Southlake Times > News
Art in the Square set for this weekend
By Chris Roark, croark@starlocalnews.com
Nice weather, a major band and, of course, quality artwork is the recipe for what organizers hope is the most successful Art in the Square yet.
The 13th annual Art in the Square will take place Friday through Sunday at Southlake Town Square. Times are 4-10:30 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Hosted by the Southlake Women’s Club, the event will feature about 145 national and local artists, as well as entertainment that includes a performance by country star Chris Cagle. “With the weather predicted to be phenomenal and with everyone excited about Chris Cagle, I think we’ll have a good crowd,” said Carmen Evans, the event sponsorship chairwoman. Evans said previous events have drawn between 35,000 and 50,000 people over three days. “We’re recognizing how much of a draw we’re getting from outside of Southlake,” Evans said. “More than 50 percent of the people we have surveyed are from outside Southlake.” Evans said that new digital billboards to promote the event have helped spread the word even more. The type of art available has also been a draw. This year’s event will include 2D medium, 3D relief and sculpture from traditional bronze, outdoor metal, multimedia decorative sculpture and photographic art. One highlight will be the oil artwork from Stephen Sebastian, who has been named the Art in the Square’s 2012 Artist of the Year. There will also be a local youth juried exhibit. “I think what makes this so popular is the quality of art,” said Samantha Munns, event chairwoman. “We have 700 artists apply for 150 spots. Not only that, but it’s the entertainment we have, as well as the location. We keep it pretty contained.” The free event will also include children’s activities. Kid’s Korner and The Zone, which includes a bounce house and a rock climbing station, is being moved to the parking lot near the post office and Five Guys Burgers and Fries. It had previously been located near Corner Bakery. Another change this year is that the entire event, including food purchases, will be using a ticket system. Cagle will highlight the entertainment, as he will take the stage at 8:30 p.m. Saturday. Casey Weston, who was the No. 8 finalist on last season’s “The Voice,” will perform at 3:30 p.m. Sunday. She will sign autographs from 4:25 p.m. to 4:50 p.m. before performing again. Organizers hope this will only increase the popularity for the event that is already known nationwide as one of the best. ArtFair SourceBook, a 20-year-old national publication to the best juried art and craft fairs in the country, has ranked this festival No. 8. “I think it’s definitely because of how the Southlake Women’s Club and Southlake Town Square hosts the event and takes care of the artists,” Evans said of the ranking. “The sales are generally pretty high, and the artists have said that the setting is beautiful.” Art in the Square is the Southlake Women’s Club’s primary fundraiser with money going to support 25 local charities that serve women, children and families throughout Northeast Tarrant County. Among those are APEX Arts League, Battered Women’s Foundation, Carroll Education Foundation, Community Storehouse, GRACE and Metroport Meals on Wheels. Since 2000, Art in the Square has raised more than $1.5 million.
The 13th annual Art in the Square will take place Friday through Sunday at Southlake Town Square. Times are 4-10:30 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Hosted by the Southlake Women’s Club, the event will feature about 145 national and local artists, as well as entertainment that includes a performance by country star Chris Cagle. “With the weather predicted to be phenomenal and with everyone excited about Chris Cagle, I think we’ll have a good crowd,” said Carmen Evans, the event sponsorship chairwoman. Evans said previous events have drawn between 35,000 and 50,000 people over three days. “We’re recognizing how much of a draw we’re getting from outside of Southlake,” Evans said. “More than 50 percent of the people we have surveyed are from outside Southlake.” Evans said that new digital billboards to promote the event have helped spread the word even more. The type of art available has also been a draw. This year’s event will include 2D medium, 3D relief and sculpture from traditional bronze, outdoor metal, multimedia decorative sculpture and photographic art. One highlight will be the oil artwork from Stephen Sebastian, who has been named the Art in the Square’s 2012 Artist of the Year. There will also be a local youth juried exhibit. “I think what makes this so popular is the quality of art,” said Samantha Munns, event chairwoman. “We have 700 artists apply for 150 spots. Not only that, but it’s the entertainment we have, as well as the location. We keep it pretty contained.” The free event will also include children’s activities. Kid’s Korner and The Zone, which includes a bounce house and a rock climbing station, is being moved to the parking lot near the post office and Five Guys Burgers and Fries. It had previously been located near Corner Bakery. Another change this year is that the entire event, including food purchases, will be using a ticket system. Cagle will highlight the entertainment, as he will take the stage at 8:30 p.m. Saturday. Casey Weston, who was the No. 8 finalist on last season’s “The Voice,” will perform at 3:30 p.m. Sunday. She will sign autographs from 4:25 p.m. to 4:50 p.m. before performing again. Organizers hope this will only increase the popularity for the event that is already known nationwide as one of the best. ArtFair SourceBook, a 20-year-old national publication to the best juried art and craft fairs in the country, has ranked this festival No. 8. “I think it’s definitely because of how the Southlake Women’s Club and Southlake Town Square hosts the event and takes care of the artists,” Evans said of the ranking. “The sales are generally pretty high, and the artists have said that the setting is beautiful.” Art in the Square is the Southlake Women’s Club’s primary fundraiser with money going to support 25 local charities that serve women, children and families throughout Northeast Tarrant County. Among those are APEX Arts League, Battered Women’s Foundation, Carroll Education Foundation, Community Storehouse, GRACE and Metroport Meals on Wheels. Since 2000, Art in the Square has raised more than $1.5 million.
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