Here’s how to make it a fun and enjoyable event:
Preview each artist online at the website to get an idea of the ones you want to visit. Then pick up your full color map brochure once you arrive in town for all the details of this years event. The headquarters locations at Eureka Springs School Of The Arts and Practical Magic Art Supply at the Art Colony might be your first stop or visit the Chamber of Commerce or Trolley Depot (both on hwy 62).

14 Studios will be open to the public to offer a unique “behind the scenes” experience with 19 fine artists and fine crafts persons in their working environments in Eureka Springs.

Demonstrations – Artists Q&A – See works in progress and finished work is also available for sale – a great time to do some early holiday shopping.

Studio hours are: Friday and Saturday 10am to 6pm and Sunday 10am to 4pm.

The calendar for the 23rd Annual Eureka Springs May Festival of the Arts, just released, includes over 130 events – the most ever. The city known as Mid-America’s Art Capital celebrates arts of every kind throughout the month of May. “This year we continue the recent trend of raising both the number and quality of festival events,” according to C.A.P.C. Executive Director Jim Williams. “Our very talented arts community has put together an amazing and exhaustive array – everything from fine art to the ‘artrageous,’ from gallery strolls and studio walks to parades and free music in the park,” he added.

May Festival of the Arts kicks off with what is perhaps the city’s most colorful and festive parade of the year, the ARTrageous parade. It rolls through historic downtown at 2 p.m. on May 1. This year’s parade Grand Marshall is Tusk III, the Razorback mascot. Also on that day, the Queen Anne Mansion House Museum, known for its architectural uniqueness, officially opens following extensive renovations. Gallery strolls are scheduled every Saturday night from 6-8 p.m. In addition to free refreshments at participating galleries, each gallery stroll will include at least six separate artists’ receptions and shows.

Two separate arts and crafts fairs take place the second weekend of the month. Both the Turpentine Creek Arts and Crafts Fair and the War Eagle Mill Antique and Craft Show are set for May 7-9. This year’s May Festival of the Arts also includes the inaugural Grand Illumination, May 13-16. Thousands of Japanese and Chinese paper lanterns will adorn the facades of historic downtown buildings and many of the grand Victorian homes as well.

One of the month’s most festive and well-attended events is the annual White Street Studio Walk, which takes place May 21 from 5-9 p.m. Historic White Street is the working address of a large number of local artists who welcome the public into their homes and studios to view their latest works.

The month-long festival also includes a concert by the Ozarks Chorale a book signing, demonstrations of flute-making and drum-making, a healing water gathering, the season’s opening of the Great Passion Play, Art in the Park, a garden tour, a portrait-painting master class, and dozens of other events. It’s a great time of year to plan a relaxing visit to our Eureka Springs bed and breakfast.

For a complete list of events, see Events Schedule for the May Festival of Arts in Eureka Springs

For the past three years, American Style magazine named Eureka Springs as a “Top Twenty-five Arts Destination.” While Eureka Springs is much acclaimed for its arts and culture landmarks… including the renowned Thorncrown Chapel and the Opera of the Ozarks… you really haven’t seen Eureka Springs until you’ve seen the Eureka Springs Galleries. We’re excited to present the works of local, regional, and international artists in a wide spectrum of media – from photography to raku pottery, smoke drawings, oil paintings, etchings, marble and bronze sculptures, exotic fantasy art, Native American art, fine glass, and more.