History of the Texas Arts and Crafts Fair
History
Designated by the Legislature as the “official” Texas State Arts and Crafts Fair, this long-running event is observing the 53rd anniversary of its founding in 2025.
Held on the grounds of the Hill Country Arts Foundation, this weekend showcases the work of more than 120 artists, crafters, musicians, and demonstrators exclusively from Texas.
The fair is set on 13 acres on the banks of the Guadalupe River, and surrounding Stonehenge II. Visitors can browse and shop for fine art, pottery, photography, jewelry, stained glass and more. Educational activities include blacksmiths and knifemakers, quilters and potters who show off their crafts, live music will play all three days, there will be trick or treating at the artist tents, an art themed costume contest, and the while kids can visit the Art Exploration Zone to create their own art to take home. Refreshments include food trucks reflecting Texas’s diverse cuisine, and craft beer and wine.
The fair had its genesis in 1970, when the Texas Tourist Development Agency, inspired by successful arts fairs in West Virginia and Canada, determined to establish a similar event in Texas. One of the agency’s early projects was the establishment of the HemisFair in 1968. The Texas Tourist Development Agency was aware of the benefits of these special events and realized the need for arts and craft activities in Texas.
From a number of competing cities, Kerrville was selected as the host site and approved and endorsed by the Texas Legislature The first arts and crafts fair was held on the Schreiner University campus over Memorial Day weekend in 1972. A folk-music festival organized to complement the first arts and crafts fair engendered the Kerrville Folk Festival, which thereafter operated independently.
In 1974, the Texas State Arts and Crafts Educational Foundation was incorporated as a nonprofit organization with a 16-member board to sponsor the fair.
Between 1972 and 2013, Texas artists, selected by a jury, displayed arts, crafts, and other Texas made goods, ranging stylistically from pioneer to contemporary, with an emphasis placed on traditional craft items. After 30 years on the Schreiner campus, the fair relocated in 2002 to a county-owned facility, River Star Park. Due to financial challenges, the fair went bankrupt in 2013.
After a five year hiatus, the Hill Country Arts Foundation relaunched the “official” Texas Arts and Crafts Fair in 2018 on its campus in Ingram. That first year, the fair partnered with the Kerrville Folk Festival, with a concert at the Point Theatre on the opening night of the fair, so the two iconic Hill Country events enjoyed a reunion of sorts.
Who We Are
Hill Country Arts Foundation is a center for the visual and performing arts that was established in 1959. A group of artists established HCAF to enrich, educate and enlighten members of the community through the arts.
The small group of artists, united by their love of the Hill Country’s beauty and appreciation of the arts, dreamed of creating a place for arts education, exhibition and performance—a place where families and individuals of all ages could explore their talents.
Today, HCAF has enriched, educated and enlightened generations of families and individuals interested in the arts.
HCAF offers learning experiences in the visual and performing arts for all ages. Through classes, workshops, exhibitions, camps and stage productions, members of the community come together to learn and develop skills in both the visual and performing arts, as a group or as individuals.
HCAF is a 501 (3) c non-profit organization that depends on HCAF memberships, grants, volunteers and generosity from members of the community.
Beneficiary
Now in its 65th year, the Hill Country Arts Foundation is committed to providing the community with high-quality visual and theatre arts. The Texas Arts and Craft Fair gives the foundation a platform to showcase the comprehensive programs offered and share success stories to thousands of ears and eyes. As the only facility of its kind in the region, the Hill Country Arts Foundation stands out as a vital resource in the community.
120 Point Theatre Road South
Ingram, TX 78025
Artist and Exhibitor Corner
This is a call to all creatives - from fine artists to extreme crafters! We're asking you to help us make this year’s new Texas Arts and Craft Fair better than ever. Think you have what it takes? Apply to be an artist here.
