The Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival –

With The Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival just a few weeks away, it’s time to start thinking about all the great happenings and events that take place during the festival weekend. The 8th annual festival is set for Saturday, April 13 and Sunday, April 14 from 10 am – 6 pm along The Woodlands Waterway^® and in Town Green Park in The Woodlands Town Center.

Jenny Wright, Festival Director, has compiled a list of the “Top 10 Things to Do at The Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival”:

Meet the Artists and Buy Their Art! With 200 fine artists creating art in a wide variety of mediums, this is a great opportunity to start your art collection or add to it. You will find one-of-a-kind pieces of art and rub shoulders with the best artists in the country!
Enjoy the Performing Arts! Live music will be featured both days on the Palette Café Stage, along with a variety of performances on the Arts in Montgomery County Stage. Don’t miss 2013 Grammy Award nominee Ruthie Foster on Sunday at 3 pm performing her captivating blend of soul, blues gospel, New Orleans funk, folk, rock and R&B. Saturday’s highlights include a Feast for the Soul and Spirit; Folk, Soul and Sizzling Jazz, ending with a Cajun-Zydeco Fay-Doe-Doe. Ruthie Foster headlines a Journey Through the Blues on Sunday; some Rhythm and Blues, and Texas greats Milton Hopkins and Texas Johnny Brown.
Experience Arts & Culture of Montgomery County! A gathering of county-wide talent will be on hand at the Arts & Culture in Montgomery County Stage at the entrance to Town Green Park. You might even consider joining one of these fun, local groups.
Observe Artistic Culinary Creations! The Art of Food tent will feature demonstrations by local chefs – a foodie paradise! Longtime supporter of the arts in our community, Hubbell & Hudson, will host this event.
“All you need is LOVE!” Show your heart and help create a community art project for Montgomery County Habitat for Humanity. This fun, family activity will be led by The Woodlands Art League.
Let Your Children be Inspired! Returning this year by popular demand is the Early Inspirations Gallery, where children ages 4 – 12 can discover the magic of selecting their own piece of art for only $5 to start their first collection. The art is being generously donated by the festival’s scholarship students and Conroe ISD art teachers. All proceeds go towards art supplies for local schools in need.
CREATE ART! At ARTopoly, a popular venue at the festival where children of all ages can create and take home their own art projects led by The Woodlands Children’s Museum and other non-profit participants. Also, join us for art demonstrations coordinated by The Woodlands Art League. Inspiration and Culture for the entire family!
Eat, Drink and be Merry! Enjoy delicious food from Russo’s New York Pizzaria, Zunum, Crepe Crazy from Austin, La Lupita Mexican Cuisine & Bar and Mama J’s BBQ Bar & Grill. Desserts from Nothing Bundt Cakes, Crepe Crazy and Cold Stone Creamery. Sip Stella Artois, our favorite beer, sample Barefoot wines and indulge in Sweet Leaf Teas.
Shop for Great Gifts at The Market! Choose from a colorful selection of hats, bags and posters inspired by the colorful, whimsical works of featured artist, Rick Loudermilk. Then visit Loudermilk’s booth, #257, to get your ‘Kaleidoscope on The Waterway’ poster autographed by the artist. They’re sure to be collector’s items.
Volunteer! If you love art and The Woodlands, you’ll love volunteering at the festival. Work a shift and come back for free to do #1 – 9 on this list! You will get in for free and also get a free t-shirt to wear. To sign up, visitwww.wooodlandartsfestival.com/volunteers.2012.asp.

“We are extremely excited about our plans for the festival this year,” Wright said. “With more generous sponsors than ever before, we are able to present some of the finest art in the country in an environment that is truly outstanding. We hope that everyone will come and enjoy this spectacular weekend of art and culture in The Woodlands.

“Follow The Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival on Facebook and see the beautiful work of our artists. Take advantage of chatting with the artists before they arrive and be ready to make your purchases. You can also read the artist biographies and use the interactive map to locate their booths on our website – under visitors/artist directory.”

For more information and to purchase tickets online, visit http://www.woodlandsartsfestival.com. Tickets are $10 for adults or $15 for a weekend pass. Children 12 and under are admitted free.

For more information, contact:
Jenny Wright
Festival Director
jenny-at-woodlandsartsfestival.com