Kerrville will bolster its image as the Hill Country center of the Texas arts scene as thousands of visitors will be drawn to a variety of art shows and cultural exhibits Memorial Day Weekend.

One event that’s gained a national reputation as one of the state’s premier art shows is the 7th Annual Texas Masters of Fine Art and Craft Invitational Exhibition, which will be held Friday, May 28 through Sunday, May 30. Twenty of the finest award-winning artists in the Southwest will transform the ballrooms of the Y.O. Ranch Resort Hotel into a breath-taking gallery of original artwork. For more information about the show, visit www.texasmasters.com.

The grandfather of Texas art shows, the 39th Annual Official Texas State Arts & Crafts Fair, displaying the artistic talents of 160 Texas artisans, will kick off with a wine & beer tasting, featuring food, live music, and dancing on Friday, May 28 at 6 p.m. On Saturday and Sunday, fair hours will be from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with a Saturday night dance from 6 until 9 p.m. On Monday, May 31, the fair will open at 10 a.m. and conclude at 4 p.m. The TACF is one of the top-ranked arts and crafts events in the nation with arts, crafts, music, food and fun for the whole family, including a children’s activity area. The fair will be held at the River Star Arts & Event Park, 4000 Riverside Dr. 830-895-5711, 888-335-1455.

Various admission packages are $10 for a four-day pass including Friday and Saturday night dances, and $40 for the Texas Wine & Beer Tasting includes admission and dances. Lots of parking and shuttle service will be available. For more information, visit www.tacef.com – or call 830-895-5711, 888-335-1455.

One of the great Texas traditions returning for its 39th edition is the Kerrville Folk Festival. The Kerrville Folk Festival is held annually at the Quiet Valley Ranch, 9 miles south of Kerrville on Texas Hwy 16. Starting on Thursday, May 27, the music continues for 18 days until June 13, with performances by more than 100 singer-songwriters and their bands. For more information on the festival, call 830-257-3600 or go to www.kerrvillefolkfestival.com.

The Kerr Arts & Cultural Center will host a number of art shows and exhibits including the Fifth Annual Southwest Gourd Fine Art Show, May 27 – July 11. Gourd artists from around the country compete in this amazing show of sculptural gourds you have to see to believe. Kerr Arts & Cultural Center is at 228 Earl Garrett. Supporting the local art scene, this expansive gallery hosts a diversity of multi-media exhibitions. KACC also offers gift items created by local artists. Gallery hours are Tuesday – Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Sunday 1-4 p.m. Admission is free. For further information, go to www.kacckerrville.com or call 830-895-2911.

Kerr County Market Days, a market place for quality goods from the Hill Country, including arts and crafts, fresh grown produce and plants will run May 29 and 30. Hours will be 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday at the Kerr County Courthouse Square, 700 Main Street. Phone 830-895-4655 for details.

In addition to the events that attract artists from across the state, Kerr County is home to many artists and craftspeople, making it a popular destination for art lovers. 15 galleries and museums, representing a diversity of styles and media, have formed the Art in the Hills Association to coordinate their exhibitions and create the”Hill Country Art Trail.” They can be accessed at www.artinthehills.com.

The Kerrville Convention & Visitors Bureau, 2108 Sidney Baker, Kerrville, TX 78028, 830-792-3535 has information about these and other happenings in the heart of the Texas Hill Country. Their website is www.kerrvilletexascvb.com.

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