The 2021 Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival Comes to Life April 10 & 11

THE WOODLANDS, TX - It’s a new year and the arts are alive and well in The Woodlands! It’s time to mark your calendars for one of the most exciting and colorful events of the year – The 2021 Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival. Set for the weekend of April 10 & 11, the scenic banks of The Woodlands Waterway and Town Green Park will be transformed into an outdoor art gallery featuring the work of over 150 international, national and regional juried artists. A variety of original art including painting, fiber, jewelry, photography, ceramics, glasswork and mixed media will be on display. Live music and children’s art activities will provide a fun family experience, and local food, wine, and beer will add to the atmosphere.

Festival tickets are available to purchase through the Arts Council’s website and children 12 and under are admitted free. VIP’s and guests over 60 will have a special opportunity with early festival access from 9-10 am. The festival opens to the general public from 10am-6pm.

In 2020, The Woodlands Arts Council (TWAC), producers of the festival, pivoted to a virtual format to continue to promote fine artists across the country during one of our most challenging years. Now that there is a vaccine and people are venturing out more, the Council made the decision to move forward with the in-person festival this year. All current CDC, state and county COVID safety protocols will be in place and the festival will be smaller in scale for the health and well-being of artists and patrons. Guests will be required to wear masks, sanitizing will be ongoing at all common touch points and a cashless payment system will be in place for food and beverage sales.

“Although we have scaled back a bit in order to provide adequate space for social distancing, we have not compromised on the quality or variety of the visual and performing arts we will be offering,” said Jenny Carattini-Wright, Executive Director of TWAC. “The safety and enjoyment of our artists and guests is always our top priority.”

Setting the optimistic tone for the return of the in-person festival is Featured Artist Yoram Gal from Tel Aviv, Israel. His colorful and exuberant style of painting has been popular with festival goers since 2006. An all-round artist, Yoram writes plays, paints, directs and produces shows. He has lived and worked in Old Jaffa and opened his studio there in 2015 where he ships his paintings to collectors in 40 countries.

“We are excited to once again welcome Yoram to our festival,” said Dr. Maria Holmes, President of the TWAC Board of Directors. “His art embodies the kind of uplifting and hopeful spirit that we look forward to sharing at the festival this year.”

The festival kicks off Friday, April 9 with the much-anticipated Art Dash Party at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott presented by The Woodlands Compounding Pharmacy. This popular “non-gala” event will be a hybrid experience offering both virtual and socially distant in-person options where guests can participate in a 60-second dash for art donated by festival artists.

“The Art Dash Party has an artsy vibe that makes it very laid back and unique,” Dr. Holmes said. “Everyone looks forward to the 60-second Art Dash, when guests purchase tickets to “dash” for works of art donated by festival artists. It’s a joy to see our sponsors and art patrons walk away with their treasures at the end of the evening!”

The Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival is a major fundraiser that allows TWAC to continue to impact the community through educational scholarships, outreach programs, and public art acquisitions. All festival proceeds go towards educational outreach programs. Major sponsors include The Howard Hughes Corporation, Stella Artois and The Woodlands Township.

Like all non-profits during this challenging time, donations and sponsorships are needed to continue The Arts Council’s events and community programs. To make a donation and to learn more about the 2021 Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival visit www.thewoodlandsartscouncil.org.