The annual festival and community fundraiser highlights work from more than 150 artists, including emerging and youth artists. Artists’ work will be available to view and buy, along with live entertainment, food and drinks.
The festival runs from 4-10:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 24; 10 a.m.-10:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 25; and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 26.
All proceeds from the festival help fund programs serving women, children and families in Northeast Tarrant County. Since 2000, Art in the Square has raised more than $3 million.
Each artist in the festival is typically selected by jury. This year, confirmed and waitlisted artists from the event's 2020 applications have been rolled over to this weekend's festival because of the 2020 event’s rescheduling due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We had to cancel twice—once in 2020 and [we postponed] in April of 2021,” said Sherri Whitt, Art in the Square publicity chair. “We missed not doing it. We’re going to be able to have 22 charities get the proceeds of the event and that is really what we want to do—help the community—and you can’t do it unless you’re holding the event. So we’re very excited to have it back this year.”
Over 700 applications are submitted annually from nearly every state in the United States. Applications also arrive from Asia, Europe and Mexico for approximately 160 available display spots.
Whitt said the event will be a little different this time around given the circumstances.
“It’s our traditional Art in the Square that we normally have, it’s just a matter of having less artists and less vendors displaying at the event,” Whitt said. “We don’t know how the crowds will be, but we’re there for everyone to come out and have some fun.”
Live entertainment will run continuously on two stages. The Gazebo Stage will feature local programming and family entertainment while the Main Stage presents the festival’s primary musical attractions with headliner George Navarro.
Hands-on activities, such as face painting, decorating wearable wings, making stained glass and coloring hairspray hairdos, will be available for children, along with bounce houses.
Although there is no charge for admission, tickets are required for food, drinks and children’s activities, and they are available for purchase at ticket booths throughout the festival. Parking is available and free of charge within Southlake Town Square structures. For more information, visit www.artinthesquare.com.
