20 Years of Sprinting in Heels For Art — The Woodlands’ Wildest Party Turns a Mad Dash Into a Waterway Arts Festival Masterstroke

In The Woodlands, building an art collection can mean sprinting across a room. On view now at The Woodlands Arts Council’s gallery is a stunning collection of works by world-renowned artists. The exhibit showcases pieces on loan from local collectors — each originally selected in a mad scramble during the beloved Art Dash party, which returns this Friday, April 11.

The Art Dash party is always one of the most anticipated events of The Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival. Each year, adventurous art seekers line up for the chance to sprint for original artwork. Organizers draw names at random, and when someone hears theirs, the clock starts ticking. They have just 60 seconds to race across the room and claim a piece from the curated selection.

Artists participating in the renowned festival donate original work to the event, adding to the excitement. To commemorate the Waterway Arts Festival’s 20th anniversary, local artist Annette Palmer curated a special exhibit celebrating two decades of dashing for art. Several local art lovers have donated their selections for the show, which runs through May 8.

Among the featured pieces are works by former artists-in-residence including ceramicist Cathra-Anne Barker and fiber artist Amos Amit.

Supporting the Next Generation Of Artists

While the art is impressive, the event’s true legacy lies in its impact on local students. The Art Dash party is a fundraiser for The Woodlands Arts Council‘s scholarship program.

“This event has raised more than $500,000 over the last 20 years and we’ve granted 282 scholarships,” TWAC executive director and CEO Jenny Carattini-Wright says. “In the last three years, we’ve changed our process. We now conduct portfolio reviews, and it’s very competitive. We had 39 applicants this year and 14 students won scholarships.”

Several board members and local collectors attended the exhibit opening, including TWAC board member Nancy Charbonneau, who loaned three pieces for the show.

“I’m an interior designer, but I’m naturally attracted to the outdoors,” Charbonneau tells PaperCity The Woodlands. “All three of my pieces reflect that.

“Art Dash is an amazing place to build a collection. These are original works, and every one has a story. That’s what makes it such a special event.”

Ann Snyder, another longtime attendee, shared a favorite memory from one of the first Art Dash parties.

“Back in the early years, my daughter worked for the Town Center Improvement District before we became a township,” Snyder says. “She was on the board with Nick Wolda and helped pull the names. I kept thinking, ‘She’s going to call mine any second now.’

“I was the very last name drawn, and I ended up with a wonderful piece.”

The Art Dash party will be held this Friday, April 11 from 6:30 pm to 10 pm at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel & Convention Center. For more information and tickets, go here.