Every year, Houstonians look forward to the Bayou City Spring Art Festival (Festival), presented by The Art Colony Association, Inc., at Memorial Park. It promises not only beautiful art, but also good food, live entertainment, and a chance to mingle with artists, family, and friends. This year, the only difference is that instead of being held at Memorial Park, the Festival will be located in exciting Downtown Houston.

 

On Saturday and Sunday, March 23 and 24, 2024, the country’s premier outdoor art festival will welcome over 250 artists, representing 19 different disciplines, from across the country. At the same time, it will support local organizations and promote the impact art, in all its forms, has on the Houston community. As well as being given the opportunity to meet various artists, participants will be able to view original works of art and purchase unique paintings, prints, jewelry, sculptures, functional art, and more.

This year’s featured artist will be Karina Llergo, a mixed-media artist from Chicago. By transforming figures into fluid entities, incorporating dance, air, and water to capture an otherworldly likeness, Llergo attempts to depict the energy of the human body and its soulful essence in her artwork.

 

Of the way she works and the effect she strives for, Llergo says: “My process involves oil glazing for color, acrylic impasto for depth, and 24K gold gilding for luminosity. Through the interplay of color, texture, and symbolism, my art becomes a conduit for the magic of existence. I aim to evoke not only visual appreciation, but also a profound connection to life's vitality. Upon closer inspection, I hope viewers are inspired to generate positive forces in their own lives. My art is a concise yet rich exploration of the magic within motion and the transformative power of existence.”

 

Born in Mexico City, Llergo’s heritage is a mixture of Mexican, Armenian, and Spanish cultures, all of which are represented in her art. In 2007, after enjoying a successful corporate career, she chose to build on her art education and experience and transition to a full-time career in art. Many would say she made the right decision as her work has garnered widespread acclaim and earned her a devoted following throughout North America. Accolades, such as Outstanding Achievement and Best of Show, have been showered on her work at esteemed art shows and exhibitions across the United States.

 

Not only will Festival attendees get to experience art in multiple forms and interact with the people who make it, during the Festival, they will also enjoy performances on two separate stages and an Active Imagination Zone. A food truck park, craft beer and wine garden, and VIP Hospitality Lounge will round out the amenities on offer.

 

As a special treat, there will be an exhibition of local student artwork featuring the top 30 finalists from the Middle School Art Competition.

 

Online early bird tickets will soon be available at www.bayoucityartfestival.com. They are $18 for adults and $5 for children ages six to twelve. Children under five are free. Adult tickets purchased after March 15, 2024, are $20. VIP Hospitality Lounge tickets are $75 and include admission to the festival.  Online pre-purchased tickets are required to enter the festival. Physical tickets will not be sold at the gate and can only be purchased online.

 

About Bayou City Art Festival

Since the founding of the Westheimer Art Festival, now known as Bayou City Art Festival, the Art Colony Association, Inc. has raised over $3.6 million for local nonprofit programs from the proceeds of its festivals. Bayou City Art Festival Memorial Park in the spring and Bayou City Art Festival Downtown in the fall have provided a venue for more than 20,000 artists to showcase their work to thousands of art lovers from all over the world. The festivals are funded in part by grants from the City of Houston through the Houston Arts Alliance, corporate sponsorships, private contributions, in-kind support, and volunteer assistance.

 

Volunteer and sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information, please visit www.artcolonyassociation.org.