Now in its 11th year, The Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival, organized by The Woodlands Arts Council, will feature 225 artists hailing from 35 states and three countries, including Canada, Hungary and Israel.

The festival will run three days from April 8-10, and patrons can expect a few new attractions this year.

“The community is outstanding,” TWAC Festival Director Jenny Wright said. “They are just a wealth of volunteers, information, sharing and giving. It’s part of the essence of this festival, which makes it so special.”

This year, access to a new VIP area that overlooks the festival will be available, TWAC Development Director Wendy Paynter said.

“Another new feature is a craft beer bar that will be at the main entrance of Town Green Park,” Paynter said. “That will have an acoustic performer and a place for people to sip on various different craft beers.”

First Look Friday is a new event providing patrons with an opportunity to browse and purchase art early.

“That day will be geared for businesses to come down for lunch and [do some] shopping,” Paynter said. “It won’t be as crowded.”

Art Dash takes place the evening of April 8. During the event, 150 artists donate pieces and attending patrons have 60 seconds to select one to take home during a raffle.

“You buy a ticket and you get a piece, so that makes it unique and different,” Wright said.

Artopoly Because Art Matters is a family-friendly event at the festival featuring various nonprofits and charity partners. Popular food trucks will be on-site, too.

“I think that it’s so vitally important that we start young,” TWAC Community and Outreach Director Kayleen Barton said. “Art in all of its forms—whether it’s performing arts, visual art, literary art—can really spark imagination.”

Artopoly Because Art Matters will be open throughout the weekend, and student scholarship exhibit pieces will be on display.

“We’re very proud of Artopoly,” TWAC board of directors President Amy Lecocq said. “It’s a program that continues to grow as much as we can grow it.”

The Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival Featured Artist–Julia Gilmore

American-born, Toronto-based artist Julia Gilmore is this year’s The Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival featured artist.

Although she lives over 1,000 miles away from The Woodlands, she is no stranger to the festival. Gilmore has been a participating artist for the past four years.

“It’s a very artist-oriented show, but on the other hand it’s also a very collector-oriented show, and just a perfect mix,” Gilmore said.

When it comes to her paintings, Gilmore sticks to painting what she knows.

“It’s what I understand, and basically, I believe that everyday objects are infused with this incredible beauty of their own,” she said.

By finding inspiration in the simplest objects, Gilmore feels she will never run out of ideas because she paints the things she likes, and she likes a lot of things.

“If you just look hard enough, you can see it in anything, even a garbage can, and that’s how I see the world,” Gilmore said. “It’s almost a distraction sometimes.”

To get a preview of Gilmore’s work before the festival, visit www.juliagilmore.com.