Art City Austin

Fine Arts Festival

Each April, Art City Austin: Fine Arts Festival is presented by the nonprofit organization Art Alliance Austin, whose mission is to promote visual art and grow the art marketplace in Austin.  Art Alliance works closely with the City of Austin, and other local and regional partners to make this event special.

Art City Austin is Austin’s oldest and most iconic outdoor arts festival – taking professional art out of the galleries and into the spring sunshine for over six decades. Art City Austin returns in 2018 for its 68th year April 13th – April 15th, transforming the Palmer Events Center pavilion into an al fresco art block party. Over the course of the weekend, Austinites can hang out and connect with over 100 local and visiting artists from around the world, while also viewing in large-scale installations, art activations and fine art performances throughout the weekend. Additional programming includes a Friday night preview party with music, performances, complimentary food & drinks, a reception welcoming Art Alliance Austin’s new Executive Director, Patricia Shults, participation in the People’s Choice Awards and much more. A selection of local food trucks, drinks, and fun activities for the whole family will be on the festival grounds on Saturday and Sunday.

Hosted and curated by Art Alliance Austin, Art City Austin is an authentic, family friendly Austin tradition that has celebrated our community through the arts since 1950 and has held a cherished spot in the memories of generations of Austinites. This year’s Art City Austin: Fine Arts Festival continues that legacy, offering Austinites – from lifelong collectors to art hobbyists to curious kids – the opportunity to experience and enjoy a curated selection of professional art in an environment that merges block-party with art show, against the backdrop of the Austin skyline.

This year’s lineup features over 120 dynamic artists in a variety of genres – including painting, sculpture, jewelry, fibers, metalwork and more – who will have their work on display and for purchase throughout the walkable festival grounds along the banks of Lady Bird Lake. A sampling of the artist lineup includes dozens of Austin-based artists like international photographer Greg Davis and roadside landscape artist Rachel Dory, as well as international artists like Israeli painter Yoram Gal. Art Alliance Austin has also commissioned Austin sculptor Carrin Welch to present pieces from her monumental “Four Rocking Horses of the Apocalypse” for the event, which will tower above the festival’s entrance as welcoming guardians for all the fun and creativity of Art City Austin. The weekend will also feature diverse arts programming that will embody the grassroots, inclusive values of the festival from community partners like Art From The Streets. Like years past, Art City Austin 2018 will host a children’s section with hands-on, interactive activities meant to encourage creativity and appreciation of the arts for Austinites of all ages!

For tickets and more information about Art City Austin, visit artallianceaustin.org/artcity.