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Michelle McDowell Smith is a Jacksonville, FL native, now living in Roanoke, VA. She strives to create pieces that have a familiar narrative yet still convey a fresh look and allow for the unexpected. She uses acrylic paint, mixed media materials such as paper, handmade linoleum stamps, sewing patterns, maps, old letters, pages from books, and more.
Smith graduated summa cum laude from the Savannah College of Art and Design with a major in illustration and minor in art history.
Located in Sam Houston Park and along Allen Parkway, Bayou City Art Festival Downtown provides unique art experiences and education for the greater Houston area, while supporting local organizations and promoting the impact that art has on the Houston community. As one of the top art festivals in the country, the outdoor gallery provides patrons with the opportunity to meet artists, view original works, and purchase one-of-a-kind art, world-class paintings, prints, jewelry, sculptures, functional art and more.
The festival features two entertainment stages, a food truck park, beverage stations throughout the festival, and art installations. Guests will enjoy Houston’s skyline views while visiting the festival’s wine garden, craft beer garden, and Art Bar. In the Active Imagination Zone, the festival’s nonprofit partners will host hands-on art activities for all ages.
In addition, the Bayou City Art Festival is showcasing the Collegiate Art Collective, a collection of art composed of six Houston-area college art students. Collegiate Art Collective artists will represent their school’s art program, meet with potential art collectors and buyers, and participate in one of the top juried art festivals in the country.
For the ultimate art lover, Bayou City Art Festival will offer a limited availability VIP ticket experience, which will include a tented oasis with light bites, and complimentary beer, wine, and other beverages. The relaxing setting under a canopy of trees will feature roaming musicians, artistic décor, a phone charging station, and more. VIPs will receive all-day access to the VIP area, along with VIP parking.
A portion of the proceeds from Bayou City Art Festival Downtown will benefit the festival’s nonprofit partners. Online early bird tickets will be available August 15, 2023 at www.bayoucityartfestival.com. 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.
For the most recent updates, follow the official event hashtags #HouArtFest and #BCAF, like the Facebook page or follow on Instagram. Also, subscribe to our newsletter here.
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 more than $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 has 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.
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