagement experience, not a sales or promotional opportunity. The purpose of each participating organization’s space is to educate attendees and celebrate cultural heritage through interactive displays, artifacts, demonstrations, stories, traditions, and conversation.

   

  Sales are not permitted. Participating organizations cannot sell merchandise, food, products, services, tickets, memberships, or other items from their FusionFest space.

  
  Commercial promotion is not permitted. The space cannot be used to advertise, promote, or solicit business for any company, business, product, or service.

  
  Company promotion is not permitted. Organizations cannot use their cultural display or activities to promote, advertise, endorse, or generate business for a company or commercial entity.

  
  Political promotion is not permitted. Political campaigning, partisan political materials, political endorsements, political advertising, or political solicitation cannot be displayed, distributed, or conducted within the participating organization’s space.

   

  Nonprofit organizations may share information about their own mission and cultural work, provided that the information supports the educational and cultural purpose of the experience and does not become a sales, fundraising, commercial, or political activity.

  
  All displays, materials, and activities must be family-friendly, respectful, inclusive, and appropriate for FusionFest’s diverse audience.

  
  By submitting an application, the participating organization agrees to follow these guidelines and understands that participation is contingent upon maintaining the cultural, educational, and interactive purpose of the festival.

  
  Our goal is to create spaces where attendees can discover cultures through meaningful experiences, not through sales or promotion.

   

PLEASE NOTE:

New location, Loch Haven Park, 777 E Princeton Street, Orlando, FL 32803

Service/Nonprofit Vendor is for Non-profit, 501-c-3 organizations providing services to the community.

Cost is $175

FusionFest is Saturday November 28th 10am-8pm and Sunday November 29th 12pm-6pm, 2026

FusionFest load-in is Friday November 27th. If you are unable to load-in on Friday November 27th please do not apply for this event.

Load-out is Sunday November 29th after the event ends. 

 
Before starting your application, please note that:
 
1) You will be required to enter credit card information for the fee payment but you will only be charged after your application is approved. We will let you know by email when the payment will be processed.
 
2) Approval notifications will be sent via email by October 1st, 2026.
 
3) Read the Terms & Conditions before applying.
 

PLEASE NOTE NEW LOCATION:

Loch Haven Park, 777 E Princeton Street, Orlando, FL 32803

MERCHANDISE: Culturally relevant and hand crafted items. No machine created, mass produced items or generic items.

Cost is $175

FusionFest is Saturday November 28th 10am-8pm and Sunday November 29th 12pm-6pm, 2026

FusionFest load-in is Friday November 27th. If you are unable to load-in on Friday November 27th please do not apply for this event.

Load-out is Sunday November 29th after the event ends. 

 
Before starting your application, please note that:
 
1) You will be required to enter credit card information for the fee payment but you will only be charged after your application is approved. We will let you know by email when the payment will be processed.
 
2) Approval notifications will be sent via email by October 1st, 2026.
 
3) Read the Terms & Conditions before applying.
 

PLEASE NOTE NEW LOCATION:

Loch Haven Park, 777 E Princeton Street, Orlando, FL 32803

Premium Vendor is Commercial services and/or top quality merchandise. 

Premium Vendor includes:

-Logo on signage

-Premium placement at the festival
-Announced from the stage
-Credentials for the VIP/Media spot  

Cost is $1,000

FusionFest is Saturday November 28th 10am-8pm and Sunday November 29th 12pm-6pm, 2026

FusionFest load-in is Friday November 27th. If you are unable to load-in on Friday November 27th please do not apply for this event.

Load-out is Sunday November 29tth after the event ends. 

 
Before starting your application, please note that:
 
1) You will be required to enter credit card information for the fee payment but you will only be charged after your application is approved. We will let you know by email when the payment will be processed.
 
2) Approval notifications will be sent via email by October 1st, 2026.
 
3) Read the Terms & Conditions before applying.

PLEASE NOTE NEW LOCATION:

Loch Haven Park, 777 E Princeton Street, Orlando, FL 32803

FusionFest is Saturday November 28th 10am-8pm and Sunday November 29th 12pm-6pm, 2026

FusionFest load-in is Friday November 27th. If you are unable to load-in on Friday November 27th please do not apply for this event.

Load-out is Sunday November 29th after the event ends. 

 
Before starting your application, please note that:
 
1) You will be required to enter credit card information for the fee payment but you will only be charged after your application is approved. We will let you know by email when the payment will be processed.
 
2) Approval notifications will be sent via email by October 1st, 2026.
 
3) Read the Terms & Conditions before applying.

FOOD REQUIREMENTS:

1. You are required to offer at least one $4 item(food or drink) but may sell up to three $4 items(food or drink).

2. You will be required to upload photos of all $4 items.

3. Vendors may offer additional food/drink items at any price; these items do not need to be listed on this application.

4. Vendors are responsible for collecting payments directly from patrons.

5. Please read the Terms & Conditions carefully before submitting your application.