The Festival of the Arts is an annual event held in Oklahoma City's Bicentennial Park that celebrates the visual, culinary and performing arts. Established in 1967, it is a beloved rite of spring and a symbol of ACOKC. Every April, more than 400 artists submit their works to be considered for the festival. Of these, over one hundred are chosen to showcase their pieces in oil, drawing, engraving, photography, watercolors, ceramics, glass, sculpture and wood.
There are also two-dimensional and three-dimensional installations. The six days of the festival are packed with live music and theatrical performances on four stages located in the beautiful Myriad Botanical Garden and Crystal Bridge Conservatory. More than 140 outdoor and indoor stands display art from around the country. This annual arts show in downtown Tulsa draws in over 350,000 spectators and welcomes hundreds of local and regional artists to exhibit their art, including dance, music and visual arts. At the Walkin' on Chalk art festival in Altus, each participant is given a 6 x 6 foot section of pavement and approximately six hours to create their work. More than 90 visual artists come together every year to present their juried works of art during the Paseo Arts Festival.
The Oklahoma City Art Festival features an art market for children, events and art workshops for the whole family, as well as hands-on activities for kids. Visit the Montmartre Chalk Art Festival in Chickasha to witness artists creating works of art using only chalk. The festival also includes many special events, such as the Angels & Friends Party at the Civic Center Music Hall to support the arts. Applications are now being accepted to participate in the Oklahoma City Arts Council's youth art sale, which offers local young artists the opportunity to showcase their creative works. Discover diverse works of art created by members of 47 Native American tribes at the Catoosa Cherokee art market and enjoy cultural demonstrations like storytelling and flint carving. The Arts Festival is free for all to attend and celebrates all artistic initiatives for six action-packed days in late April.
From paintings, jewelry, photographs, mixed media and other beautiful pieces, 144 artists from across the United States will be represented at this year's Festival of the Arts.
