RiverArtsFest

Home
United States
Memphis, TN
RiverArtsFest

Returning to Riverside Drive in Downtown Memphis, October 17 & 18, 2026. Celebrating 20 Years!

RiverArtsFest Features:
- A Juried Artist Market featuring original works from local artists and artists from across the nation and Canada
- Live entertainment
- Artists at Work demonstrating new and innovative artistic techniques
- Hands-On Art activity center for kids of all ages

06/17/2026

Splash of color here. Wave of ink there. Grab a cocktail and watch it take shape.

🎨 Darlene Newman: Painting. Watercolor. Big. Bold. Joyful.
✍️ Derikah Scott: Lettering. Whimsical. Beautiful. Yours.

Summer Social is on! Our first-ever summer fundraiser featuring live music, craft cocktails and creative bites—plus two Memphis artists working right in front of you.

Darlene is an illustrator and painter known for colorful, whimsical work rooted in faith and positivity. Derikah is an art director, graphic designer, and lettering artist with nearly a decade of award-winning creative work.

Grab your tickets to Summer Social (going fast, by the way), and show your support for RiverArtsFest and our year-round work to bring artists like Darlene and Derikah to the classrooms and the community.

🗓️ Thursday, June 25 | 6–9 PM | Ugly Art Co. | 635 Madison Ave.
🎟️ Tickets just $40 at https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/summer-social-presented-by-riverartsfest

Sponsors: The Ugly Art Co. , Bar Limina, JEM , Kirby Wines & Liquors Crosstown Brewing Company , Morningside Brands

06/13/2026

You. Us. Jeff and Jacob. Bar Limina's open-air courtyard. 🎶 🌅

Summer Social is on! Our first-ever summer fundraiser featuring live music by Memphis favorites Jeff Hulett and Jacob Church, craft cocktails and mocktails curated by mixologist Josh Conley of Bar Limina, and creative culinary bites by JEM.

Plus original art on auction and artists in action.

Why it matters: All proceeds support RiverArtsFest's year-round community and arts education work—free workshops, school partnerships, and bringing professional artists to Memphis classrooms, nonprofits and local events.

🗓️ Thursday, June 25 | 6–9 PM | Ugly Art Co. | 635 Madison Ave.
🎟️ Get your tickets today: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/summer-social-presented-by-riverartsfest

Sponsors: Ugly Art Co., Bar Limina, JEM, Crosstown Brewing Company, Kirby Wines & Liquors, Morningside Brands

06/12/2026

We're less than 2 weeks away from throwing our first ever summer party! ☀️

Summer Social is a fundraiser to support our year-round community and arts education programming. We hope you'll join us June 25 from 6–9 pm at Ugly Art Co.

Thanks to our culinary partners Bar Limina and JEM, you'll enjoy:

🍹 Curated cocktails, mocktails & bites inspired by beloved RiverArtsFest commemorative fine arts posters

🎶 Live music under the open sky by super talented Jeff Hulett and Jacob Church

🖌️ Artists in Action Darlene Newman and Derikah Scott showcasing their creativity in real time

🎉 And a summer evening celebration of 20 years of Memphis’ fine art festival

Summer Social. One ticket = a great night + a meaningful cause.

Tickets are going fast! Get yours today: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/summer-social-presented-by-riverartsfest

06/04/2026

We're kicking off RiverArtsFest's 20th anniversary with something new. Join us for our first Summer Social.

Low-key. High-fun. Memphis vibes.

Art for auction. Drinks and bites inspired by festival posters. Live music in a courtyard.

📆 Thursday, June 25 | Ugly Art Co. | 635 Madison Ave.
🎟 Tickets just $40 | Link: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/summer-social-presented-by-riverartsfest

All proceeds benefit the festival and our year-round free community and arts education programming.

Big cheers to our partners: The Ugly Art Co. Bar Limina JEM Crosstown Brewing Company Kirby Wines & Liquors

06/01/2026

Recognize the Artists.

They draw new lines, shape bold visions, and paint wonders onto blank canvases and young minds. Through our annual fine arts festival and year-round free community and arts education programming, we recognize Memphis artists who share their gifts and ignite the artists in all of us.

We're honored to be among the grantees of ARTSmemphis .

05/30/2026

📢 Last call, artists!

The deadline to submit your artist market application is almost here, and we don't want you to miss it.

Whether you're a seasoned exhibitor or an artist who's just getting started, there's still time to submit your work for consideration to participate at one of the top-rated fine arts festivals in the nation.

🗓 Deadline: Sunday, May 31
🔗 https://www.zapplication.org/event-info.php?ID=14135

05/18/2026

We love fall, but it’s time to soak up Memphis’ hottest season and throw a party for festival friends and art lovers. ☀️

We're celebrating our 20th anniversary in style with Summer Social, presented by RiverArtsFest. A night of art, music, good food, and even better people.

📅 June 25 | 6–9 PM
📍 Ugly Art Co., 635 Madison Ave.

Experience a silent auction with original works of fine art, creative bites & drinks inspired by select festival posters, live music in an open courtyard, and an Artist in Action doing what they do best. Thursday night done right.

Every ticket purchased supports RiverArtsFest's year-round arts education, free workshops, school partnerships, and accessible art experiences across Memphis and Shelby County.

A party for a cause and a darn good time. Come kick off year 20 with us. 🥂

🎟 Get your tickets here: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/summer-social-presented-by-riverartsfest

05/12/2026

This weekend was full of creativity, connection, and hands‑on art making at the Art for All Festival. 🎨

Our aluminum‑foil printing activity with TAC Artist in Action Darlene Newman was a hit with artists of every age, and every single print was a masterpiece in its own way. Huge thanks to everyone who stopped by our table, and to Art for All for celebrating the creativity that lives in every corner of Memphis.

05/05/2026

Are you a Mid-South artist who's just getting started? Have your first festival experience at one of the top-rated fine arts festivals in the nation.

Our Emerging Artist Program is designed for local, early-career artists who are new to selling their work, and offers dedicated booth space, real learning opportunities, and connections that go beyond the festival weekend.

🗓 Applications close May 31

🔗 Learn more: riverartsmemphis.org/emerging-artist

Know someone who should apply? Tag them below or send them this post. 👇

03/13/2026

🎨 ART EDUCATORS: Join us at the TAEA West Regional Spring Conference for two FREE, hands-on workshops and a guided tour that pairs studio making with behind-the-scenes learning.

📍 Metal Museum (374 Metal Museum Dr.) | Saturday, March 28 | 12:30–4:30 pm

Beginner Enameling Workshop, 1 pm: Explore multiple enameling techniques on copper and learn how glass powder is fused to metal through high heat to create a glossy, decorative surface.

Cast Art Tile Workshop, 3 pm: Design a small relief tile by drawing within a 4-inch square and carving into resin-bonded sand; the foundry team will cast into an aluminum art tile.

Register for one or both workshops. Workshops are capped at 10 participants each. Workshop participation not limited to conference attendees.

Workshops are generously funded by RiverArtsFest with additional support from the Tennessee Art Education Association and the Metal Museum.

🔗 Register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScbx7IhY-ar2mW6wfuE34ce3lf0I0SYlt4145ehiFT8VRRFIA/viewform

Address

47 Riverside Drive
Memphis, TN
38103

Website

http://www.riverartsmemphis.org/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when RiverArtsFest posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Want your establishment to be the top-listed Arts & Entertainment in Memphis?