
Since 1984 Hope House Foundation has hosted the Stockley Gardens Arts Festival, a two-day event featuring over 125 artists from across the U.S. and overseas to participate and showcase their art in a variety of mediums, including photography, pottery, sculpture, painting, mixed media and jewelry. Stockley Gardens Park offers the festival a distinctive atmosphere with its peaceful garden setting in the heart of the historic district in Ghent, Norfolk. The festival is free and open to the public and attracts thousands of people who enjoy the art, live music, an array of food and the community atmosphere of the event held in the spring and fall each year.
If you would like to volunteer at the festival please sign-up at this link: (check back soon)
100% of the proceeds from the festivals support individuals with developmental disabilities supported by Hope House Foundation.
Saturday, October 21, 2023 from 10:00AM to 5:00PM
- After Hours Party from 5:00PM – 7PM – all welcome and it is free and open to the public.
Sunday, October 22, 2023 from 12:00PM to 5:00PM
Participating artists:
Medium Key:
PA= Painting
PM= Printmaking
JE= Jewelry
DR= Drawing
GL= Glass
MM= Mixed Media
LE= Leather
PH= Photography
PO= Pottery
ME= Metal
SC= Sculpture
WO= Wood
Live musical performances:
Saturday, October 21
- TBD
Sunday, October 22
- TBD
For the most up to date information visit our Facebook Page!
Are you an artist and interested in participating?
Artist applications are available on zapplication.org until June 30th!
SGAF | Date Artist Application is Available | Date Artist Application is Due |
---|---|---|
Fall 2023 | Currently Open | June 30, 2023 |

Standards
All work displayed must be original, created and executed by the displaying artist’s or artisan’s own hand and of professional quality. This work is absolutely limited to the work of a single artist or two-person collaborative team.
Photo-mechanical reproductions of an artist’s original work may be present in a small quantity in a spin tower or portfolio/bin or hung on one side of one wall, whichever is lesser. The individual prints must be clearly labeled as reproductions. THIS WILL BE STRICTLY ENFORCED.
Ineligible items include items made with commercially available molds or patterns or any item produced commercially or by anyone other than the artist. No representatives or dealers may show. Artists bringing ineligible items to the show risk disqualification. Artists violating the rules of this show or who fail to cooperate with the Festival committee will not be permitted to exhibit.
All displays will be reviewed by the standards committee at intervals throughout the show to ascertain that all items in the booth are the same or better quality as the slides submitted. The artists will be required to remove ineligible items based upon the show’s standards. Please notify the Arts Festival Committee if you see any infractions of the standards.

Emerging Artists
Applicants for the Emerging Artist Exhibit for Stockley Gardens Fall Arts Festival on October 21st & 22nd must be currently enrolled in a college, university, high school, or be a recent graduate.
The application can be found here and must be turned in with artwork by Friday, October 6th, 2023.
For more information contact Laura DeVore at ldevore@hope-house.org
Festival Contributors
Hope House extends many thanks to our sponsors and Friends of Stockley. We are so very thankful for all your support!
PRESENTING SPONSOR

GOLD SPONSORS




COPPER SPONSORS





MEDIA SPONSORS




PRIZE AWARD SPONSORS
Best in Show
sponsored by Helen G. Gifford Foundation
The Alexis Reass 1st Place Memorial Award
sponsored by Dick and Madelyn Reass, in memory of their daughter Alexis.
The “Melayna Sophia” 2ND PLACE Award
Decorum, Palace Shops & Palace Stations, Ghent
3rd Place Memorial Award
sponsor remains anonymous and is in honor of all who volunteer to make the arts festival fun and successful
Norfolk Artist Award
sponsored by Norfolk Commission of the Arts & Humanities
Ed Carson Memorial Award
Claudia Mackintosh, Chandler Realty
Award of Merit
Abe McCormack & Sharon Puryear
Award of Merit
Changes City Spa
Randy Smith Memorial Award (Spring Show ONLY)
Scott & Cindy Mackey, Mackey Ink
The Barnes Page Best Emerging Artist Award
sponsored by Anonnie Mus in memory of Gail Barnes & Judy Page who taught us how to love the arts.
1st
Place Emerging Artist Award
Friends of Stockley
2nd
Place Emerging Artist Award
Friends of Stockley
3rd
Place Emerging Artist Award
Friends of Stockley
FRIENDS OF STOCKLEY
Best Friend
- Anonymous
- Brooks Johnson & Germaine Clair
- Mary Jane Sufficool
- Edward Jones Investments, Irene O’Brien, Financial Advisor
- Matthew McKeon & Vince Zentner
- Chandler Realty, A Rose & Womble Realty Company
- Becky Sawyer in memory of her cousin Amy Casey
Friend
- Ann and Russell Onhaizer
- Nicole Livas in memory of her father Henry Livas
- Laura Henderson in honor of Claus Ihlemann & Robert Roman
- Gary & Muriel Hecht
Buddy
- Mary Kelly
- Debra Keeling
- Bill Goodbar
- Robin Gustin
- Anita Montello in honor of Elena Montello & Brittany Bailey
- Catherine Rothman
- Randall W. Smith, CPA PC
Pal
- Dot Snipes
- Christopher Jones & Diane Catanzaro