In this episode of Festival Soup, host Mike Baxter sits down with Jenny Carattini-Wright, Executive Director and CEO of The Woodlands Arts Council and The Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival. They explore the unique role of art festivals in fostering community, discuss the intricacies of planning large-scale arts events, and reflect on the journey of building a nationally recognized festival. Jenny shares valuable insights for those looking to create meaningful cultural experiences and highlights the enduring appeal of art in public spaces.

Key Points:

- [0:00] - Introduction to The Woodlands Waterway Art Festival

Mike introduces Jenny Carattini-Wright and gives an overview of The Woodlands Arts Council, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting public art and fostering creativity in the community.

- [4:45] - Art’s Role in Community Building

Jenny shares how art festivals act as the “fabric of a community,” bringing people together, inspiring reflection, and fostering creativity along the picturesque Woodlands Waterway.

- [6:37] - Volunteers: The Backbone of Success

Jenny highlights the contributions of over 500 volunteers who make The Woodlands Art Festival possible, with dedicated teams handling everything from artist relations to logistics.

- [16:36] - The Challenge of Keeping Events Fresh

Jenny discusses the strategies used to make each festival unique, such as relocating artists, adding new performance stages, and integrating different art forms.

- [17:30] - Expanding Accessibility and Diversity

After experiencing record attendance, Jenny discusses the evolution of the festival to include dog-friendly policies and family-oriented art spaces.

- [22:45] - Advice for Starting an Art Event in Smaller Communities

For newcomers, Jenny emphasizes starting small, understanding local audiences, and collaborating with other community events like farmers markets.

Quotable Moments:

• [1:02] “Art can be the fabric of a community. It builds social engagement, inspires reflection, and sparks creativity.” – Jenny Carattini-Wright

• [6:37] “Our volunteers are the heart of this festival. Their passion for art makes this event a success year after year.” – Jenny Carattini-Wright

• [17:30] “We want the festival to be fresh every year, to surprise our guests while honoring the artists and their unique contributions.” – Jenny Carattini-Wright

Links Mentioned:

• Festival Soup: https://festivalsoup.com
• Woodlands Arts Council: https://www.thewoodlandsartscouncil.org/

Tune in to learn how to bring art into your community, the importance of innovation in festival planning, and tips from Jenny for creating art-focused events on any scale. Don’t miss this insightful episode on the power of art to unite and inspire! Be sure to subscribe and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform.