Real Frisco

Frisco Square is trying out a new festival this weekend that they hope will grow into an annual event. Arts in the Square will make its debut this weekend in Frisco Square when the area is transformed into an outdoor art gallery.

This event is something that the Square Developers have been envisioning for years.

“Art is an element of the strategy to differentiate Frisco in the competition with other cities,” said Bob Shaver, Marketing and Community Relations for Frisco Square. “Like sports, schools, good government; Frisco’s commitment to the ‘arts’ is broad and deep.”

The two day festival will feature 100 artists with works in a variety of mediums. The mediums will include: 2D Mixed Media, 3D Mixed Media, Ceramics, Digital, Drawings/Pastels, Fiber, Glass, Jewelry, Leather, Metalwork, Painting, Photography, Sculpture and Wood.  The artist wanted to be part of this show applied months ago.“We had almost twice as many artists apply as we could accommodate,” Shaver said.

The application process was completed online and the works were judged by local people.  Judges included; David B. Hickman, an award-winning sculptor; Diana Moya, an award-winning visual artists; Tal Milan, author and Director of the Milan Gallery; Chris Johnson, the publisher of Frisco Style Magazine and Paige Scheer,  founder and CEO of Scheer/Mattlage.

The event will also have free entertainment. The Romantics will headline the event with a 4 p.m. show on Saturday. There will be other music on Saturday also followed by local "performance groups on Sunday.

”“We based the entertainment choices on local demographics, those who buy art and those who just want to have fun,” Shaver said.

The event is a family event and does offer something for every age.

“There’s no age limit to art appreciation but, besides the entertainers, there’s also a kids area with a bounce house, an inflatable obstacle course, face painting and a balloon artist,” Shaver said. “Abrakadoodle and others will also offer amusements for the kids.”

Merchants in the Square are fully supportive of the event and will be open all during the festival. There is no admission cost to Arts in the Square but there is a $5 fee for the kid’s area. The festival is Saturday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Shaver hopes the festival will draw between 10,000 and 15,000 over the two days and is keeping his fingers crossed for good weather. Information:  www.friscosquare.com/AITS