The annual RiverArtsFest returns to the Memphis riverfront this weekend for its 18th year. As the largest and longest-running fine arts festival in the region, this year’s festival features 165 artists participating in the artist market, with artists from 31 states including 13 local artists.
“The quality of the artwork is superb,” says Denise Ford, the fest’s artist market director. “We are ranked number 19 in the country as the top fine arts festivals by Sunshine Artist Magazine, which is a magazine that’s devoted to art fairs and festivals in the country, … and those rankings are done by the artists themselves.
“There are many that come back year after year. Probably a third of the artists are new to the festival each year, so it always stays fresh. There’s something for everybody. There are fiber artists; there are people who make baskets. It’s not all just art to hang on the wall; it’s a little bit of everything.”
And the day has a little bit of everything, too. “There’s hands-on art,” Ford says. “People will be able to actually create a piece of artwork and take it with them. So that’s a nice way to have an experiential time there; while you’re at the festival viewing everything else, you can actually create something yourself.”
Six local artists will also demonstrate their craft: Brandy Boyd (metalsmithing), Rick Cannon (woodturning), Katey Henriksen Gardner (papermaking), Jarvis Howard (papermaking), Nicola Tupis (glassblowing), and Becky Ziemer (pottery). “The nice thing about that is that people can interact with them directly and ask them questions,” Ford says, adding that these artists will also be selling their work.
Both days will have live entertainment on two stages: the ARTSmemphis Partners Stage for performing arts groups, like Hot Foot Honeys Tap Dance Company and Opera Memphis, and the RiverArtsFest South Stage strictly for music. (See schedule below.)
Proceeds from the festival support year-round community and arts education programming for students, arts educators, and the public. “We try to provide paid opportunities for as many local artists as we can in the community, and some of that entails them teaching master classes in area schools, or partnering with an art teacher in a local school on a project that they jointly work on with their students,” Ford says.
In that mission of supporting local artists, for the festival, organizers also commissioned artists to create the murals for their tent walls, instead of having plain white tents, and their collectible poster features art by Carl E. Moore. “We also have an emerging artist program and that is another local opportunity,” Ford adds. Selected participants receive mentorship from professional local artists and free booth space at the festival. This year they are Dana DeLarme, Leigh Sandlin, and Hank Smith.
For more information on this year’s fest and to purchase tickets, visit riverartsmemphis.org.
Uber and Lyft drop-off and pick-up, as well as handicap pick-up and drop-off, is at the foot of at Jefferson and Riverside.
ARTSmemphis Partners Stage Lineup
SATURDAY
9-10:15 a.m. Hands on Art
Memphis Youth Symphony Program
9-10:15 a.m. Volunteer Tent
Grindhouse Dance/Subroy Movement
11-11:40 a.m.
Memphis Youth Symphony Program
12-12:40 p.m.
Hattiloo Theatre
1-1:40 p.m.
Tennessee Shakespeare Company
2-2:40 p.m.
Grindhouse Dance/Subroy Movement
3-3:40 p.m.
Stax Music Academy
4-4:40 p.m.
Hot Foot Honeys Tap Dance Company
SUNDAY
9-10:15 a.m. Volunteer Tent
Harmonic South String Orchestra
11-11:40 a.m.
Harmonic South String Orchestra
Noon-12:40 p.m.
Cazateatro Bilingual Theatre Group
1-1:40 p.m.
Young Actors Guild
2-2:40 p.m.
PRIZM Ensemble
3-3:40 p.m.
Opera Memphis
2024 RiverArtsFest South Stage Lineup
SATURDAY
11 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
Delta Cats, Delta blues with a bounce
12:30-1:45 p.m.
Loveland Duren, roots-soul vocalist Vicki Loveland and power-pop maven Van Duren collaborate to create one of Memphis’ best modern duos
2-3:15 p.m.
2 Quarts Low, bluegrass masters
3:30-5 p.m.
Tonya Dyson Trio, blending gospel, jazz, and R&B into a new Memphis legacy
Strolling buskers
1:15-3:15 p.m.
Billy Gibson, blues harmonica
SUNDAY
11 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
Beth Luscombe Strings, string quartet
12:30-1:45 p.m.
Jeff Hulett, Snowglobe founder, singer-songwriter
2-3:15 p.m.
Elmo and the Shades, Memphis music at its finest
3:30-5 p.m.
Tennessee Mass Choir, traditional Gospel
Strolling buskers
Noon-2 p.m.
Alice Hasen, violin / fiddle
2:15-4:15 p.m.
Jeff Hulett strolling duo, strolling songsters
