In the colorful fabric that makes up North Texas’ arts scene, Huffhines Art Trails is the handmade, hand-dyed thread, quietly keeping America’s rich heritage of crafting alive in Richardson since 1976.
The two-day festival, which runs October 22-23 at Huffhines Park, features approximately 135 fine-arts crafters from across the country. These artists offer everything from turned walnut bowls with inlaid turquoise to shawls and sweaters hand-woven from handmade fibers, and even earrings made from hand-blown glass beads.
The Art Trails has been a staple for 40 years now, with each new generation of attendees bringing with them a renewed appreciation for this kind of exquisite, handmade work.
This year's featured artist, Jessica Battes-Grabowski, exemplifies that. The award-winning ceramicist has been featured in local and national venues, her vessels gaining acclaim for their tactile forms and variegated colors. She now teaches at Mountain View College and the southeast campus of Tarrant County College.
But shopping's not all you'll find that weekend. In honor of the festival's 40th anniversary, there will be blacksmith, basket-weaving, pottery, and felting demonstrations, along with wood-working and Dutch oven cooking. Talk about your photo opportunities.
Kids can be kept occupied with an adventurous scavenger hunt, and live musical performances make it a fall festival for the whole family.
There are new food vendors too, including TC Roasted Corn, Kona Ice, and Wild West Soda Saloon. The latter features homemade, handcrafted, soda fountain-type drinks with flavors such as sarsaparilla, orange cream, black cherry, cherry limeade, and root beer.
And here's the best part: Admission is free for Huffhines Art Trails. So swing by between 10 am and 6 pm both days to enjoy a beloved piece of Richardson history and discover your inner crafter.
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For more information about Huffhines Art Trails, visit www.huffhinesarttrails.com or call 972-744-4580.
