Two days. One block of Hoyt Avenue. A hundred and twenty artists, free to walk in, and the biggest outdoor art event downtown Everett puts on all year. Fresh Paint 2026 took place on August 15 and 16 — and the Schack runs the festival every summer, so if you missed this year, the next one is worth planning for.
The Schack Art Center runs this every summer and has built something worth making plans for. The vendor list sold out in advance — which tells you this is not a pop-up craft market. Artists apply. They get juried in. The work on Hoyt Avenue that weekend is curated, and you’ll feel it when you walk the block.
Last refreshed: October 17, 2026 (Pacific).
What You’re Walking Into
The festival took over Hoyt Avenue between Pacific Avenue and Hewitt Avenue, two blocks from the Schack itself. The street closed. Booths went up. And from 10am to 5pm on Saturday and 10am to 4pm on Sunday, that stretch of downtown became the most concentrated collection of original art in Snohomish County.
120+ artists span painting, sculpture, glass, jewelry, fiber, ceramics, and photography. Because this is a juried show, there’s a floor to the quality. You’re not wading through mass-produced prints to find the one interesting thing — the interesting things are the whole point.
Admission is free. You pay for art, food, and activities. That’s the model and it works — 10,000+ attendees walk through over the two days, and the Schack has been doing this long enough to know how to move that crowd through a single city block without it feeling like a fire drill.
Glassblowing, Kids’ Activities, and Float Find
The Schack is a working art center, not just a gallery. At Fresh Paint, they demonstrated that — literally. Glassblowing demonstrations ran through the weekend, and watching someone pull molten glass into form at a live outdoor event is the kind of thing you stop for whether you planned to or not. It draws every age group.
Kids’ activity areas were built into the layout, which made this a functional family event and not just an adult art crawl. You can split up, let the kids engage with the activity stations, and walk the artist booths without herding the whole group through every booth.
Float Find is the Schack tradition that turns the festival into a game. Small glass floats — hand-crafted — were hidden around the festival grounds. Find one, keep it — that was the rule. It’s the kind of detail that makes people come back year after year and arrive early.
The Schack’s Track Record on This Street
The Schack Art Center at 2921 Hoyt Ave has been the anchor of Everett’s arts infrastructure since long before the downtown revival picked up pace. Fresh Paint is their statement event — the one where they take the case for arts in this city outside the building and onto the street itself.
If you’ve seen what they do inside the gallery — and the Artists’ Garage Sale gives you a sense of the community energy they generate — Fresh Paint is that but scaled up and opened to anyone walking by. The Contemporary NW + Summer Auction draws serious collectors; Fresh Paint draws everyone else. The two events together define what the Schack is doing for this city.
The regular monthly Everett Art Walk keeps the momentum going through the year, but Fresh Paint is the anchor. It’s the day families mark on the calendar in January.
The Practical Details
What: Fresh Paint 2026 — Schack Art Center Outdoor Juried Art Festival
Saturday August 15: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday August 16: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Where: Hoyt Ave between Pacific Ave and Hewitt Ave, Downtown Everett WA 98201
Admission: Free
Artists: 120+ juried (vendors sold out — this was curated work)
Highlights: Glassblowing demos, kids’ activities, Float Find, food vendors
Parking: Street parking and downtown garages within a few blocks of Hoyt Ave
Full details at schack.org/fresh-paint →
FAQ
When was Fresh Paint 2026?
Saturday August 15 (10am–5pm) and Sunday August 16 (10am–4pm), 2026.
Where is Fresh Paint in Everett?
Hoyt Avenue between Pacific Avenue and Hewitt Avenue in downtown Everett. The street closes for the weekend and becomes the festival grounds.
How much did Fresh Paint cost?
Free admission. You paid for what you bought — art, food, and activities. Vendor spots sold out, but attendance was open to everyone.
How many artists are at Fresh Paint 2026?
120+ juried artists. Vendors sold out for 2026, meaning artists applied and were curated — this was not a craft fair.
What is Float Find at Fresh Paint?
Float Find is a Schack tradition where hidden glass floats are scattered around the festival for attendees to discover and keep. It’s the detail that makes Fresh Paint a repeat-visit event for families.
Is Fresh Paint good for kids?
Yes. Dedicated kids’ activity areas, glassblowing demos, and Float Find. Families who came early had the best shot at the floats.
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