The Cottonwood Art Festival has selected acclaimed visual artist Julia Gilmore as the Featured Artist for the Spring show taking place May 2-3, 2026 at Cottonwood Park in Richardson, Texas. The nationally recognized juried show will feature approximately 200 artists from around the world, showcasing a diverse range of fine art disciplines. 

“Cottonwood Art Festival is honored to feature Julia Gilmore this spring.  Her work embodies the spirit of the festival – accessible yet sophisticated, joyful yet deeply personal – and her visual storytelling resonates strongly with both collectors and first-time festivalgoers.”
Dianna Lawrence, Festival Director and Superintendent of Community Events

Gilmore’s work is instantly recognizable for its exuberant color, gestural texture, and evocative subject matter. Using a palette knife and richly layered oil paint, she transforms familiar, often nostalgic objects into bold, iconic imagery that invites viewers to connect with memory, emotion, and the beauty found in everyday life. Her original paintings celebrate a vibrant joie de vivre while honoring the stories embedded in ordinary things. 

“I am delighted to be featured and thrilled that the show sees my vision that represents the vibe of Cottonwood Art Festival. It is a top-notch festival, fabulously organized, in a great environment, and has loyal collectors and buyers from all over the area. It’s been a treat to exhibit for the past 15 years and an even bigger treat to be the featured artist. At Cottonwood, collectors have the opportunity to meet the artists, get to know them, and vice versa. Some of my best relationships are with collectors. It’s not just about selling art. It’s a lifestyle.”  -Julia Gilmore

A graduate of Concordia University in Montreal with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, Gilmore began her creative career in the city’s dynamic art and music scene. After years of touring and performing as part of an indie-punk band, she returned fully to painting, seeking a more tangible connection between artist, artwork, and audience. Today, she works from her studio in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, where she continues to explore themes of memory, identity, and generational experience through vivid color and expressive form. 

“Art is so important,” Gilmore explains. “I particularly love going into the Richardson ISD high school classrooms as a Visiting Artist to give back to young, budding artists or youth who would not even consider art and need encouragement. There’s a million and one ways that you could go into studying art and it’s applicable to anything in the world. Everything is visual.” 

As a featured artist, Gilmore’s artwork will be prominently showcased throughout the festival, including on the official 2026 commemorative poster and exclusive merchandise available in the  Courtyard boutique located in the Courtyard.  Gilmore will also be onsite throughout the weekend to engage with attendees. 

Location and Hours
📍 Cottonwood Park, 1321 W. Beltline Rd, Richardson, Texas
📅 May 2-3, 2026 open Saturday 10 a.m.-7 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
🎨 Featuring 200 juried artists from around the world

Cottonwood Art Festival accepts applications for the Spring and Fall opens and closes twice a year. Local bands are invited to submit an Electronic Press Kit (EPK) for consideration to play at the festival by contacting cottonwood@cor.gov.