Twice a year, in the spring and fall, Houston residents and tourists may explore modern art in all its forms during the Bayou City Art Festival. Visitors have the opportunity to get acquainted with aspiring and creative local artists. During the celebration, you can also meet famous musicians, dancers, artists, and sculptors, as well as participate in master classes, witness literary and poetic readings and live performances. At festival kiosks, you may purchase original artwork. Additionally, like many other festivals, the event attracts distinctive food vendors. Find out more at houstonski.
History
The festival is organized by the non-profit Art Colony Association, which was founded in 1971 in Houston as the Westheimer Colony Association. Back then, the enterprises of the Lower Westheimer district organized a gathering of representatives of arts and crafts. Subsequently, this gathering evolved into the Westheimer Colony Art Festival. The event featured an art display with works by local and national artists. Earnings were donated to Houston charities, community organizations, and art organizations.
Soon after, a street fair unfolded around the festival grounds, which grew into its own festival, the Westheimer Street Festival. It took place twice a year from 1971 to 2004. In 2009, this event merged with the two-day music festival Free Press Summer Fest.
In 1993, the Westheimer Colony Art Festival moved from its venue on Westheimer Road to the city center on Main Street and Calhoun. In 1997, the festival was renamed the Bayou City Art Festival. At the same time, the Westheimer Colony Association changed its name to the Art Colony Association.
Cultural program
The event takes place in Memorial Park in the spring and in the city center in the autumn. Every year, the event attracts thousands of people and artists from many American states to celebrate creativity. More than 300 stands are filled with handmade works ranging from paintings to photography and sculptures, both for sale and for display. Patrons can meet artists, view original works, and buy one-of-a-kind paintings, engravings, jewelry, sculptures, and more.
The event features more than just creativity, it also has beer and wine gardens, an entertainment stage, and a children’s area. The Bayou City Art Festival promises a diverse assortment of food trucks to satiate your appetite. Guests here enjoy the views of Houston while sipping wine and craft beer and wandering between art stands. Additionally, for true culture lovers, the Bayou City Art Festival offers a limited number of VIP tickets that include entrance to an exclusive tent with light appetizers, free beer, wine, and other beverages.
There is no on-site parking at the Memorial Park during the event. However, ticket holders can get a free parking space in nearby buildings. In addition, you can purchase a round-trip transfer pass to get to the festival venue directly from your car.
A portion of the proceeds from ticket sales are donated to the festival’s non-profit partners, which include ArtReach, Fresh Arts, NAMI Greater Houston, Second Servings, the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, and the Women’s Fund for Health Education and Resiliency.
The Bayou City Art Festival, as one of the most important art events in the United States, offers a unique opportunity to meet masters of their craft, view original works, and acquire one-of-a-kind paintings, engravings, jewelry, sculptures, and so on. This is an event you must not miss!