Vandergriff Art Festival, the longest-running art festival in Arlington, recently took place in June for the first time. It ran from June 3 to June 5, but in the past, the festival typically occurred between March and May.
According to the festival’s website, organizers changed the date due to poor weather conditions in recent years.
“If you were an artist or maybe even a patron between 2013-2021, then you know the festival has faced some sort of unfavorable weather conditions, from very cold temperatures in March or rain in May, we experienced it,” the Vandergriff Art Festival website shared before the event.
It continued, “So, this year we move to June and hopefully escape the elements that did not make Vandergriff Art Festival an ideal experience for artists or patrons over the past 8 years. While it might be a bit warmer in June, a bright sunny day is what we all really hope for during an event … and June gives us that opportunity!”
Admission and parking were free for the festival. Up to 100 local artists were present, according to North Texas e-News, in addition to live music performances and food vendors.
The Arlington, Texas government website first shared the new dates for the art festival in mid-May.
The site explains that attendees could interact with various art forms, including “ceramic, drawing, fiber, glass, jewelry, metal, mixed media 2D, mixed media 3D, painting, photography, sculpture and wood.”
Steve Moya, a local Arlington artist, founded the festival in 2012.
“As an artist myself, I travel to different cities and states to sell my work,” Moya shared on the Arlington Texas website. “The support from the local communities that attend the art festivals make it possible for me to earn a living as an artist. My goal is to provide artists one more opportunity to sell their work with the hope that the citizens of Arlington and surrounding cities will be that same support for the artists participating in Vandergriff Art Festival.”
Moya says he created the festival specifically with Arlington and local artists in mind.
“I created Vandergriff Art Festival for the citizens of Arlington. This event is about community and support for the arts,” he explained. “It’s about being proud to have a first-class art festival in your hometown. It’s about knowing that artists from all across Texas and the United States choose to come to Arlington for this event.”
Each year, local bands of varying genres are invited to perform. The 2022 Vandergriff Art Festival saw musical performances by Scant, Ashmore, Jay-B & The Zydeco Posse, and Back in Time: The Huey Lewis Experience.
Multiple food vendors were also at the festival, and attendees could relax in wine and beer tents.
Sponsors of this year’s event included the City of Arlington, Arlington Parks and Recreation, Milo’s Tea, LeafFilter Gutter Protection, J. Gilligan’s Bar & Grill, the Candlelite Inn, and Big Sky Minerals.
