60-plus juried artists, live music, children’s activities, wine, and a historic square that looks like it came straight out of the 19th century — ArtWalk returns to Fayetteville on May 2 and 3. Free and open to all.
Between Austin and Houston, halfway through a stretch of rolling Fayette County farmland, sits a town most Texans have never visited — and should. Fayetteville, Texas has a historic square anchored by an original district courthouse, surrounded by buildings that have been standing since before the Civil War. It’s the kind of place that feels frozen in the best possible way, where the pace slows the moment you turn off the highway.
Every first weekend of May, that square comes alive. Arts for Rural Texas brings ArtWalk to Fayetteville — a free, juried fine art festival that has been voted Best Cultural Event by readers of the Fayette County Record and draws artists, collectors, families, and first-time visitors from across the region. This year it runs Saturday, May 2 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, May 3 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
What ArtWalk Actually Is
ArtWalk is not a craft fair. Every artist on the square has been selected through a juried application process — meaning what you find here is original work held to a genuine quality standard. More than 60 artists working in painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, ceramics, fiber, and mixed media fill the historic square with work that ranges from accessible prints to serious fine art collectibles.
Live music fills the square throughout both days. Artist demonstrations give visitors a chance to watch creative process in real time — not just browse finished work but see how it gets made. A food and beverage court keeps everyone fed and poured. The children’s art tent brings hands-on activities for younger visitors, making ArtWalk a genuinely family-complete afternoon rather than an adults-only gallery experience.
This Year’s Featured Artist
Arts for Rural Texas named Houston-based artist and interior designer Janice McCubbin as the 2026 featured artist — a longtime friend of the organization who has participated in ArtWalk every year since the festival began. McCubbin works across a wide range of styles, techniques, and media, painting landscape, architecture, animals, still life, portrait, and figure with exceptional skill. Her background in interior design gives her work a sophistication and polish that makes it both gallery-quality and genuinely livable. Find her work in the Old Firehouse at this year’s festival.
Why This Festival Matters Beyond the Art
Arts for Rural Texas was founded on a simple but important premise: children in rural areas deserve the same access to art education and creative development as children in cities. ArtWalk is one of the organization’s primary fundraising events — every dollar raised supports ARTS’s children’s programs across Fayette County and the surrounding region, including Art After School, the annual Youth Art Competition, and the Courthouse Music Series.
When you buy a piece of art at ArtWalk, you’re doing more than decorating your home. You’re funding a kid in a rural Texas town who gets to take an art class they’d otherwise never have access to.
The Town Behind the Festival
Fayetteville’s historic district was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2008 — a designation that encompasses the entire town site. The original district courthouse sits at the center of the square, surrounded by original buildings that still house a post office, bank, dining, and local businesses. Walking the square during ArtWalk is as close as Texas gets to a living time capsule — and the festival fills it with exactly the kind of energy that makes you want to stay through Sunday.
Event Details
Event: ArtWalk 2026 — Presented by Arts for Rural Texas Dates: Saturday, May 2 and Sunday, May 3, 2026 Hours: Saturday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. / Sunday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Location: Historic Town Square, 112 N. Washington Street, Fayetteville, TX 78940 Admission: Free and open to the public Activities: Juried fine art, live music, artist demonstrations, children’s art tent, food and beverage court, wine booth
Website: artsforruraltexas.org Facebook: Arts for Rural Texas Instagram: Arts.for.rural.texas
