Houston is rolling out the welcome mat for art lovers this weekend! The Bayou City Art Festival transforms Memorial Park into a giant open-air gallery from Friday, October 9 through Sunday, October 11, with the gates open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day.
More than 250 artists from across the country line the festival walkways along the South Picnic Loop, showcasing original work in 19 disciplines — painting, photography, sculpture, jewelry, ceramics, textiles and more. Visitors can meet the creators up close, learn what goes into each handmade piece, and bring home something truly one of a kind.
This year’s featured artist is Aubrey Hogan, an acrylic painter from Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Inspired by the French Impressionist tradition, Hogan works in thick, richly layered brushstrokes that celebrate nature, memory and the quiet beauty of everyday life.
The weekend goes far beyond art: live performances at the Stella Artois Stage, MECA’s Baile Folklorico de Mexico, stilt walkers, a hula hoop show, a craft beer garden, putt putt golf and an array of local food trucks. Little ones get their own world of fun at the Active Imagination Zone with interactive crafts.
Produced by the nonprofit Art Colony Association, the festival has given back to Houston for more than 50 years, raising over $4 million for local nonprofits. This year’s proceeds benefit ArtReach, Fresh Arts, The Health Museum, the Houston International Film Festival and the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.
Tickets are $20 for adults, $5 for children ages 6 to 12, and free for kids under 5 — sunshine, art and family fun for every budget. Don’t miss it!
Photo: Bayou City Art Festival
