ARToberFEST
ARToberFEST is Galveston’s premier juried fine arts festival. This weekend, it was the biggest attraction on the island. Literally, thousands of full- and part-time residents, as well as visitors from Houston and. beyond, made their way downtown to check out the art and associated festivities. All, like me, wanted to meet the featured artists and see their incredible works of art
Held on Postoffice Street, in the heart of the Galveston Cultural Arts District, the event featured art, food and fun in a beautiful historic setting. Additionally, live music performances and a variety of products from the island’s local Farmers Market were located throughout the festival site.
ARToberFEST, now in its 22nd year, is sponsored annually by the Grand 1894 Opera House.
My visit to ARToberFEST this afternoon was somewhat like a maiden voyage. I knew the destination, but I wasn’t quite sure how well the journey would go. Would the event live up to my expectations? I was eager to find out!
As it turned out, I was somewhat surprised by the variety of media and the quality of the art I found. There were painters specializing in acrylic, oil and watercolor, jewelry designers, metal artists, photographers, printmakers, sculptors and wood carvers. And, all were creators of fine works of art. I was truly delighted!
There were more than 120 artists participating in the festival this afternoon, each showcased their creations inside sun-protected white tents., It was fun going in and out of those tents, meeting and chatting with some of the artists and spending extra time with the art I was drawn to.
I was especially happy to go into the tent of artist Robin Renee Hix of Wimberley, Texas.
Robin’s signature style combines two of her loves: photography and painting. Her works are well known for stunning color and dynamic mood. These works offer up a modern twist to the nearly lost art of the hand-colored photograph, a skill which flourished long before color film was invented.
Robin is the artist who created some of the framed art hanging on the walls of The Bungalow. I love the pieces, and II had hoped to meet Robin (someday), so running into her here was a nice surprise! As it turned out, she was very familiar with The Bungalow; she had actually been inside the house several years ago. Coincidentally, she is a good friend of one of the previous owners!
(While I was there, she took a photo of the two of us to send to him!)
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2022
- Mar 17, 2022 Ivy Dishes
- Jan 29, 2022 Grace Episcopal Church
- Jan 1, 2022 100 Years
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2021
- Aug 25, 2021 My Fig Tree
- Apr 28, 2021 Darlene's Shrimp
- Apr 24, 2021 Oleander Festival
- Feb 27, 2021 Great Winter Storm
- Feb 10, 2021 The Mourning Wave
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2020
- Oct 26, 2020 Crepe Myrtles
- Sep 18, 2020 Trimming the Palms
- Jul 19, 2020 The Dancers
- Jul 11, 2020 Postcards
- Jun 20, 2020 Resilience Flag
- Jun 19, 2020 Juneteenth
- Jun 10, 2020 Silk Stocking
- May 27, 2020 Tree Sculptures
- May 6, 2020 Babe's Beach
- Apr 22, 2020 Opera House
- Mar 2, 2020 Texas Heroes Monument
- Feb 15, 2020 Mardi Gras Parade
- Jan 19, 2020 St. Joseph's Church
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2019
- Dec 15, 2019 Celebrations
- Nov 6, 2019 Fresh Paint
- Oct 21, 2019 Jazz Age Series
- Oct 20, 2019 ARToberFEST
- Oct 6, 2019 Stingeree
- Oct 5, 2019 Pumpkin Time
- Oct 2, 2019 Sea Turtles
- Sep 29, 2019 Powhatan House
- Sep 24, 2019 The Dolphins
- Sep 5, 2019 Lucas Apartments
- Aug 24, 2019 Sandcastles
- Aug 9, 2019 The Daily News
- Jul 18, 2019 Beach Walk
- Jul 10, 2019 La King's
- May 25, 2019 Pleasure Pier
- May 1, 2019 Bolivar Ferry
- Mar 15, 2019 Saengerfest Park
- Jan 19, 2019 Moody Mansion
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2018
- Dec 18, 2018 The Vintage Suitcase
- Dec 17, 2018 Festival of Lights
- Dec 2, 2018 Sunday Brunch
- Nov 21, 2018 Hendley Row
- Oct 27, 2018 Island Oktoberfest
- Sep 20, 2018 The Strand Clock
- Sep 16, 2018 St. Mary Cathedral
- Aug 11, 2018 No More Shed
- Jun 10, 2018 Rosenberg Library
- May 7, 2018 Stepping It Up
- May 3, 2018 A Happy Hour
- May 1, 2018 Ashton Villa
- Apr 21, 2018 96th Birthday
- Apr 1, 2018 Seawolf Park
- Mar 27, 2018 Ball High School
- Mar 15, 2018 East End
- Feb 1, 2018 Tremont House
- Jan 26, 2018 Menardi Gras
- Jan 24, 2018 Mardi Gras Decor
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2017
- Dec 1, 2017 Miss Ruby
- Oct 8, 2017 Railroad Museum
- Oct 7, 2017 Tall Ship Elissa
- Sep 9, 2017 Star Drug Store
- Sep 8, 2017 1900 Storm Statue
- Aug 6, 2017 The Turquoise Table
- Aug 1, 2017 Bishop's Palace
- Jul 23, 2017 Garten-Verein
- Jul 21, 2017 Yard Work
- Jul 16, 2017 The Strand
- Jun 17, 2017 Stewart Beach
- Jun 7, 2017 The Original
- Jun 3, 2017 Murdochs
- May 27, 2017 Bryan Museum
- May 19, 2017 Firemen on Call
- May 13, 2017 Williams-Borden Neighborhood
- May 1, 2017 Oleander City
- Apr 28, 2017 God Winks