Bayou City Art Festival Memorial Park Hosts Featured Artist, Aubrey Hogan
Experience Three Days of Art, Music and Family Fun on October 9-11, 2026 featuring more than 250 artists, live entertainment, hands-on activities and more
At the heart of the festival is featured artist Aubrey Hogan, a visual artist based in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, whose expressive paintings celebrate nature, texture, memory and storytelling.
Read HIS STORY HERE in his own words:
1. Share a little about yourself and how you first discovered your medium: I’m a self-taught artist based in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. I never took an art class in high school or college. I’ve just always been a creative person and liked making things with my hands. I started painting seriously in 2017 and eventually found my way to heavy-body acrylics. I really loved the physical nature of the paint and how much texture I could get out of it. I use brushes and put the paint on pretty thick, so when you get close to one of my paintings, you can see all the individual brushstrokes and ridges of paint. Then you step back, and somehow all of those marks come together. A lot of it was really just experimenting and figuring things out as I went. Since I didn’t have formal training, I wasn’t thinking too much about how I was “supposed” to paint. I just kept trying things and paying attention to what felt right.
2. How did you go about developing your style? I’ve always loved the Impressionists. I love how you can get up close to one of those paintings and see all these individual marks and colors, and then you step back and suddenly it all comes together. When I started painting, I made a decision that I was going to paint 100 large paintings in the same style. I figured if I did it 100 times, I’d learn something. And I definitely did. That was really my art school. Painting large, over and over again, forced me to figure things out—how I wanted to use the brush, how thick I wanted the paint, how colors worked together, and how much detail I actually needed. By the time I got through those paintings, I had developed a lot of the techniques I still use today. I don’t think I necessarily set out to “find my style.” I just painted enough that eventually my style found me.
3. Discuss your subject matter portrayed in your work and what you hope people take away from it: I paint a lot of landscapes, cowboys, bison, big skies, and scenes from the American West. I’ve also painted a whole series of astronauts, which might seem like it comes out of nowhere compared to cowboys and bison, but to me there’s actually a connection. I think I’m drawn to that sense of adventure and exploration. A cowboy out in this huge landscape and an astronaut floating above the Earth aren’t really that different to me. There’s this feeling of being a small person in a really big world and wanting to see what’s out there. I also love painting clouds. They’ve become a bigger and bigger part of my work over the years. Sometimes the landscape or the figure almost gives me an excuse to paint this enormous sky.
More than anything, I want people to feel something when they see the work. I like paintings that make you stop for a second, maybe remind you of somewhere you’ve been or somewhere you’d like to go. I think I’m always trying to capture a little bit of that feeling you had as a kid, when the world seemed huge and there was still so much out there to discover.
4. Thoughts on being the Featured Artist for Bayou City Art Festival: It’s really exciting and a little surreal. Art festivals have been a huge part of my career. I’ve spent years traveling around the country with a van full of paintings, setting up, tearing down, and moving on to the next show. To be named the Featured Artist at Bayou City means a lot. I’m grateful for the opportunity and really excited to share my work with everyone in Houston.
5. Words for upcoming artists: Make a lot of art, and don’t worry too much about painting what you think people will like. Paint what is true to you, and your people will find you. Try things. Make some bad paintings. Pay attention to what works and keep going. You don’t have to have everything figured out. A lot of it is just making the work and finding your way as you go.
ABOUT THE FESTIVAL:
The Art Colony Association, Inc. (ACA), producer of the Bayou City Art Festival, will transform Memorial Park into a lively, open-air art gallery filled with creativity, entertainment and family-friendly fun Friday through Sunday, October 9–11, 2026. Set along South Picnic Loop on Memorial Drive, the three-day festival will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Recognized as one of the nation’s premier outdoor art festivals, Bayou City Art Festival offers a unique opportunity to meet artists, discover original works and bring home something extraordinary. More than 250 artists representing 19 art disciplines will showcase an inspiring collection of paintings, prints, jewelry, sculpture and more, with artwork available at a range of price points to make art accessible to everyone.
Guests can enjoy a full lineup of entertainment, interactive attractions and delicious bites including:
· Live Entertainment: Catch exciting performances at the Stella Artois Stage.
· Food Truck Park: Savor a variety of delicious eats from the festival’s food truck lineup.
· Craft Beer Garden and Wine Bar: Take a break and raise a glass while soaking up the festival atmosphere.
· Picture-Perfect Moments: Snap fun photos at creative selfie stations throughout the park, including giant ART FEST letters, a musical note, a guitar, an oversized picture frame and more.
· Art on Wheels: Explore a colorful collection of imaginative art cars presented by the Houston Art Car Klub.
· Putt-Putt Mini Golf: Test your putting skills and take a shot at winning prizes from the Bayou City Art Festival Merchandise Tent.
· Be Someone Sculpture: See Houston’s iconic “Be Someone” message come to life in a memorable sculpture installation.
· Sunstop Kiosks: Stay sun-safe with sunscreen stations conveniently located throughout the festival.
· Houston Metal Arts Guild: Watch skilled metalsmiths in action during live demonstrations, discover the art of metalworking and even try your hand at creating your own jewelry.
Tickets and Festival Information:
Online, pre-purchased tickets are required for festival entry.
VIP tickets are available online for $105 per day or $150 for a weekend pass. The limited-availability VIP Hospitality Lounge offers a relaxing retreat with complimentary light bites, beer, wine and other refreshments. Guests can unwind amid artistic décor, enjoy roaming musicians and take a break from the festival excitement. VIP access is available from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and includes VIP parking.
Online general admission tickets are available at www.bayoucityartfestival.com for:
· Adults: $20 per day
· Children ages 6–12: $5 per day
· Children ages 5 and younger: Free
· Adult weekend pass: $30
Parking and Shuttle Service
There is no on-site parking at the festival. Free general admission parking will be available at Delmar Stadium, located at 2066 Mangum Road, Houston, TX 77007. Shuttle service will run between the stadium parking lot and the festival entrance throughout festival hours, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Round-trip shuttle passes are $12 per person and can be purchased through the festival website. Children ages 17 and younger ride the shuttle free of charge.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF BCAF