Fort Worth resident Penny Buchan, 80, picks up a painted coaster during the West Main Arts Festival on Sept. 20 on West Main Street. Buchan said that seeing art warms her heart and gives her ideas.
Photo Elvis Martinez-Cartagena
Downtown Arlington’s West Main Street burst with color and creativity Saturday as the West Main Arts Festival returned for its ninth year.
Crowds filled the West Main Street corridor near Arlington City Hall to browse more than 70 artist booths, hear music from three stages, and take part in food, workshops and community activities that stretched through the afternoon and into the evening.
Booths lined the street with sculptures, paintings, handmade jewelry and photography while crowds browsed under the afternoon sun.
Families stopped for food truck snacks and children leaned over tables to try interactive activities. Musicians kept the crowd moving, filling the plaza with a mix of rock, indie and acoustic sets that carried into the evening.
For some, the event was more than just a showcase.
“[Art] is my best friend,” said Penny Buchan, a local artist who attended the festival.
Workshops gave visitors a chance to create for themselves. Jaime Marum, owner of Catalyst Creative Arts, guided attendees through pottery-making at his booth.
“That’s really the best thing for me, is seeing someone come in, enjoy the experience and come away with a creation,” he said.
Arlington resident Pam Leary, 67, smiles while buying a work of art during the West Main Arts Festival on Sept. 20 on West Main Street. Leary said she likes the laid-back atmosphere of the festival.
Photo by Elvis Martinez-Cartagena
Keychains from Kupcake Kisses hangs in front of Arlington City Hall during the West Main Arts Festival on Sept. 20 on West Main Street. The event featured live painting demos and hands-on workshops.
Photo by Elvis Martinez-Cartagena
Burleson, Texas, resident Annabelle Thompson, 30, looks at vintage clothes during the West Main Arts Festival on Sept. 20 on West Main Street. Thompson said she creates art because it helps her get in the zone and tune everything else out.
Photo by Elvis Martinez-Cartagena
The band Crash Through the Floor performs during the West Main Arts Festival on Sept. 20 on West Main Street. Music performed at the festival included rock, indie and jazz.
Photo by Elvis Martinez-Cartagena
Arlington resident Jaime Marum, 54, sculpts clay during the West Main Arts Festival on Sept. 20 on West Main Street. Marum hosts art workshops at Catalyst Creative Arts in downtown Arlington and said he likes providing people with the joy of creating.
Photo by Elvis Martinez-Cartagena
UTA alumnus Charlie Kennedy, 74, works on a painting during the West Main Arts Festival on Sept. 20 on West Main Street. Kennedy said painting allows him to slow down and be more patient.
Photo by Elvis Martinez-Cartagena
Fort Worth resident Stephen Hill, 43, shaves wood during the West Main Arts Festival on Sept. 20 on West Main Street. As a software developer, Hill said he unwinds with hands-on projects, including woodworking.
Photo Elvis Martinez-Cartagena
Arlington resident Mary Wolfe, 57, looks at bead bracelets during the West Main Arts Festival on Sept. 20 on West Main Street. Wolfe’s favorite kind of art at the festival was the sculpting.
Photo by Elvis Martinez-Cartagena
Arlington resident James Wood, 60, looks at a vendor’s necklaces during the West Main Arts Festival on Sept. 20 on West Main Street. The festival brought together more than 70 visual artists.
Photo by Elvis Martinez-Cartagena
Mansfield, Texas, residents Dritt Cross, 65, right, and Sam Cross, 63, left, look at art during the West Main Arts Festival on Sept. 20 on West Main Street. Dritt Cross said his favorite art at the festival was a vendor painting in person.
Photo by Elvis Martinez-Cartagena
People lounge at Levitt Pavilion during the West Main Arts Festival on Sept. 20 on West Main Street. Booths showcased painting, photography, sculpting and jewelry.
Photo by Elvis Martinez-Cartagena
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