The 12th annual Waterway Arts Festival will take place April 7-9 in Town Green Park and along The Woodlands Waterway from The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel & Convention Center to Grogans Mill Road.

The festival features up to 225 artists from all over the U.S. Unique artists featured from across the state include:

Steve Basham

Photographer • Crosby

Steve Basham started shooting black and white photos during his senior year of high school. He set up a darkroom in his attic and developed photos in his home.

“I developed a love for black and white photography,” Basham said. “I call my work ‘The Absence of Color.’ I try to capture the nightshades and bring out the light from that darkness.”

Basham said aspiring photographers should take the time to learn from someone who is good at shooting photos they find interesting. Additionally, he said becoming a good photographer does not necessarily require expensive equipment.

“Start off with inexpensive equipment,” Basham said. “It’s not the camera that takes the picture—it’s your eye. Find your niche and keep working on it every day.”

Nancy Adams

Tin sculptor • The Woodlands

Nancy Adams first began crafting metal art when she was 15 years old. At the time—the early to mid-’70s—inaugural Earth Day celebrations were taking place, and recycling was in its infancy, Adams said.

“My art has always been my job, although it has never ever felt like work,” Adams said. “Even during six years of college, I worked as a self-employed artist. I’ve custom-painted artwork on every surface for clients across the country from rock stars to corporate heads.”

Although Adams got her start with metal art, she worked as a painter for 30 years. About seven years ago, she returned to creating sculptures out of tin cans and metal.

“My tin cans represent the throwaway society we have evolved into,” Adams said. “I create animals that are becoming endangered with metal that is considered useless junk.”

During this year’s Waterway Arts Festival, Adams said she hopes to instill environmental responsibility in young people.

Debra Steidel

Porcelain, bronze and glass sculptor • Wimberly

Debra Steidel creates clay vessels that incorporate porcelain, bronze and glass, and most of her pieces are inspired by nature, she said.

Art is Steidel’s full-time business, and she presents her sculptures at 30 or more shows each year, she said. 

“I’m looking forward to seeing my former clients [during the festival] as well as meeting new ones,” she said. “I have some new work to debut as well.”

Steidel makes custom orders for clients frequently, she said, adding that making the clay vessels can take a lot of time and energy.

“I’ll have an idea in mind and usually sketch with the porcelain—meaning I just experiment to see where it leads,” Steidel said. 

2017 Waterway Arts Festival

Town Green Park, 2099 Lake Robbins Drive, The Woodlands

www.thewoodlandsartscouncil.org/festival

Hours: April 7 (11 a.m.-6 p.m.), April 8 (10 a.m.-6 p.m.), April 9 (10 a.m.-5 p.m.)

Tickets: $15 (entire weekend), children 12 years old and under receive free admission