The Houston area is home to art festivals that invite artists from around the U.S. to showcase and sell artwork in a variety of different mediums. Houston-area art festivals benefit charities in the community and, in addition to art, feature entertainment that attracts both local visitors and guests from outside the area.
The Bayou City Art Festival is a two-day art festival held in downtown Houston. It is produced by the Art Colony Association, a Texas nonprofit that donates monies raised from art festivals to Houston charities. Some 300 artists from across the U.S. are invited to participate in the festival; categories of art that are represented in the festival include clay, drawing, jewelry, glass, digital photography and sculpture. In addition to artwork, the festival features dance and music performances.
Bayou City Art Festival
1113 Vine St., Suite 138
Houston, TX 77002
713-521-0133
bayoucityartfestival.com
The Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival is ranked in the top 100 juried art and craft fairs in the U.S., according to the festival's website. The festival is held in a development community 27 miles outside of Houston and is produced by the nonprofit Woodlands Waterway Arts Council and features art displays from 200 artists, live music and food booths. A student art program awards scholarships of $500, $1,000 and $2,000 to high school juniors and seniors in areas including photography painting and mixed media. Proceeds from the festival support local charities devoted to bringing art to the community.
The Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival
P.O. Box 8184
The Woodlands, TX 77387
woodlandsartsfestival.com
The Houston International Festival is sponsored by the Houston Festival Foundation and is designed to celebrate diversity by displaying the arts, crafts and culture of different regions from around the world. In 2010, the region for the festival was the Caribbean; in 2009, the festival focused on Ireland. About 500 artists from across the U.S. are selected to display their artwork at the festival in a gallery that spans more than a city block in downtown Houston. Along with artwork, the festival features music venues, 50 food vendors, fashion shows and children's activities.
Houston International Festival
4203 Montrose Blvd., Suite 200
Houston, TX 77006
713-654-8808
ifest.org
Via Colori is a street painting festival that supports Houston's Center for Hearing and Speech, an organization for deaf children. The festival features artwork from more than 200 artists, along with music performances, food and an interactive area for children. The festival is in its fifth year in 2010 and is held at Sam Houston Park. Art supplies are provided for participating artists, and the event raises awareness about hearing impairments that affect youth as well as the services provided by the Center for Hearing and Speech.
The Center for Hearing and Speech
3636 West Dallas
Houston, TX 77019
713-523-3633
centerhearingandspeech.org
