Best Day Ever

5 reasons Richardson’s Cottonwood Art Festival should be on your must-do list

Cottonwood Art Festival in Richardson is one of the top art events in the United States.

Photo courtesy of Cottonwood Art Festival

Whether you’re an art newbie looking to launch a collection or you’re already an avid collector, Richardson’s Cottonwood Art Festival, May 7-8, is a can’t-miss event. The two-day semiannual show (the second event is the first full weekend in October) is free to the public and showcases artists from around the world. It also happens to be held in a scenic park setting and offers a stellar lineup of live entertainment.

Here are the top five reasons you should be adding it to your must-attend list:

1. The art is curated and selected by a jury, making it top-notch (i.e., not just anyone can show up and sell handicrafts). This year, 240 artists were selected from the 720 who submitted work for consideration in 14 categories, including 3D mixed media, ceramics, jewelry, leather, painting, photography, and sculpture.

2. The location is superb. Cottonwood Park is a scenic space dotted with a quaint little lake, complete with ducks (always a win with the kiddos). In general, the festival itself isn’t overcrowded, so you can actually see the art and navigate your way around without feeling like a fish swimming upstream.

3. New as of last year is a special craft beer garden, which features 13 beers on tap from some of the most popular local breweries in the area. (Word to the wise: Do your shopping before you imbibe.)

4. It’s family-friendly (remember the ducks?), and it offers an interactive kids’ area called ArtStop, where the little ones can draw, paint, sculpt, and do pretty much anything else creative all in the name of art. Dozens of activities are available, from chiseling plaster and playing with a potter’s wheel to painting a pint-size masterpiece. It’s the perfect way to find out if you have a budding Picasso on your hands.

5. After you’ve had your fill of art, you can stop by the lakeside courtyard and catch some stellar live entertainment. Blues, jazz, country, rock, swing — you name it, and, most likely, there will be a band performing it. This year’s lineup includes the Gypsy Playboys, Texas Flood, Marc Toussaint, and Riders Ford, among others.

A Familiar Face

Dallas Theater Center names Jaime Castañeda as new artistic director

Photo courtesy of Dallas Theater Center

Jaime Castañeda is the Tony-winning theater's new artistic director.

The Tony Award-winning Dallas Theater Center has found its next artistic director: Jaime Castañeda, who has a long history with both DTC and North Texas, will become the regional theater's sixth artistic director beginning July 2026. The 2026-27 season will be the first chosen by him.

Jonathan Norton, DTC’s resident playwright, is currently serving as interim artistic director and will continue to lead the remainder of the 2025-26 season, which culminates in the world premiere of his play Malcolm X and Redd Foxx Washing Dishes at Jimmy’s Chicken Shack in Harlem in May.

“DTC is committed to artistic excellence and community engagement, and we believe Jaime’s experience, creativity, bold vision, and proven leadership, coupled with his dedication to innovation, will guide DTC into an exciting new chapter in the life of the theater," says board chair Lynn Pride Richardson in a release.

In 2012, Castañeda directed DTC’s production of The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity by Kristoffer Diaz. But he began his career more than 20 years ago in Dallas-Fort Worth by founding Firestarter Productions while still attending Texas Christian University. In addition to directing at DTC, other local theater credits include Kitchen Dog Theater, Amphibian Stage, and Circle Theatre. Castañeda is a recipient of the Princess Grace Award, the Drama League Directing Fellowship, and holds a BFA from Texas Christian University and an MFA in Directing from University of Texas at Austin.

Most recently, Castañeda directed at such leading theaters across the country as American Conservatory Theater, South Coast Repertory, Huntington Theatre Company, and La Jolla Playhouse, where he previously served as associate artistic director from 2014-2018. He was also artistic associate at Off-Broadway's Atlantic Theater Company from 2009-2014.

"Jaime brings a bold, visceral artistic vision, a deep commitment to new voices, and a collaborative leadership style that inspires artists and audiences alike,” says DTC executive director Kevin Moriarty. “With his Texas roots and national experience, I am thrilled to welcome him home as DTC’s new Enloe/Rose artistic director. I have known and admired his work since 2007, when he was already one of the most exciting emerging directors in North Texas, and I later saw him create unforgettable work for DTC on the Wyly stage and at leading theaters nationwide.”

As artistic director, Castañeda will lead the theater’s artistic vision, direct and produce plays and musicals, oversee DTC’s Diane and Hal Brierley Resident Acting Company, and partner with Moriarty, the staff, and the board of trustees to advance DTC’s mission, vision, and values.

Castañeda joins a distinguished line of artistic leadership at Dallas Theater Center, including founding artistic director Paul Baker, Adrian Hall, Ken Bryant, Richard Hamburger, and Moriarty, who served as artistic director from 2007-2022.

“We are extremely pleased with a successful national search that brings Jaime to Dallas Theater Center,” says DTC board member Chris Luna. “His energy is contagious and he understands Texas and Dallas. We look forward to collaborating with Jaime as he continues his innovative approach to regional theater.”

Castañeda was selected for the role following a national search led by Management Consultants for the Arts. The search committee was co-chaired by Luna and Richardson, and included Moriarty, Norton, Jennifer Altabef, Diane Brierley, Lauren Embrey, Sam Holland (Dean, SMU Meadows School of the Arts), Sharron Hunt, Randy Kender, Julie Kosnik, Deborah McMurray, Sam Megally, Liz Mikel (DTC Brierley Resident Acting Company member), Andy Smith, Lily Weiss (executive director, Dallas Arts District) and Donna Wilhelm.

“Growing up in Texas, Dallas Theater Center was one of the first places where I saw what professional theater and excellence looked like,” Castañeda says. “I’m thrilled to come back and build on the history of artists and leaders who have been a part of this organization. I’m eager to join Kevin, the board, and our staff to create lasting theatrical experiences for our audiences.”

Dallas Theater Center's current production of A Christmas Carol runs through December 27 at the Wyly Theatre.

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