After holding its first festival in two years during the spring, the city of Richardson announced Michelle McDowell Smith as the featured artist for the fall 2022 Cottonwood Art Festival.

According to a city press release, Smith’s work is known for combining collage and acrylic paint. Her work celebrates themes of family, trust, love and “the unique individuality found within ourselves and in others.”

Smith’s collection includes old maps, book pages, sewing patterns, linoleum stamps and vintage materials, according to city officials.

“I purposefully don’t create a family of foxes or a family just of deer,” Smith said in a statement on the festival’s website. “It needs to be more expansive to be more inclusive. The people we meet along our way through life become our family too; and give our time here more meaning.”

Smith’s mixed-media artwork has been shown at more than 80 juried art shows and festivals across the country, according to the release. More information on Smith can be found on the artist’s website.


Smith’s designs will be incorporated into the festival poster, merchandise and marketing graphics. They will also be featured in a centrally located booth at the festival, according to the release.

The upcoming Cottonwood Art Festival is scheduled to be held Oct. 1-2 in Cottonwood Park.

The festival, which is operated by the city of Richardson, is a juried art show that features work from more than 200 of the nation’s top visual artists and takes place on the first full weekend in May and October each year. Held since 1969, the festival also includes live musical performances, numerous dining options and a creative children’s area. Attendance is free all weekend.