Art is in the air and especially in our community!
The Woodlands encompasses its own natural artwork through its forested eloquence of trees intertwined with 80 pieces of outdoor art, with sculptures crafted and curated by The Woodlands Development Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Howard Hughes Corporation. The Woodlands boasts one of the largest collections of outdoor public art in the country in relation to communities its size.
“Howard Hughes believes in assimilating art into The Woodlands, enhancing the natural ambiance of our community. We continue to add new pieces of art in The Woodlands for residents and visitors to admire,” stated Jim Carman, President – Houston Region, Howard Hughes. “The Woodlands Arts Council is also an advocate through its Art Bench Project and the highly-acclaimed The Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival.”
Hosted by The Woodlands Arts Council, The Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival is set for Saturday and Sunday, April 10 -11, from 10 am – 6 pm. Guests who are 60+ will have special early festival access from 9 am – 10 am. The fun, family experience will take place in Town Green Park and along the scenic banks of the award-winning The Woodlands Waterway. The Arts Festival will follow CDC, state and county COVID safety protocols.
Photo by John Hallett
“We invite our community to reconnect this spring by celebrating the arts at the in-person The Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival. After a long period of isolation, we are anxious to reignite the passion for the arts that is such an important part of The Woodlands’ history and future,” said Jenny Carattini-Wright, Executive Director of The Woodlands Arts Council. “Art is not only a joy for the artist and collector, it’s an opportunity to experience something different, moving, intangible and personal. It feeds our minds and our souls.”
The Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival showcases an array of art pieces from over 200 juried international, national and regional artists and craftsmen in an outdoor setting. A variety of original art ranging from paintings, ceramics, mixed media, photography, wood work, sculpture, fiber and more will be available for purchase.
“YAY!” by International award-winning artist, Yoram Gal
The Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival will celebrate its 16th year . Did you know that an initial festival in The Woodlands celebrated the arts under a different name? Created in 2004, the original event was called Art Fest and was held at The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in The Woodlands. The founding directors included the late David Gottleib, an individual advocate of the arts; Jerry MacDonald President of The Pavilion; Alex Sutton, former Co-President of The Woodlands Development Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Howard Hughes; and Nick Wolda, President of Visit The Woodlands and Director of Community Relations with The Woodlands Township.
The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, Howard Hughes and The Woodlands Township still volunteer on The Woodlands Arts Council Board of Directors. Brenda Gottlieb, long-time volunteer and wife of the late David Gottleib, has also been involved in The Woodlands Arts Council, currently serving on the Advisory Board.
“Howard Hughes is proud to be a sponsor of The Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival and honored to have held a board position, both since the inception of the festival,” said Kim Phillips, Vice President of Marketing for Howard Hughes and Director for The Woodlands Arts Council Board. “Supporting public art in The Woodlands for residents and guests to enjoy is part of our legacy at Howard Hughes.”
Photo by John Hallett
An Art Dash Party, presented by The Woodlands Compounding Pharmacy, will be held on Friday, April 9 at The Woodlands Waterway Marriot Hotel & Convention Center, prior to the festival. To learn more or to purchase tickets for The Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival and/or the Art Dash Party, visit www.TheWoodlandsArtsCouncil.org.