LIVE ART AND AMY BURKMAN RETURN TO COTTONWOOD

Cottonwood Art Festival is excited to welcome back Live Art with professional muralist and multi-media artist Amy Burkman.  Live Art is an extremely versatile show in which Amy transforms a large canvas into a beautiful painting in less than ten minutes. 

The music, energy and art create a dynamic performance that will leave you inspired!  Live Art is much more than fast painting, it's a special display of an exciting artistic performance! 

LOCAL TUNES TAKE THE COTTONWOOD STAGES

We have art, tasty drinks, cold beverages, and a fantastic Artstop for the kiddos, but did you also know that Cottonwood is also the home to many rocking performers found in the Dallas - Ft. Worth area and all over Texas? The festival features a variety of genres including rock, country, jazz, blues, and swing. Stop by the Lakeside Courtyard on Saturday morning as we kick off the festival with the acoustic duo Gunplugged at 10:45 a.m. The rock classics, played by members Jerry Don Branch and Steve Locke are a smooth Saturday sound everyone can enjoy!

CHRIS VANCE NAMED FEATURED ARTIST

Chris Vance - Featured Artist for Cottonwood Art Festival May 6-7, 2017 A world of bright, abstract characters For many artists, small details can inspire big ideas. For Chris Vance, an Iowa-based abstract expressionist, big ideas take form as larger-than-life monsters, crazy characters and lively vistas. Named featured artist of the City of Richardson's Cottonwood Art Festival, Vance's vivid work will be on display May 6-7, 2017 in scenic Cottonwood Park. A newcomer to North Texas' semi-annual prestigious art event, Vance is inspired by skateboard graphics, graffiti and children's art. His paintings celebrate the fundamentals of abstract expressionism: composition, balance, line and color. "It's a huge honor to have my work highlighted at Cottonwood this year," said Chris Vance. "I'm excited to show festival-goers how my art has evolved and all of the tiny details that people don't initially notice." As a graduate of Iowa State, Vance is influenced by other abstract expressionists, including Richard Diebenkorn. An avid skateboarder, Vance has turned his passion into fine art and now creates completely unique characters and quirky monsters. "I'm always surprised at how people respond to the characters I create," said Vance. "I can't wait to introduce them to the festival. When you see the artwork in person, it has a sticker quality." Vance's work will join hundreds of other museum-quality exhibits from around the country during the two-day juried art show. The festival will also include live musical performances, delectable dining options and a creative children's area. Visit chrisvanceart.com for additional information.

JEAN ADAS VISITS MOSS HAVEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Jean Adas at Moss Haven Elementary School , Cottonwood Art Festival Visiting Artist Program

Watercolor artist Jean Adas presented to 5th and 6th grade students at Moss Haven Elementary School on Thursday, April 20, 2017 as part of Cottonwood's Visiting Artist Program. The visit was coordinated with Toni Crook who teaches art to all the students K-6 at this RISD school.

COTTONWOOD'S EMERGING ARTISTS & AWARDS

Cottonwood's Emerging Artists

Congratulations to the 10 students selected by a jury as Cottonwood's 2017 Emerging Artists sponsored by Neighborhood Credit Union.  The annual program exhibition, featuring works by these students, is open to the public April 1-30, 2017 in the Forrest & Virginia Green Mezzanine Gallery inside the Charles W. Eisemann Center for Performing Arts.  

Artists have the opportunity to sell their work at the semi-annual Cottonwood Art Festival being held Saturday, May 6 from 10:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, May 7 from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. in Richardson, TX.

The Emerging Artists are as follows:

Melanie Baume - JJ Pearce High School
Sofia Conde - Richardson High School
Mary Grace Hearon - JJ Pearce High School
Anna Maupin - Richardson High School

Ivy Njoroge - Richardson High School
Amy Pham - JJ Pearce High School
Molly Queal - JJ Pearce High School
Roberto Ramos - JJ Pearce High School
Ashley Ubben - Richardson High School
Nicole Webster - JJ Pearce High School



Wednesday, April 12, 2017 a reception was held in honor of Cottonwood's Emerging Artists with a presentation of scholarship money from Neighborhood Credit Union and these additional awards:

People's Choice Award - from JJ Pearce High School, Mary Grace Hearon
Honorable Mention - From JJ Pearce High School, Melanie Baume

Honorable Mention - From Richardson High School, Anna Maupin
3rd Place - from JJ Pearce High School, Roberto Ramos
2nd Place - from JJ Pearce High School, Mary Grace Hearon
Best of Show - from Richardson High School, Sofia Conde

More information about Cottonwood's Emerging Artist Program is available:  http://www.cottonwoodartfestival.com/13.html and photos of the reception are posted on Facebook in this album: 2017 Emerging Artist Reception & Awards.