CherryArts is thrilled to announce the featured artist for the 2026 Cherry Creek Arts Festival, and to reveal this year's festival poster!

Well Wishes and Dirty Dishes by Bennett

A six-time CCAF exhibitor, Bennett brings both history and fresh perspective to this milestone year. Rooted in the spirit of community, the piece evokes shared moments, potlucks, and chosen gatherings. It reflects both the joy of coming together and the unspoken rhythms of hosting, where generosity and boundaries coexist. As Bennett shares, she envisions “a world where we are always willing to make a bigger table rather than excluding others; everyone is welcome.” At the same time, the piece carries playful honesty, the familiar moment when hospitality meets its limits: “thanks for coming, but it’s 9 p.m., and it might be time to head out.”

Blending influences of mid-century advertising with acrylic and photographic elements, Bennett renders the work in a bold, pop-inspired aesthetic on wood. The result is a visually engaging and relatable celebration of togetherness, one that invites viewers to see themselves and their own gatherings reflected within it.

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Featured Artist Bennett

Bennett's journey as an artist is a beautiful blend of nostalgia and evolution. It is rooted in the cherished memories of painting with her grandmother, who inspired her with the use of a spatula as her primary tool. Years later, while staring at the blank walls of her loft in Birmingham, Alabama, Bennett rediscovered her passion for creation. What began as a practical response to life after college evolved into a meaningful exploration of her unique style, a place where process demands as much attention as its end result.

Originally from Huntsville, Alabama, Bennett spent a transformative decade in Nashville, where her art garnered local attention. Her music-inspired pieces, particularly her signature guitars, found homes in venues like Fanny's House of Music. When she decided to leave the conventional nine-to-five job, it marked a transformative period in her life, inspiring a wave of abstract works that culminated in a vibrant mixed media style.

She now humbly hangs her hat in the city of Atlanta. The city’s rhythm and energy will continue to stir and ignite a creative process born in the deep south while keeping her grandmother's artistic spirit close to her heart.

Join us on Thursday, July 2nd, for an exclusive sneak peek at the 2026 Cherry Creek Arts Festival and a special celebration of our 35th Anniversary! This vibrant evening offers an immersive summer experience set within a single block of the festival, where guests can be among the first to meet and shop from 40 talented juried artists while celebrating art, community, and creativity. Enjoy live entertainment, delectable bites, and refreshing beverages as you take in a night of inspiration and connection.

Don’t miss this unforgettable evening, join us to cheers to 35 years of Art for Everyone as we celebrate the lasting impact of the arts.

Support Arts Education

For decades, collectors have come to the Cherry Creek Arts Festival to experience and purchase original art. Through the CherryArts Student Art Buying Program, Colorado students have that same opportunity while learning about the business of art as they select and purchase artwork for their schools.

When you become a Student Art Buying Patron, you help make this transformative experience possible. Your support funds art-buying budgets and program materials for 24 schools, helping students build confidence, creativity, and real-world skills.

Since 2001, this program has empowered students from more than 470 schools to purchase over 1,300 works of original art, creating a lasting impact in classrooms across Colorado.

Become a patron today!

Let's Make Art - Sign Up Today

Get creative this summer at our Art Camp with Colorado mixed media artist Lilian Lara! Celebrating 35 years of the Cherry Creek Arts Festival, this Project Runway–inspired camp invites students to design bold, wearable art in small teams, drawing inspiration from past years festival posters. Students will learn to make patterns and use sewing machines, while also experimenting with textiles, sculptural construction and mixed media techniques.

Art Camp takes place June 1st – 5th, 9am-4pm, finished work will be on display at the Arts Festival!

Ages 11 – 17

$350 (Early Bird pricing; increases to $400 after April 19) Scholarships are available

Learn more about Art Camp

Be Part of the Magic - Volunteer

Meet the 2026 Exhibiting Artists

Celebrate the Arts. Make an Impact.

CherryArts is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit supporting artists and arts education across Colorado. Your donation helps keep the Cherry Creek Arts Festival free and funds year-round programs reaching 40,000 students annually. Support the arts, inspire the next generation, and highlight your business in front of thousands of engaged art lovers! Learn more about becoming a Corporate Donor.

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Donate Today to Support Art for Everyone

CherryArts, a Denver-based nonprofit, believes that access to art is for everyone, and artists are essential. www.CherryArts.org