The Lakeshore Art Trail continues to focus on the importance of the arts, especially for our special needs community. This year, we will again offer two sponsored booths for Artists, who self-identify as Special Needs.
PLEASE NOTE:
This application is specifically designed for individuals who self-identify as having special needs. By submitting your application, you confirm that you identify as a person with special needs.
2026 Show Details
Show Dates: Saturday, October 17 & Sunday, October 18, 2026
Show Hours: Saturday 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Sunday 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Reception: To Be Determined
Venue: Small Arms Inspection Building – 1352 Lakeshore Rd E, Mississauga, ON L5E 1E9
Set-Up Date: Friday, October 16, 2026 – Time Slots To Be Determined
2026 Special Needs Artist Booth Details
Booth Size: 7.5′ x 7.5′
Booth Cost: FREE – There is no cost to our Special Needs Artists to participate and no jury fee
Equipment Provided: 1 x 6′ Table, 1 x Chair, Booth Pipe & Drape
Emerging Artists will need to provide their own grid walls/structure, lights, easels to display their work.
Application Process Timeline & Details
2026 Call for Special Needs Artists Opens: Sunday, March 1, 2026
2026 Call for Special Needs Artists Closes: March 31, 2026
Jury Reviews Applications: April 1-16, 2026
Jury Results Sent To Applicants: April 17, 2026
Confirmation: Successful applicants will receive a welcome package and details of promotional material for submission, which will be due by May 3, 2026.
Application Requirements
Please read all requirements carefully before submitting an application.
- This application is specifically designed for individuals who self-identify as having special needs. By submitting your application, you confirm that you identify as a person with special needs.
- Lakeshore Art Trail only accepts original works of art, excluding craft:
- Oil, Acrylic, Watercolour, Mixed Media, Photography, Collage, Sculpture
- A cohesive body of 5 artwork images
- For 2-dimensional submissions, send only one digital image per artwork. For 3-dimensional work, you may submit clearly labeled images of two views per work.
- Your images must reflect a cohesive body of work and be relevant to the category you have selected. They should resemble (in terms of medium and style) the artworks you intend to showcase during the Trail. (See image submission formatting below)
- A brief Artist Bio & Statement OR Answers to 3 questions about your artwork and process on the application
- Please Note: Each applicant is carefully considered by two external jury members and one Lakeshore Art Trail Executive member.
- Emerging Artists are selected based on quality, artistic merit, design, craftsmanship, and creative use of materials.
- Jury results will be sent out via email by April 17, 2026
Click here to learn more and apply.