Since 2000, the arrival of April has also heralded the imminent return of one of Southlake’s most beloved community events: Art in the Square. For two-and-a half days each spring, Southlake Town Square morphs into the center of the local art universe, with bright, art-filled booths lining the streets, alongside a formidable variety of food vendors, live entertainment, wine and beer tents and lots of kid-friendly fun.
This year from April 25-27, Art in the Square marks its 25th anniversary, an incredible milestone for a festival that has grown from a small community event into one of the most anticipated art fairs in the country. Produced annually by the Southlake Women’s Club (SWC), this fine art festival celebrates the arts while also raising funds to support local charities.
It has also proven time and again that no other local event can consistently unite the community quite like this one. Each year, more than 1,000 local volunteers gather to make Art in the Square the reliable success that it is.
“It is truly incredible, the hard work that goes on behind the scenes. From the trash cans to the staging, we couldn’t pull this off without our dedicated volunteers – not to mention our steadfast sponsors,” says event chair Kathy Talley.
Where it began
Originally planned as a one-off fundraiser, the event’s first year turned out to be an unbridled success, raising $38,000 for 10 beneficiaries. It was also a boon to the artists, thanks to the festival’s art-loving attendees. This prompted the SWC to plan another for the following year. The second year saw double the number of artists and funds raised alike, a pattern that continued in the ensuing years.
“That first year, we were lucky that we had 43 artists,” says artist chairman Terri Messing. “We have 150 now… [In 2000,] Town Square had just been built, and people had big houses with lots of walls. The art just flowed. Those of us running [the event], we just stood there watching painting after painting leave.”
Thanks to the dramatic increase in interest, SWC started jurying the submissions in the second year. A panel of local artists was created to score submissions, including artwork and a proposed booth shot, to determine who would make the final cut that year. These days, SWC receives over 650 artist applications from across the US, as well as internationally, for the 150 coveted slots each year.
“Our reputation grew very early on as a lucrative show for the artists to do,” Terri says. “These artists travel around the country doing shows, [and] they talk to each other. It has really helped us that people like to come here, and they see this as an educated community where people are very interested in the art - not just wandering around and there for entertainment.”
It wasn’t just the artists who began to flock to the philanthropic event. Local charities became equally enamored with it, quickly impressed with the event’s ability to rally community members for a cause. In fact, with so many charitable organizations in need of the generous grants, as with artist selection, SWC began a juried process to choose each year’s beneficiaries.
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“We have so many great organizations that want to partner with us,” explains Kathy. “Unfortunately, we can’t say yes to everyone.”
Evolving with the community
The symbiotic relationship between the artists and community has only continued to flourish throughout the years. The prestige of the event has attracted top-tier talent, which in turn has attracted an ever-growing crowd of culturally-minded attendees – and more funds going to beneficiaries.
Over the years, Art in the Square has raised a jaw-dropping $3.58 million for 78 unique local charities like Miracle League of Southlake, Dragons Care, Metroport Meals On Wheels and the Me Squared Cancer Foundation. The impact of the SWC’s fundraising can be directly felt by so many in the community.
“[SWC’s] generosity directly helps us provide financial assistance to newly diagnosed cancer patients in DFW,” says Me Squared’s executive director Cristi Duea. “In return, we’re honored to give back through Art in the Square. We feel truly blessed to be a part of such a supportive community.”
Art in the Square has also been a regular fixture in national rankings of the best art fairs in the country for many years. In 2024, it ranked #4 on the prestigious Art Fair SourceBook’s list of the best fine art fairs, with an average net sale of $10,793 per artist.
One reason for Art in the Square’s continued success is that it gives the community members a chance for a deeper connection with both the art and the artists. And that’s exactly the point. It provides the perfect opportunity to actually speak to the artists and learn more about the process behind each piece. The organizers also make a point to keep it interesting, with only about 40-50% of the artists each year returning.
To date, there’s only one artist, fine jewelry maker Jo Jennings, who has displayed her creations in every iteration of the event. “[AITS] has really just grown and evolved so much throughout the years... But what I really can’t wait for is seeing all the friends I’ve made there. There are so many customers that come back every year; it doesn’t matter if they buy anything or not, I just can’t wait to catch up with them.”
It's exactly this strong community feel that draws in tens of thousands of visitors each year. Art in the Square is not just about art; it’s an experience for the entire family. The festival features live entertainment on two stages, a bistro walk filled with delicious food and beverages, and a Kid’s Korner fun zone with activities for teens, ‘tweens, and younger children. Visitors can enjoy a day of shopping for unique art, while their kids take part in fun activities designed just for them.
“It’s a celebration of the culture and the volunteerism of the community,” explains Terri. “It’s what this city is about.”