Art lovers from far and wide convene on the Fiesta Arts Fair, now in its 48th year, on the picturesque and historic grounds of the University of Texas at San Antonio-Southwest Campus (formerly Southwest School of Art) and located along San Antonio’s renown River Walk. The festive two-day event offers knowledgeable and appreciative art lovers an intimate opportunity to interact with artists and purchase high quality contemporary and traditional art and craft. Juror selected cash awards and artists’ amenities including volunteer booth sitters, air-conditioned artist hospitality suite and restrooms, and Saturday breakfast tacos and artist’s happy hour.
From its humble beginnings in 1969, the Cottonwood Art Festival has developed into one of the most prestigious fine art festivals in the United States. Local artists staged their first festival at the scenic Cottonwood Park in Richardson, Texas. It was all tie-dye, bell-bottoms and braids back then where the artists laid down blankets and set up easels with the hopes of selling a few pieces of art. Since that first weekend nearly five decades later, Cottonwood has established itself as signature art event, become a tradition in the community and the home to the finest artists in the country for the first weekend of May and October.
AWARD WINNING FESTIVAL
The Cottonwood Art Festival has been recognized by the International Festival & Events Association and Texas Festival & Events Association as an award-winning event in several categories over the years.
EXHIBITING ARTISTS
Cottonwood features over 200 artists chosen to exhibit their museum-quality work from approximately 1,400 submissions.
Each year, the Paseo Arts Festival draws more than 60,000 people who come to enjoy the sights, sounds and tastes of this event. As the Paseo Arts Association’s largest annual fundraiser, the Festival helps support art programs and events in the Paseo year-round.
Visitors will enjoy almost 100 nationally acclaimed visual artists, who fill the Historic Paseo Arts District with original artwork: everything from painting, ceramics and photography to woodworking, glass, sculpture and jewelry.
Voted Best Free Entertainment in Oklahoma Gazette’s 2020 Best of OKC, The festival is also famous for its more than 50 musicians and live performers on two stages who donate their time and talents to support the Paseo. The food court is sure to please and will feature 20 food and drink vendors with traditional and not-so-traditional Festival treats, both savory and sweet.
** The Market Festival at the south end of the Paseo Arts District is not organized by the Paseo Arts Association and is independent of this event.