A beloved springtime event is set to return to Town Green Park and along The Woodlands Waterway® to commemorate its 20-year journey on April 11, 12, and 13, 2025. Organized by the local arts non-profit, The Woodlands Arts Council, the festival's proceeds will directly support local microgrant initiatives and student art scholarship programs.

White tents and umbrellas line The Woodlands Waterway to shade displays of local and international artwork for sale at The Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival. Dozens of people of all ages take in the sights.

The Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival is a premier event in Texas's fine arts scene. For over ten years, Art Fair Source Book has ranked the festival among the top ten outdoor fine arts festivals in the country. For an impressive thirteen consecutive years, it has also earned the title of “Best Event in The Woodlands.”

This dynamic outdoor art exhibition features original fine artworks across 12 different mediums, showcased by 200 jury-selected artists from local, national, and international backgrounds. Attendees can explore painting, photography, jewelry, sculpture, ceramics, and more. The festival also offers a variety of family-friendly activities, including live performances on the Stella Artois Mainstage and two additional stages, Books On The Green focusing on literary arts, and children’s art activities at ARTopoly in partnership with The Woodlands Children’s Museum. Guests can indulge in local food, craft beer, and fine wines.

A man, 40s-50s, smiles and offers a thumbs up to the camera. He is wearing a light blue shirt, a dark blue lanyard carrying his name tag, and a star-shaped medal on a red, white, and blue-striped lanyard. Blurred in the background is one of the man's sculptures, a figure struggling to carry a rough, concrete pillar on his back.

Featured Artist Thomas Wargin | Photo Courtesy of TWAC

The camera faces a sculpture by Thomas Wargin. It is an abstract piece featuring a contorted male figure encased in a cube made of thin, black, metal bars. The figure, balanced on a stone pillar with his right fist, clings to a tree limb with his left hand and feet. Other natural elements like leaves and smooth river stones are also incorporated.

"Balancing Boundaries" Sculpture by Thomas Wargin | Photo Courtesy of Thomas Wargin

This year, the Featured Artist is Thomas Wargin, a sculptor from Wisconsin, chosen by a panel of local art experts. With over 25 years of experience, Wargin has collaborated with Fortune 500 companies and created intimate pieces in a small art studio, demonstrating his dedication to crafting impactful and visually stunning works. His sculptures, often inspired by childhood tales and subconscious exploration, encourage viewers to engage their minds and visual senses.

His featured piece, “Balancing Boundaries,” delves into the tension between freedom and constraint, harmony and discord, utilizing contrasting materials such as steel, stone, and bronze. This sculpture embodies Wargin's talent for weaving metaphorical storytelling with exceptional craftsmanship, leaving the audience in a state of reflection and wonder.

“Our visitors have been enchanted by Wargin’s art at past festivals, and we eagerly anticipate their admiration and connection with the inspiration behind this piece,” shared Jenny Carattini-Wright, Executive Director & CEO of TWAC.

People looking at artwork during Art Dash in The Woodlands, Texas

To kick off the weekend festivities, an exciting Art Dash Party, sponsored by The Woodlands Compounding Pharmacy, will take place on the evening of Friday, April 11, at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel and Convention Center.

The 20th Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival’s generous sponsors include Anchor Sponsors - Visit The Woodlands, The Woodlands Compounding Pharmacy, Woodforest National Bank, Howard Hughes, and Stella Artois; Official Sponsors - The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel & Convention Center, The Woodlands Township, Garcia Real Estate Group, Grand Ranches and Ovintiv; and Festival Sponsors - The Woodlands Arts Gallery, The Madeley Fine Art Gallery, Moment Architects, and others.

EVENT DATES & HOURS

FESTIVAL

  • Friday, April 11, 2025 - 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
  • Saturday, April 12, 2025 - 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
  • Sunday, April 13, 2024 - 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

ART DASH PARTY

  • Friday, April 11, 2025 - 6:30 PM-9:30 PM

 

MEDIA CONTACT

Alicia de Alva, (281) 221-0729

Marketing Coordinator

alicia@TheWoodlandsArtsCouncil.org