Show Review of the Month Bayou City Art Festival Memorial Park
Bayou City Art Festival Memorial Park
Location: Houston, TX
Dates: Oct. 10-12, 2025
Contact: Art Colony Association, Inc.
Website: www.artcolonyassociation.org
Email: artist@bayoucityartfestival.com
Phone: 713-521-0133
Venue: 100% outdoors
Space fees: $625 to $1,850 |Exhibitors: 300
Attendance estimate: 17,000
COMPILED FROM FASTAUDIT REVIEWS
The Bayou City Art Festival Memorial Park includes art, entertainment, and an imagination zone. Sixty percent of the artists who reviewed the 2025 show said they would exhibit again.
“I love it all. The experience was amazing for me being this was my first time at this show. I love the organization, the crowd, the volunteers, and my spot. I could not have asked for more,” said a ceramicist who made $5,800 and would do the show again.
A fiber/textile/leather artist who reported $6,000 in sales would return. “The staff is the best — supportive, respectful, and always available,” this artist said. “The clientele is art-savvy and always respects the artist.”
An artist whose medium was painting had $7,600 in sales and would not return, saying it never felt crowded. This artist said there is a need for artist-only restrooms at the festival.
An art glass artist who made $3,600 would not do the show again. “Sales were poor and have fallen off in the last few years,” the artist said.
A jewelry artist would participate again due to the show being well organized, well publicized, convenient for clients, and having quality artwork. This artist’s sales totaled $4,500.
SHOW PROMOTER’S SELF‑REVIEW
Wendi Meisberger said 2025’s Bayou City Art Festival Memorial Park was fantastic. “The weather was gorgeous, the attendance felt steady, and the patrons were buying,” she said.
Meisberger, the artist relations manager, does her best to talk to each artist at every event she does and said, “And mostly every artist I spoke to had a wonderful show. I felt like everyone was happy and spirits were high.”
Featured artist Jonah Ballard was received very well, as Houston loves his artwork. She said the VIP was completely sold out on Saturday, and the changes made to the VIP area were beautiful. “I have been working this event in my position for two years now, and I think overall this has been the best show yet,” Meisberger said.
What Artists Said
Attendance was estimated at 17,000, and Meisberger said they received great feedback from artists. “Overall, most artists did really well sales wise. Compared to last year especially, sales were definitely up,” she said.
Forty-eight percent of the artists who filled out the promoter’s post-event questionnaire said they sold between $6,000 and $15,000. “I had multiple artists tell me that this was their best show ever!” Meisberger said. “Obviously, not every artist is going to have a great show, but even the ones who weren't hitting their sales goals still had wonderful attitudes. They had fun catching up with friends and collectors and received lots of new emails and followers for their blasts and social media.”
What the Promoter Learned
Meisberger said Art Colony Association, Inc., the festival’s promoter, learns and improves each year. “I have already made changes to the Artist Relief Department and will be continuing to do so,” she said.
Thier Best Improvements
In 2025, they changed how volunteers are trained and directed. Meisberger said it was well received, and they will continue to get better. “My goal for the relief volunteers is to make sure that no artist ever feels like they weren't checked on — that they got plenty of water and snacks throughout the weekend,” she said. “I will also be making better improvements to the load-out and parking instructions. That was an area of confusion for a handful of artists, and we'll be sure to smooth out that communication leading up to the festival for next year.”
Regarding the changes she is making to the artist relief tent area, Meisberger said the artists are the stars of the show. She believes they need to give the volunteers more direction than they received in the past.
“I created a section map and assigned each group of roaming volunteers sections they are in charge of to ensure that no booths are missed. The tent managers also held shift meetings during every shift change to go over responsibilities and expectations,” she said. “The morale alone changes the whole vibe for the group. When we really instill into the volunteers that the artists need to get the best treatment possible and that we are only here because of them, then the service they provide shifts and they take much better care of the artists.”
Her message to those considering this show is, “Houston is an incredible hub for art and culture. Houstonians love art and human connection. You'll find life-long collectors here.
“One more thing: there are a few things that we can't control — and that's the weather and the economy — but what I can control is how each artist is treated. I am always a phone call away and ready to talk though anything. I do my best to make sure every artist has a smooth and enjoyable experience, and they leave Houston feeling like they've made great friends and great connections.”