Every fall, artists from around the country migrate to Houston to participate in the downtown Bayou City Art Festival. This event showcases the works of 300 artists across 19 different media categories. This outdoor festival attracts more than 20,000 attendees, allowing visitors to meet with exhibiting artists, purchase one-of-a-kind art, and enjoy live music and tasty food.
As an art consultant, I constantly seek new, talented artists to use in client spaces (Okay, or keep for myself!). This year, I searched for artists who use traditional mediums in unconventional ways, whether through recycled objects, reinterpretations of traditional mediums, or just a new perspective on a time-tested subject- and the festival did not disappoint!

Here are just a few of the artists I had the pleasure of meeting at the festival:

Gregory Arth

We have had the incredible privilege of working with Greg on a few projects at Skyline Art. He coincidentally dropped off a commissioned piece to us on his way into town.

The commission is a stunning rendition of the Golden Gate Bridge he created for a children’s hospital in California. My favorite part is that the piece is comprised of vintage circuit boards plus a little sheet music from our client’s archive! There were so many moments of discovery, which is perfect for positive distraction for the patients, visitors, and staff. Greg began using circuit boards as a medium for his art in 1989 after seeing a piece of tech that reminded him of an aerial view of NYC. His current work spans a wide range of subjects- from portraits and still lives to bustling cityscapes and robot fights.

It’s always good to see a friend of Skyline at the fair!

Jerry Bergin

My next stop was at Jerry Bergin’s Booth. Jerry is an award-winning contemporary mixed media artist residing in Oklahoma, combining plasters, automotive finishes, and various glazes.

His work displays a rugged textural quality that is still light, airy, and fresh. I love that Jerry’s work tiptoes the line between distressed and new. Often, a corporate or healthcare setting can feel cold and uninviting. However, adding artwork with a touch of earthiness can inject an inviting sense of warmth and comfort.   

My favorite piece, reminds me of reclaimed metal, with rich browns and blues accented by pops of vibrant yellow and orange.

Neil Russell Greenridge

 Originally from Barbados, Neil Russell studied and worked in New York and Iowa before landing in Southern California. Utilizing multiple mediums, including heavy-bodied acrylics, tempered glass, metal, and resin, Neil hopes that every time viewers see his work, they notice something new. As you can see in the photos below, his mission is undoubtedly a success!

I had a hard time choosing a favorite, but it’s a tie between this vast expanse of blue and the more cosmic piece beneath it. The natural wave-like element, coupled with the serene blue tones, would work wonders in livening up a space needing color.

Conclusion

Art festivals are an excellent platform that brings together artists from diverse backgrounds and regions, creating a space for creativity and innovation. They are also a great resource for finding new artists to add to the Skyline Art artist database. Upcoming festivals I look forward to attending are the Houston Art Fair (January 26th – 28th, 2024) and the Spring Bayou City Art Festival (March 23rd-24th, 2023).