Houston's Bayou City Art Festival is a walk in the park

The Dallas Morning News (MCT) - Twice each year, greenbelts become galleries for Houston's Bayou City Art Festival.

The juried event, considered one of the nation's top art festivals, gathers 300 artists and craftspeople in spring and in fall for sprees for shoppers and collectors who value handmade and unusual creations. Although exhibitors are from throughout the nation, dozens are from Texas.

The upcoming festival March 27-29 will be in Memorial Park, two miles from the landmark Galleria. For two days in fall, the outdoor event occupies the lawn and streets downtown near the reflection pool at City Hall.

Many styles of paintings, pottery, photographs, drawings, sculpture, glass works, jewelry, one-of-a-kind clothing, carvings, metalwork, furniture and more are available in the event produced by the Art Colony Association, a group that for 37 years has been organizing art sales in Houston.

Festival profits are passed on to local nonprofit organizations such as Art League Houston, Downtown YMCA, Spay-Neuter Assistance Program and the Orange Show Center for Visionary Art. In 2008, more than $200,000 was earned for the community.

In this month's festival, artists will occupy tents on a 1.1-mile loop in Memorial Park. First Look Friday will offer an early opportunity to buy art without the weekend crowds.

The family-friendly event will include a free interactive Creative Zone for children and parents where youngsters can make wax hands, mini art cars, painted rocks, decorated hats, spangle jewelry, mosaic frames, sun photos and more.

Music and dance groups will perform hourly, produced by the Houston Arts Alliance.

Food and beverages will be available. A new feature, the Epicurean Adventure, will include wine tastings and chef demonstrations.

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IF YOU GO:

HOURS, TICKETS: The festival will be 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. March 27-29. Tickets are $10 for adults; free, 12 and younger.

GETTING THERE: Memorial Park has no public parking. A free shuttle will run from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. between the festival and Northwest Mall on U.S. Highway 290, off Interstate 610. Stops from downtown will be added Saturday and Sunday.

RESOURCE: 713-521-0133; www.bayoucityartfestival.com

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© 2009, The Dallas Morning News.