On Oct. 4 and 5, the City of Richardson held its semiannual Cottonwood Art Festival in the titular Cottonwood Park three miles south of UTD, bringing together local artists from communities across the world.
Out of over 800 applicants, 200 artists were chosen to display everything from paintings and photography to jewelry, glass and ceramics at the festival. Visitors with money to spare could purchase handmade drinks and authentic Texas cuisine in addition to the art being vended. Twenty-one different local music acts presented across two stages, surrounding visitors with welcoming ambiance.
Festival director Diane Lawrence said despite the festival happening twice a year, planning it is always exciting. Having worked for over 15 years as a festival director, Lawrence said she saw Cottonwood as a unique, communal celebration of artistry.
“Cottonwood has been around for 56 years, so the formula we have put together has been something people look forward to and love every single year,” Lawrence said. “You walk amongst the trees and really get to see the artwork of over 200 artists, which is not something you get to experience every day.”
A panel of jurors meets twice a year to select featured artwork for the event. This time, David del Solar was chosen as the featured artist to share his vibrant oil paintings. Lawrence chose del Solar for both his artistry and community involvement, especially given his involvement in Richardson ISD’s visiting artist program.
“David is an incredible artist who is actually very new to the industry,” Lawrence said. “The connection he makes with the community is something we really love. He’s been such a proponent of giving back to the community.”
Del Solar, a local Richardson resident and a new artist, brought a fresh perspective to the festival. In 2023, he sold his company after being given a chance to pursue his life-long dream of creating art. Despite beginning his professional painting career only two and a half years ago, del Solar has quickly developed his skills.
“I always thought that art was one of the talents I had to develop sooner or later or else I would regret it,” del Solar said. “My wife and I used to go to these art shows and wondered ‘maybe one day we’ll be here’ like a joke, but one day we said, ‘let’s give it a shot’ and now here we are.”
Amid DFW’s concrete jungle, del Solar said he has found hope for the future by painting vibrant, fantastical landscapes. His works depict natural surroundings through an imaginative reinterpretation, with consistently eye-drawing contours. One work, “Defiant Teddy Bear,” depicts a prickly Cholla Cactus springing to life in a rocky landscape — colors clashing in an ultimately unifying battle for the eye’s attention. While del Solar paints with sharp edges, his attitude is soft and comforting.
“Painting is an honor in many ways,” del Solar said. “I think, even though we see art as a luxury, it is very important. My main goal is to be uplifting. I don’t know where this journey will take me. What I’m trying to do is make something that makes people happy and is something people will relate to.”
The Cottonwood Art Festival will return in the spring on May 2 and 3 next year. Applications to present are open until Dec. 1, 2025.
“It’s a one in a lifetime experience that we hold twice a year,” Lawrence said. “Without there being an entrance fee, it’s something really easy to access. I would really encourage anybody to come out and experience it.”