By Tricia White
Art is always in fashion! Join fellow art enthusiasts for an incredible 3-day festival, May 7 – 9, at Watters Creek at Montgomery Farm at 970 Garden Park Drive (US 75 at Bethany Drive) in Allen presented by the Allen Arts Alliance. Dozens of juried artists, local and regional, will showcase original art in many different media categories. The festivities also include live music, art activities for kids, and the opportunity to mix and mingle in person with family and friends.
Admission and parking are free.
Susan Jackson, President of the Friends of the Allen Public Library, says, “This is always a great event that brings the entire community together. All of the vendors, live performances and hands-on activities make a great family-friendly weekend.”
“The Arts Festival showcases the best of everything this community has to offer.”
The Allen Civic Ballet will be sending dancers in costume to meet and greet throughout the venue. Stefanie Best, Artistic Director of the Ballet, says, “We love the vibe of mingling with other performing and visual artists. The Arts Festival showcases the best of everything this community has to offer.”
Each of the Allen Arts Alliance umbrella organizations, including the Allen Community Theatre and Allen Heritage Guild, will be showcased via window displays at the Blue House Too art space and gallery at Watters Creek.
“Watters Creek has been a tremendous supporting partner in the arts in our community through the Allen Arts Alliance,” said Christine Smith-Atkins, Chairman of Visual Arts League of Allen (VALA). “Because of their support, artists at all levels of their professional growth have been able to share their artwork with the public through shows and events at the Blue House Too Gallery and through the wonderful festivities each year!”
Nila Mendoza of Note-Ably North Texas Chorus says she is extremely grateful to Watters Creek for their generous support and for ensuring there is a space for the Blue House Too Gallery, run by the Allen Arts Alliance. This vibrant space was donated by Watters Creek to house the arts at the shopping center. Debra Martinez, Marketing Director at Watters Creek, says the shopping center is committed to supporting the arts and promoting artistic and cultural events at Blue House Too, which hosts art classes and workshops, as well as teen music nights and poetry slams. The gallery also serves as rehearsal space for Note-Ably North Texas, and Nila adds, “It is so much fun, to offer some cheer to the patrons of Watters Creek while we show off the beautiful sounds of Four Part Harmony.”
The Allen Philharmonic and Symphony Chorus will be performing on the stage on Saturday, May 8. Programming includes Copland’s Appalachian Spring Suite, along with a world premiere of Buchanan’s Variations on a Shape Note Hymn. It will include pieces by Holst, Sibelius, and Joplin. Kathleen Litinas, Board President for the Chorus, says, “Last year we came to a screeching halt on March 6, the last performance we were able to hold. It is so exciting to have live music again.” That’s something we can all agree on! Watters Creek is committed to inviting the Allen community to honor the arts in person in a COVID-safe environment.
For more information about the Allen Arts Alliance and its umbrella organizations, visit:
Allen Arts Alliance – allenartsalliance.org
Visual Arts League of Allen (VALA) – valatx.org
Allen Philharmonic and Symphony Chorus – allenphilharmonic.org
Blue House Too – allenartsalliance.org/bh2
Allen Community Theatre – allenscommunitytheatre.net
Friends of the Allen Public Library – allenfriends.org
Allen Civic Ballet – allencivicballet.org
Allen Heritage Guild – allenheritage.org
Note-Ably North Texas – nntchorus.org
