Houston Community News >> Bayou City Art Festival Art on Water

8/7/2007 Houston, TX-  Ready to make a creative splash? The Bayou City Art Festival Downtown has announced the call for entries for its third annual “Art on Water” floating art competition on the City Hall Reflection Pool at Hermann Square. This year’s theme is “Water in Motion.”

“We’re asking local artists to express movement through artwork either stationary or through kinetic nature of sculpture or installation,” said Kim Stoilis, executive director, Art Colony Association, producer of the Bayou City Art Festival Downtown. ‘Art on Water’ is open to professional and student artists alike, working either independently or as a team. Applications are due Friday, September 14, with a total of 15 works selected for exhibition.

The “Water in Motion” artworks will be the centerpiece of the Bayou City Art Festival Downtown, Saturday and Sunday, October 13 and 14, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The two-day event is situated at 900 Smith Street, in front of City Hall’s Hermann Square on Walker, Bagby and McKinney Streets, and Sam Houston Park.

Artists must submit an application with a statement and rendering of their proposed work (colored pencil, watercolor or marker) to the Art Colony Association, according to Art on Water Chair Salli Babbitt. The floating art must be waterproof, non-biodegradable and weighted with plastic weights.

“Artists may use anything that floats, such as plastic, inner tubes, pool floats, cloth, or boats, for instance,” explained Babbitt. The maximum width of the base is six feet with no height restrictions. Use of any materials that will disintegrate, dissolve, or in any way damage the reflecting pool or stain the water or concrete, is prohibited.

The waterborne works will be juried with cash awards: $500 for first place and $250 each for second and third place. Festival patrons will vote for the People’s Choice Award ($250 prize.) Applications, available at www.bayoucityartfestival.com, must be completed and mailed with renderings to: Bayou City Art Festival-Art on Water, 1418 Sul Ross, Houston, TX 77006.
This year’s 36th Annual Bayou City Art Festivals, ranked in the Top 5 favorite art festivals in the U.S., showcases the works of 300 fine juried artists, as well as interactive art, a variety of multi-cultural musical and dance entertainment, artist demonstrations and food and wine refreshments. The festive outdoor gallery will feature 19 media formats: clay, drawing/pastel, fiber/textiles, furniture, glass, jewelry, leather, metal, mixed media, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, watercolor and wood. Adding to the Festival experience will be an interactive Creative Zone for children, plus restaurants and wine cafes, the Broadway in Houston's Broadway Café, and the performing arts stage, where the Houston Arts Alliance spotlights continuous multi-cultural musical and dance entertainment.

The City of Houston and Houston Parks & Recreation Department are among the Festival sponsors. The Festival is funded in part by grants from the City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance.

Over the past 36 years, the Bayou City Art Festival, a 501c(3) organization, has raised more than $2.2 million for local charities.

Admission is $10 for adults and free for children 12 and under. Parking is available on city streets and for the usual event fee in the City Hall Annex, Hobby Center or Theater District Parking under Tranquility Park.

For further Art on Water information check www.bayoucityartfestival.com ,e-mail info@bayoucityartfestival.com , or call Salli Babbitt, (713) 665-1130.