We love the Cottonwood Art Festival and were excited when they reached out to us to sponsor this post! If you haven’t discovered this annual festival yet, read all about Becky’ experience below and come out and see it for yourself!
Twice a year the City of Richardson transforms the lovely Cottonwood Park near my neighborhood into a wonderland of creative energy. Dozens of white canvas tents are set up in the grassy field. Colorful flags are erected across the park entrance. A children’s area is prepared with stations and supplies just waiting for the spark of creative imagination each child will bring.
When my kids see these preparations taking place they know it’s time for one of their favorite things:
The Cottonwood Art Festival
My family has been attending this FREE, well-organized event for years. It has something for everyone. My husband and I enjoy perusing the tents that are filled with all genres of art. The artists featured at the festival had to compete to win a space to display their wares, so all of the tents are filled with incredible pieces. It’s like an outdoor art gallery where the items on exhibit are for sale. There’s art for every taste and budget, whether you’re a serious collector or just looking to decorate the house.
My kids enjoy looking at the art on display, too, but they would rather MAKE art. This is where things get really cool. The festival has a huge children’s area where kids of all ages can paint canvases, decorate with paint, or even throw pottery on an electric wheel. Most of these activities have a small fee.
Here’s a sample of the options available for budding artists this year:
Crazy Cool Caps– Let the kids show off their pint-sized personalities by creating their own colorful, over-the-top hat! There are plenty of ribbons, glitter, feathers, pompoms, and foam shapes for all to use.
Throwin’ Mud– It’s OK for the kids to play in the mud at this activity 
station guided by ArtStop’s own master potters as they learn to throw a pot or form a vase on an electric potter’s wheel.
Fancy Fingers– Kids can dip their hands into a rainbow of colored wax to make a lasting, colorful impression of their hand. Fun for any age!
Petite Pottery– Just in time for Mother’s or Father’s day! Kids can paint their own teeny, tiny, hand-thrown vase- the perfect vessel for some hand-picked flowers.
Rollin’ and Recyclin’– A free “Art in the Park” activity that lets kids repurpose slices of tree limbs into necklace charms they can decorate and wear.
As if all this weren’t enough, there are also local bands playing great music and good food and drinks for sale. When we need a break from all the activities, my family enjoys grabbing a snack and sitting in the shade by the lake. It’s a beautiful and relaxing place to watch the ducks swim as the sounds of people, laughter, and music form a festive background noise.
Our family lives close enough to walk to Cottonwood Park, but there is free parking available at Richardson High School. Check out www.CottonwoodArtFestival.com for all the details about what the festival has to offer and to plan your visit. You won’t want to miss it!
**This post was sponsored by the Cottonwood Arts Festival of Richardson, Texas. While Dallas Moms Blog received compensation for this post, 100% of the opinions in this post are our own and weren’t influenced in any way.
