Get Your Art On
Beloved art festival returns to Richardson with fall vibes
Bring the whole fam to this two-day event.
A true harbinger of fall is the Cottonwood Art Festival, held October 7-8 this year at Cottonwood Park in Richardson.
From its humble beginning in 1969, this free festival has become the leading art show in North Texas. Where artists wearing bell-bottoms and braids once laid out a blanket and hoped to sell a few art pieces, five decades later Cottonwood has become the signature art event in North Texas.
But it's not just art — this one-of-a-kind outdoor gallery also features interactive activities, delicious cuisine, and live music.
Here is your guide to getting the most out of Cottonwood Art Festival:
Admire the art
Cottonwood is a juried art show in which nearly more than 1,000 talented visual artists compete to be one of the approximately 200 artists chosen to display their work before festival attendees. These include paintings, sculptures, ceramics, jewelry, fiber art, fine glass, woodwork, mixed media, and photography.
See some science
This year's featured artist, Erin Curry, is a self-taught artist and biologist who relies heavily on mythology, Hispanic culture, Japanese gods, children’s tales, and taxidermy in her art. She often depicts meticulously drawn skeletons, winged creatures, organs, masks, and flowers that are often crafted within vintage frames and custom shadow boxes.
Groove to the music
Art of another kind will be taking over the Imagery Courtyard Main Stage, where some of North Texas’ top musicians will perform. The live-music soundtrack includes the John Christopher Davis, Chant Duplantier, Suzy and the Sissies, Katrina Cain, Matt Tedder Band, and The Elton Johns. A second Acoustic Stage will feature music by Microchicks, Jameson Loyd, Haven Thomas, and more.
Eat and drink a lot
Enjoy a tasty beverage in the Lakeside Courtyard, which features an epic lineup of wine and craft beer from local breweries. Margaritas, prosecco, and frosé round out the available beverages. To go with those sips, choose from any number of fun foods like Tex-Mex faves, churros, kettle corn, Southern staples, gyros and kebabs, caramel apples, and more.
Indulge in child's play
The kiddos can learn to weave, paint like Picasso, play with clay, craft beaded corn on the cob, and even make a silly scarecrow headband.
Get the details
Admission to Cottonwood Art Festival is free, and the event is held, rain or shine, in Cottonwood Park. Parking is available across the street at the Richardson High School football stadium, and there's a (free!) shuttle between the lot and the festival grounds. Well-behaved pets are allowed on leashes.
Mark your calendar for October 7-8 at Cottonwood Park, and head over to the Cottonwood Art Festival website for more info.
Rachel Simone Webb hosted the awards ceremony.Photo by Thomas Garza
Towdah Kiima of Rockwall-Heath High School accepts the award for Outstanding Lead Performer.Photo by Thomas Garza