The RiverArtsFest is a annual arts festival held in Downtown Memphis each October. It features visual art from over 350 juried artists, live musical performances on three stages, hands-on art activities for children, and food and drink from local vendors. The festival aims to promote appreciation of the arts in Memphis and surrounding communities. Last year's event attracted an estimated 85,000 people.

1. River Arts Fest
Text by Mariah Giblin
In the midst of autumn,
when the leaves are
turning brilliant shades
of vermillion, gold and
ocher, and the crisp
outdoor air beckons,
many residents of the
Mid South find
themselves searching
for the perfect event.
There are a couple of
things that make a Mid
South event a must do:
a great location, great food and drinks, live music, a connection to the
community, and family-friendly atmosphere. This month Downtown Memphis
has the perfect solution: the RiverArtsFest.
October 2013 will mark the 7th annual RiverArtsFest, an event including the
visual, performing and culinary arts located in the Historic South Main Arts
District. The festival evolved from Arts in the Park in Overton Park in 1984 with
the Brooks Museum. The event’s success led to the formation of the Memphis
Arts Festival, which hanged names to Experience Art in Memphis in 2003. Then

2. in 2006, RiverArtsFest
had its inaugural
festival. The mission of
RiverArtsFest is to
“cultivate, promote,
encourage and
develop public
appreciation and
support of the visual,
performing, literary
and culinary arts for the
benefit, education and
enjoyment of the
citizens of Memphis and surrounding communities in the
Mid South.”
The event has certainly
been a major success
in the community, as
the attendance for last
year’s event was
estimated at 85,000
people and growth has
almost doubled since
its inception. Part of
this success is the
festival’s devotion to
promote gallery-quality
artists from the region
and throughout the United States. The Juried Artist Market includes local,
regional and nationally acclaimed artists from an applicant pool of over 350. The
applicants’ portfolios are reviewed by a panel of notable members of the
Memphis artistic community and admittance to the event is by invitation only.
This feature is certainly a must do—being exposed to high-quality artistry is not
something you want to miss!

3. Another way that the festival brings art to the community is by encouraging
creativity and imagination in children through the Hands on Art activity. The
festival is definitely a kid-friendly place, and the perfect event for families that
want to promote the arts. The activity is sponsored by Art Center Supply Store
and kids of all ages can make various arts and crafts during the day.
Music and live entertainment are an important part of RiverArtsFest. Festival-
goers can revel in Live Musical Entertainment at one of the three stages. Acts
begin in the morning and continue throughout the evening, giving plenty of
opportunity to soak up the sounds of the region.
No festival would be complete without food and drink, and at the RiverArtsFest
it is exceptional. Each
year the event features
food vendors from
around the Memphis
area, delighting any
foodie with culinary
treats with a variety of
styles and tastes. For
those who are young at
heart but above the age
of 21, Beer and Wine
Booths are set at four
different locations.

4. In accordance with their
mission, RiverArtsFest has
a multitude of volunteer
opportunities for those
who want to encourage
creativity and raise
awareness for the arts in
the community.
Opportunities include
ticket sales and working
the Beer and Wine
Booths, and volunteers
receive a free t-shirt to
wear during the festival.
Potential volunteers can sign up via a link on
www.riverartsmemphis.org/volunteers/.