A variety of artists will converge on the Dallas/Fort Worth area this weekend at the Cottonwood Art Festival in Richardson, TX held semi-annually at Cottonwood Park every first full weekend in May and October.
“Located in scenic Cottonwood Park in Richardson this prestigious art show has been a part of Richardson life for over 40 years,” said Serri Ayers, Director of the Cottonwood Art Festival.
In fact, for the juried art show this year now in its 46th year attendees will find 240 artists ranging in categories from 2D Mixed Media, 3D Mixed Media, Ceramics, Digital, Drawings/Pastels, Fiber, Glass, Jewelry, Leather, Metalwork, Painting, Photography, Sculpture and Wood.
There will also be live music, a children's ArtStop area, food and beverages.
“This fall’s featured artist at the Richardson Cottonwood Art Festival is Teri Causey,” said Ayers “who says that painting is her joy in life, and she is inspired to create pieces that spur memories for all who enjoy it. Teri’s mixed media paintings start with a wash of color. She adds screen printing and Mylar image transfer, which imprints the images directly on the wood, to create stunning pieces that add spark to home or office décor.”
For the kids, ArtStop is the festival's colorful, interactive children's area.
“We’re poppin’ in even more color with a new Wee Weavers activity inspired by the latest trend in pop up yarn art,” Ayers said. “Staffed by more than 100 volunteers, ArtStop is a hands-on world of art with life-size paint brushes and paint cans lined with art activities that unleash the creativity in every child.”
Children can get artsy with feathers, pom-poms, sequins, glitter and glue decorating a Cottonwood Crazy Cool Cap, throw some mud on a pottery wheel guided by ArtStop's own master potters, or sit down at an easel and paint a Classic on Canvas. Other ArtStop activities for young children include Chalk Board Easels, Chisel Away (chip and sculpt on a large blocks of plaster) and Magnetic Masterpieces. There will also be activity stations like Fancy Fingers, Tile Treasures and Rollin’ and Recyclin.
Culinary offerings highlight the festival too and Ayers said there will be plenty of food and beverages to pair.
“Revel in the Maine coast’s best with a lobster roll from Cousins Maine Lobster or try scallops and shrimp from Big Shucks Oyster Bar. Nod to the Lone Star State with barbeque from award-winning Sonny Bryan’s Smokehouse or the wild game from The Texas Pitstops,” Ayers said.
The Taste of Cuba food truck will also be on hand where Dallas chef Isaac Rousso will offer his popular Rousso’s Cuban Sandwich along with empanadas, tamales and more. Traditional festival fare can also be found like Cornway’s Corndogs, which will serve up fresh-squeezed lemonade, funnel cakes and smoothies.
Also at the new craft beer garden in Lakeside Courtyard, folks will find an epic lineup of local brews like Deep Ellum Blonde, Revolver Blood and Honey, Lakewood Lager, Grapevine’s Sir Williams and Rahr & Sons Ugly Pug or there is the ever-popular Mimosa Mornings – handcrafted mimosas paired with breakfast tacos – and freshly made margaritas and glasses of wine.
The festival will be held Saturday, October 3, 2015 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday, October 4, 2015 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cottonwood Park is located at 1321 W. Belt Line Rd., one block east of Coit Road in Richardson, TX and parking and admission are free.
The artists’ works are also available for purchase as are the food and beverages.
“We are proud to not only provide a juried forum for more than 240 deserving artists to display and sell their museum-quality works this fall, but also to encourage budding artists through hands-on, educational activities,” Ayers concluded. “We hope to inspire and foster a love of art in our community, and invite families to join us.”
For more details visit cottonwoodartfestival.com.