See Art ~ Make Art
Artist demonstrations and art making opportunities available at this year’s Austin Artworks Festival
Scheduled Events
Calligraphy
Sally Wightkin is returning for this year’s festival to demonstrate a variety of techniques, tools, and materials. Attendees can stop by her tent anytime from 9am-5pm on Saturday and make their own keepsake bookmarks! Wightkin has been teaching calligraphy for over 30 years, and her work has been exhibited and awarded across several states, as well as featured in Letter Arts Review. She is currently an active member, tech-host, and webmaster for the Colleagues of Calligraphy, and continues to find joy in both creating and teaching this timeless art.
Watercolor
Join Amy Krause from 10am-4pm on Sunday for her painting demos and make some of your own watercolor art too! Krause is a Minnesota-based artist whose work explores social justice, mental health, belonging, and her Korean American heritage. Trained in fine art painting, she works in acrylics, watercolors, digital media, and murals, and also teaches art classes. Through her art, Amy aims to create inclusive spaces that foster connection, growth, and healing.
Harmonica Lessons
Lead vocalist and namesake of the Minnesota-based band, Everett Smithson, is offering a free harmonica lesson for attendees of all ages from 2:30-3pm on Sunday! Harmonicas and literature will be provided thanks to our sponsor, the Minnesota Blues Society.
Ongoing Events
Flash Tattoos
Local tattoo artist, Ryan Heath (Heath Studios & Tattoo), will be available for flash tattoos in the second floor gallery space of the Austin Artworks Center. He specializes in linework, dotwork, geometric patterns, and monochromatic palettes. Sit and chat with the artist for a minute while getting a quick tattoo! (Tattoos will only be available during festival hours; first come, first served).
Printmaking
Experience the art of woodblock printing by decorating your very own tote bag with full-time printmaker, Shoua Yang (Ceev Tseg Press). As a Hmong-American artist born in a refugee camp, he uses printmaking to explore identity and share narratives from the Hmong diaspora. His work blends Hmong folklore, spiritual traditions, and pop culture into abstract relief prints that carve personal and cultural stories into wood.
Face Painting
Get decorated for the festivities with Austin-based artist, Claire Bliese (Let’s Face It), who will be returning for this year’s festival to offer her wide array of designs for all ages. (NOTE: due to the unexpected demand and extreme wait times last year, face painting will now be a pay-per-customer activity).
Henna
Stop by the tent and choose from a variety of designs offered by our Henna artists. Henna is a natural dye originating from Northern Africa, The Middle-East, and Southern Asia, created using powdered Henna leaves. When applied to the skin, the dye leaves a temporary stain after drying. Designs typically last one to two weeks, charges apply.
Family Arts Tent
Get inspired and exercise your creativity by trying out our vast collection of communal craft supplies. Attendees are encouraged to create whatever their heart desires, no instructions! All projects are yours to keep.
Spin Art
Watch the paint flow while creating a one-of-a-kind pour painting on our free spin art machine!
Paint the PT
Grab a brush, apron, some of our tempura paints, and leave your mark on the Festival PT Cruiser this year!
Art is the Heart
New to the Artworks Festival this year, attendees are encouraged to contribute to this communal project by describing what art means to them on a length of red or white ribbon, then tying it to a 3D chicken-wire sculpture.
Bubble Blow
Take a break from the festival buzz by blowing some bubbles! Attendees are free to grab a wand and have some fun!
String Box Shanty
After winding your way around the festival grounds, be sure to grab some string and participate in our annual String Box Shanty! Attendees are encouraged to contribute to this temporary art project by weaving their length of rope around everyone else’s.
Subject to change.
Want to help? Volunteers needed. Learn more here.