12th Annual Edom Festival of the Arts
EDOM- The quaint little community of Edom, Texas, serves as perfect contrast for the premiere art festival of East Texas. On an ordinary day the vibe in Edom is unique and beckons to collectors, artists and tourists alike. It was no wonder hundreds of visitors flocked to Edom for the 12th Annual Edom Festival of the Arts this past Saturday.
Edom has been hosting artists for almost forty years in a meadow just a stones throw from downtown for this annual event. Festival goers lined the downtown area but just behind the shops a metropolis of tent covered art stores was humming with art lovers, live music and tourists.
A diverse array of art, live music, a free childrens art workshop and a wide assortment of food offered something for everyone. Collectors and fun seekers enjoyed the festival, many vowing to return again next year.
The Edom Festival of Arts is far from the average arts and crafts festivals usually accompanied by a carnival of sorts or community celebration. Edom’s festival is packed with REAL artists, who’s work speaks to you and lures you in, even if you aren’t a regular art connoisseur. Some people might think, “art just isn’t my thing,” but even the biggest sceptic is bound to find something up their alley at the Edom Festival of the Arts.
MYETX visited the Edom Festival of the Arts for the first time this year and we are pleased to announce that we will be returning next year! This festival was one of the best we have attended in 2013, and we highly recommend putting the Edom Festival of the Arts on your 2014 calendar.
Some of our favorite artists at the 2013 Edom Festival of the Arts were:
Dirt On Your Skirt Studio- Creators of Ceramics and Art Pottery
Flying Fish Gallery
By Randy Martin
Jan Byron At Home & A Broad
How did the Edom Festival of the Arts get its start?
“Forty years ago potter Doug Brown setup his pottery studio in downtown Edom where he still creates and sells pottery. He encouraged other artists to build studios in town and many took his invitation. Throughout the years Edom has been home to a glass blower, wood workers, potters, jewelers, and leather crafters.
Potter Brown started the Edom Art Fair, which ran annually for more than 20 years. The Edom Art Fair became known as the premier venue for artists and a popular event for the community, but after so may years of work, the resident Edom artists decided to stop hosting the Art Fair.
In 2000, local merchants formed the Edom Area Chamber of Commerce, and their first goal was bringing an art festival back to Edom. The Edom Festival of the Arts began in September of 2001 in the tradition of the original Art Fair: a juried art show featuring the best artists in the state and beyond.”
Edom is located halfway between Dallas and Shreveport, 20 miles west of Tyler. Take exit 540 off Interstate 20 and drive 10 miles south to Edom. More information and driving directions are available on EdomFestivaloftheArts.com.
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