The Woodlands Arts Council to host its first Texas Fine Craft Show

The Woodlands Arts Council is gearing up new programs and events to highlight the work from artists locally and across the globe.

Since its inception 20 years ago, the nonprofit organization’s Waterway Arts Festival has been among the largest arts festivals based on sales in the country, bringing in hundreds of artists, musicians, authors into The Woodlands’ Town Center each spring. In 2022, the event brought in 23,000 visitors. 

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The group has set its first Young Makers Market where artists ages 8-18 will be able to sell their art at a one-day mini festival on Market Street Sept. 7 and has planned its inaugural Texas Fine Craft Show for November. 

The November event is expected to feature the work of “world-class fine craft artists,” while allowing visitors to pick up gifts just in time for the holidays, said Jenny Carattini-Wright, executive director of the nonprofit. 

“This is really, truly about understanding what fine craft is,” Carattini-Wright said, noting that the organization wanted to give exposure to a new group of artists. “And really getting to know artists and hearing their technique and style, and understanding their inspiration. And adding unique, one-of-a-kind things to your home.” 

Fine craft is three-dimentional, hand-made pieces that are functional, she said. These pieces include hand-made purses, earrings and scarf’s — to name a few examples. 

The Texas Fine Craft Show is expected to be a three-day event Nov. 1-3. It will be held at the Westin at The Woodlands hotel, off 2 Waterway Square Place, according to a release by the organization. Ticket proceeds from the show will go back to the Microgrant program, which supports art educators, organizations, students, and independent artists in Montgomery County, the release states. 

Single-day tickets are priced at $28, while the organization is also offering a “Bubbles with Benefits” package — priced at $150 and includes weekend access to the show. The drink package also includes access to a premiere event held on Nov. 1, which will allow guest the first opportunity to purchase some of the fine crafts made by artists around the world and enjoy drinks and hor d’oeuvres. 

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The new event is chaired by Haley Garcia, vice president of the nonprofit, local leader and art enthusiast, the release states. 

“I could not be more thrilled to be a part of our inaugural fine craft show and to share with The Woodlands what fine craft truly is,” Garcia said in a written statement. “This event is an amazing addition to our long-standing and popular arts festival, and I know it will become a staple for all of us art lovers for years to come!”

The Woodlands Arts Council also is preparing to unveil several new installations around the township, including a piece dedicated to its 50th anniversary and four new art benches, Carattini-Wright said.

The benches are part of the art bench project that launched in 2014, which came from The Woodlands’ tradition of public art and a desire to contribute something that was both aesthetic and functional to the popular walkways that line The Woodlands Waterway.

And the organization also is gearing up for the 2025 Waterway Arts Festival, Carattini-Wright said. 

“So, lots of little things happening, plus the big festival planning,” she said. “We’re going to keep on truckin’ and doing all kinds of great art.”