The Art Festival of Henderson returns for Mother’s Day weekend

The Art Festival of Henderson returns for Mother's Day weekend offering new entertainment and art vendors.

"It is a nice outing for everyone," said Katy Mason, an organizer for the event. "You have some art work geared toward kids while you have some art work created by kids."

The event is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Henderson Events Plaza, 200 S. Water St., and is set to feature painters, potters, glass blowers, sculptors and crafters. Admission is free.

Nicole Johnson, a spokeswoman with the city of Henderson's cultural arts and tourism department, said the city spends a lot of time reaching out to artists and entertainers to make sure the festival has a variety of artists.

"For the artists, we saturate feeder markets in neighboring states with our information to entice them to participate," Johnson said. "With all the events that we do each year, we have a large database of entertainers."

In addition to reaching out, Johnson said Henderson is often contacted by groups searching for a venue or event to be at.

Along with getting artists as vendors, the city organizes activities for people to participate in.

This year, Mason said, the city combined the children's area and the chalk area into one Imagination Station.

"We've created more hands-on projects for children," Mason said.

Johnson added that children can participate in a "green component" at this year's Imagination Station.

"Kids can help create the soda can mural as well as make repurposed art using plastic bottles to make flowers," Johnson said.

Mason said people still can compete in the chalk art competition, where artists are encouraged to create a drawing on a designated piece of concrete.

All artists need to do is fill out an application and stick to what size concrete they want to compete on.

"We provide the chalk," Mason said.

Several entertainment acts are scheduled, including the Las Vegas Saxophone Quartet and Killian's Angels.

Along with the vendors and entertainment traditionally seen at the Art Festival, Mason said there should be some new additions.

The yoga studio Namaste is slated to have demonstrations on yoga and dance.

"People might not think of y oga as art," Mason said. "But the movement is art."

They are also expected to demonstrate slacklining.

"It is a cross between tightrope walking and a trampoline," Mason said. "It is pretty incredible to watch. It's just starting to catch on."

This year for the first time, Mason said, the festival plans to feature a booth that highlights local authors . The authors are expected to meet the public and offer their books for sale.

Along with the art work at the Henderson Events Plaza, The Pinnacle Gallery Children's Art exhibit is also expected to be on display Saturday and Sunday at the Pinnacle Building, 203 S. Water St.

Mason said she expects the event to bring in close to 20,000 people during the two days.

Regardless of the number, Mason said, it is great opportunity for mothers to stroll by and get gifts.

"There are a lot of artisans making gifts," Mason said.

For details, visit hendersonlive.com.

Contact Henderson/Anthem View reporter Michael Lyle at mlyle@viewnews.com or 387-5201.