The Third Annual Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival Set for April 12 and 13

Sally Maxwell Named as Featured Artist

The Woodlands, TX – The Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival is set to hold its third annual event April 12 and 13, 2008. The festival is a juried fine art show featuring 200 national and regional artists of various mediums selling their original creations. Festival hours are 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $10 for adults. Children 12 and under are admitted free of charge. Proceeds from the festival benefit local arts-related organizations.

The event takes place along the meandering Waterway from The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel and Convention Center alongside The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion and culminates at Town Green Park. This beautifully landscaped site in the heart of The Woodlands features ample parking, water taxi and trolley service along the entire length of the festival, concessions within the festival site, and an array of eateries and shops within walking distance of the festival.

The Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival has announced the selection of Sally Maxwell, a master scratchboard artist from LaGrange, Texas, as the featured artist for the third annual event. Maxwell has more than 30 years experience as an artist and began working in this medium several years ago. Her love of Texas wildlife can be seen in her work, as well as in the featured artwork for the festival.

At the festival, The Woodlands Children’s Museum presents interactive art activities for children in Town Green Park, which is also the site of an exhibition of student art from public and private schools in Montgomery County. Entertainment on two stages and fine dining selections at the “Palette Café,” featuring food from signature eateries, provides guests with a relaxing atmosphere.

New this year, the festival features international artists from Mexico and a Floating Art Parade. The Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival Board of Directors is working with the Mexican consulate to select five artists, in a variety of mediums, whose art will be featured at the event. For the Floating Art Parade, area businesses, organizations and individuals are invited to design and build a float that will glide down the Waterway at 10 a.m. on April 12, the first day of the festival. Each float will be judged and the winner will be given The Woodlands Waterway Cup. Following the parade, the art floats are anchored and displayed throughout the festival weekend.

"Going into its third year, The Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival has tremendous momentum and national recognition from many publications and touring fine artists throughout the United States," said Lynette Wallace, executive director. "The artists are excited about this event and look forward to the beautiful locale and the art patrons it attracts."

For more information about The Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival, visit www.woodlandsartsfestival.com, send an e-mail to info@woodlandsartsfestival.com or call 281-222-6820.