We are just weeks away from one of the biggest local events of the year: Art in the Square. From April 27 to 29, thousands of art enthusiasts of all ages will come out for the fun-filled weekend of exhibits, entertainment and family activities.
More than 160 juried professional artists will be featured at this year's festival, and out of that talented group, 11 were featured earlier this year in Southlake Town Hall. Locals came out and were able to vote on which piece was their favorite and would be named the People's Choice Winner.
This year, Darien Bogart was named the 2018 People's Choice Winner. Darien, an up-and-coming artist from Colorado, has been participating in Art in the Square for the past three years. His recognized work draws inspiration from the western landscape and finding the beauty in our surroundings.
“All of my landscape work is derived from my experience in nature,” Darien says. “Over the years the ‘work' has become more about the feeling of place and time than its origin. Capturing the spirit with color and form and sharing that idea with others.”
Darien hopes his pieces will “transport them to that unique space and moment of tranquility where they may discover their own respite, embrace their own moment of reflection and meditation and to instill in them the wonderful sense of being.”
Darien will be out in Southlake showing off his stuff, along with the other emerging artists. And he says it's just an honor to be among other great professional's work.
“The opportunity to show my work at Southlake is always a welcomed honor,” Darien says. “Being part of the featured artists, then the people's choice award communicates that a connection was shared and appreciated by all involved.
See Darien's, alongside the other emerging artists' work, at this year's fantastic festival.
“Art in the Square is quickly becoming one of the best fine art festivals in the country. It is an opportunity to see, purchase and experience some truly incredible artwork,” Darien says. “I am humbled and privileged to be a part of it. Please come by my booth and say, ‘Hello.'
Be sure to come say hi to us as well. Southlake Style will be out at there all weekend long, along with some of our community heroes like Julie Walsh, the 2018-2019 president of Southlake Women’s Club, and Jen Geigle Johnson, the local wholesome romance writer seen in our February 2018 issue.