Just one step into the festival and you’ll be immersed into a creative wonderland of artwork and diverse exhibitions. Featuring one-of-a-kind, limited edition works in paintings, sculptures, ceramics, jewelry, fiber art, fine glass, woodwork, mixed media, and photography, there’s a new adventure around every corner. From its humble beginning in 1969, this free festival has become the leading art show in North Texas. From bell bottoms and braids where artists laid out a blanket and hoped to sell a few art pieces, to five decades later, Cottonwood has become the signature art event in North Texas. Artists now converge on Cottonwood Park for a one-of-a-kind outdoor gallery with interactive activities, delicious cuisine, and live music.
Featured Artist
Texan biologist and illustrator Erin Curry has been selected as the featured artist for this year’s Fall Cottonwood Art Festival! Curry has a B.S. in Biology and was previously working at the Dallas Zoo when she began drawing at 26. Curry mixed her two favorite things–a love for the arts and a love for animals into her artwork. She states, “People always asked me to draw their dog or cat and I really liked animals, so I started putting them in my own style.” She goes on to say that once she began drawing and created, she knew that this is what she wanted to do full-time. Drawing became easy to her, and she was able to push herself to become a better artist. Curry started with black and white ink drawings, then introduced color to her work blending colors into her drawings.
Each work of art relies heavily on mythology. From Hispanic culture and Japanese gods to children’s tales and taxidermy. Curry’s artwork depicts meticulously drawn skeletons, winged creatures, organs, masks and flowers that are often in vintage frames or custom shadow boxes. Her initial use of single flat paper evolved into intricate layers of mixed media that made the subject into a story.
As the Featured Artist, Erin’s custom artwork is incorporated into the new poster and festival merchandise. Collectors will also find Curry’s new griffin piece, “The Collector” on display along with additional artwork for purchase featuring Japanese birds, foxes and winged cat pieces inspired by her own feline pet name Squitty.
Fun for the Whole Family!
The Cottonwood Arts Festival is an event for everyone with a variety of Festival food and beverage favorites, two stages of live music and even creative opportunities for kids to explore art.
On the Courtyard Main Stage, families can lounge on the lawn and enjoy live music by artists including John Christopher Davis, Chant Duplantier and Katrina Cain. The Acoustic Stage will feature music by Microchicks, Remington and Wyatt Martin! Meanwhile, kids can take their own creative journey through the ArtStop Children’s Area where they will experience various art styles at hands-on stations like Learn to Weave, Paint like Picasso, Explore Culture and more!
The Cottonwood Art Festival is fun for the whole family! Whether you’re a painting pro as good as Picasso or just love unique handmade jewelry, this is the fest for you with over 200 of the best local, national, and international artists showcasing their art in the luscious greenery of the beautiful Cottonwood Park in Richardson, TX.
For more information, including upcoming festival dates, news, and updates, please visit CottonwoodArtFestival.com.
