Art in the Arena: Fine Art Takes Center Court

The inaugural Art in the Arena Frisco 2024 is the first of its kind indoor fine art festival in North Texas. August 16-18, artists will exhibit their work inside Comerica Center, which is home of the NHL Dallas Stars executive offices and practice ice, Frisco Fighters Football, and Texas Legends Basketball.

This event showcases Frisco's creative blend of sports and art, sponsored in part by the Dallas Stars, made possible in part by a grant from the Frisco Arts Foundation, and imagined and executed by the Visual Arts Guild of Frisco (VAGF). Art in the Arena Frisco 2024 is a showcase of fine art from local and regional visual artists of all levels, while giving the attendees a chance to meet and talk with the artists, maybe add to their own art collections, and enjoy music, food, and entertainment.

From a First Look Friday on August 16 to two days of free entry in the air-conditioned Comerica Center, attendees can peruse art from 60 emerging and professional artists while enjoying live music on the main stage. Arts in the Arena is an engaging event you won't want to miss.

About the Inaugural Art in the Arena Frisco

Learn more about Art in the Arena and the Visual Arts Guild of Frisco in this Q&A with Jennifer Luney, VP, Director of Finance VAGF:

Q: Why did the Visual Arts Guild of Frisco create this event?

Wall space and venues to showcase visual art that allows the public to interact on a large scale with local and regional artists are hard to come by in Frisco. Our organization wanted to take the outdoor art fair concept indoors. Frisco is Sports City USA, so partnering with one of our sports arenas made for a terrific intersection of arts and sports in our great city!

Q: How long has an event like this been in the works?

The mission of the Visual Arts Guild of Frisco is to provide opportunities for local visual artists to promote their work and cultivate public appreciation for the visual arts. I have been working on this idea since I joined the board in 2021. The question was: how do we get more artists on display, meeting each other, connecting with the community, and celebrating the arts, music and culture of our area on a large scale over several days with minimal barrier to entry for the artists and public, but also create a family-friend and comfortable space for patrons to shop, explore and serve our mission while creating economic impact for our artist and city? 2024 is our inaugural year for Art in the Arena Frisco, the first of its kind in the area that answers that question.

Q: What are the primary things you want people to know about Art in the Arena and/or the Frisco arts community?

Friday night, August 16th from 6pm-9pm is our VIP Night in the Arena with an art reception capped with remarks form our Artist Juror, Karen White, owner of Oasis Accents and Board Chair Frisco Arts Foundation, along with music on the main stage provided by musicians with Melody of Hope, live art creation by speed painting artist, Gabino Martinez, food, drink, and first shop of the artist booths for a $50 donation to VAGF.

Saturday, August 17th 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. and Sunday, August 18th 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. is free and open the public. There's free parking all weekend!

Q: Who should come to the event?

Art and music lovers of all ages should come on Saturday and Sunday (August 17 and 18). However, the First Look Friday VIP night is limited entry with a $50 donation to VAGF.

Q: If I want to attend, what are the details, and do I need a ticket or just walk in?

When:
Friday, August 16, 2024 from 6:00 p.m. - 9 p.m. is VIP Night in the Arena that requires donations, which can be made here.

Saturday, August 17, from 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, August 18 from 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. just walk in! We are asking the public to register in order to capture estimated attendance, but not required.

Where: Comerica Center is located at 2601 Avenue of the Stars, Frisco, TX 75034

Learn more: Check out the Visual Arts Guild website at www.vagf.org to learn more about the arts in Frisco, TX.

Stay and Admire the Arts

There's an abundance of art to admire in Frisco. From the Texas Sculpture Garden to the Hidden Art Gems, you can stay a while and enjoy all the art, culture, museums, dining, and shopping that Frisco has to offer.