Does Fort Worth ever cross your mind? Main St. Arts Festival annual trek for many

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Does Fort Worth ever cross your mind? Main St. Arts Festival annual trek for many
By Allen Rich, photos by Tammy Rich
Apr 28, 2003

The Robert Cray Band was flawlessly churning through the blues on the Sundance Square main stage at the Main St. Fort Worth Arts Festival Saturday night, but the weather may have been the big star of this free, four-day event attended by over 400,000 lovers of art, food, music and fun. Clear skies, warm afternoons and crisp nights made sure this year's festival lived up to its reputation as the best in Texas.

Rated as one of the top 10 fine-arts events in the United States, the 2003 Main St. Fort Worth Arts Festival was another shining example of how faithful corporate sponsorship and somewhere in the neighborhood of 1500 well-organized volunteers have combined for 18 years to make this a marvelous outing.

With 200 juried artists from across the country showcasing eclectic fine art along the historic red-bricked Main St., enthusiasts can appreciate painting, sculpture, glassworks, jewelry, photography and much more. More than $2,000,000 of artwork is sold during the festival as serious collectors and casual shoppers alike circle this weekend on the calendar because of the number of outstanding artists exhibiting.

Approximately 1,000 artists send in entries, and a blind jury process designed to attract a diverse selection of quality fine art selects 200 for the event. During the festival, a group of distinguished judges pick winners from 15 categories. This on-site jury also can select as many as 25 artists to return as exhibitors the following year.

Vendors fill the air with the smell of fajitas and barbecue while musicians turn out tunes ranging from blues and alternative rock to jazz, country and Tejano. His year’s musicians included Tish Hinojosa, the Dave Millsap Band, Brave Combo, the South Austin Jug Band, the Lightcrust Doughboys and the Robert Cray Band.