May 15 – 17, 2026
Join us to Celebrate Artisans of the Southwest
Celebration of the Arts (COA), organized by the Arts Council of Midland, returns for our 42nd year! COA is the cornerstone fine art, fine craft event in the Permian Basin, and is the longest running downtown event in Midland, Texas. COA has a strong reputation locally, with community support year after year, and draws out of town visitors. The festival hosts local entertainers and performers, non-profit organizations, family-friendly activities, and special events throughout the weekend. Beat the heat inside the air-conditioned Bush Convention Center and enjoy a great time with the family!
COA Premiere Party and "Rock The Arts"
Friday, May 15, 2026 | 6:30 PM - 10 PM
Ticketed Event
COA Festival Day
Saturday, May 16, 2026 | 10 AM - 5 PM
Free Admission | 40 + Regional & Out of State Artists
Interactive Demonstrations
Saturday, May 16, 2026 | 11 AM - 3 PM
Free Admission | Participation Encouraged!
Family FUN Block Party
Saturday, May 16, 2026 | 11 AM - 4 PM
Free Admission | Local Musicians take the Outdoor Stage
COA Festival Day
Sunday, May 17, 2026 | 10 AM - 5 PM
Free Admission | 40 + Regional & Out of State Artists
Classic Car Club
Sunday, May 17, 2026 | 10:30 AM - 1 PM
Free Admission | Classic Memories AACA Car Club of Midland
BINGO
Sunday, May 17, 2026 | 1 PM & 3 PM
Free Admission
Crank it up and Rock the Arts!
Celebration of the Arts kicks off May 15 at 6:30 p.m. with an electrifying Premier Party.
Get ready for creativity taking center stage and the energy hitting like a headlining act. Enjoy bites, bubbly, and a high voltage silent auction in a vibrant atmosphere where bold art and rock and toll collide.
Preview and purchase incredible original artwork before the festival opens to the public on Saturday and Sunday.
ROCK THE ARTS
COA Presents
Distinguished Artist
Midland Quilters Guild
“Fostering the Art of Love”
Established in 1979 by founder Jean Roberts, the Midland Quilters Guild has grown from a small circle of 28 enthusiasts to a vibrant community of over 100 members. Our mission is to foster a shared love for the art of quilting through education, collaboration, and public demonstrations at local landmarks like the Museum of the Southwest and the Midland County Libraries.
Every two years, the Guild hosts its premier Biennial Quilt Show, a showcase of the extraordinary skill and creativity of our members. This event features prestigious awards—including the Mayor’s Choice and the unique "Gusher Award" sponsored by local businesses—alongside a highly anticipated Silent Auction and Quilters Market. Beyond the artistry, the Guild is deeply rooted in service; since 1988, our members have donated handmade quilts to organizations such as Habitat for Humanity Homes, Hospice, Hope House/Allison Cancer Center, Rape Crisis/Child Advocacy, Senior Link, Safe Place and Quilts of Valor, ensuring that our craft provides comfort and warmth to those in our community who need it most.
Become a member by going through their website.
Contact Info:
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Website: midlandquiltersguild.com/
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Instagram: instagram.com/midlandquiltersguild/
2026 Sponsors
**As of May 19, 2026
The Stage Shaker
Kay Bird | John and Maurine Cox Foundation
The Rhythm Maker
Holly & James Blakemore | Karmen & Bill Bryant | Mary Lou Cassidy | Community National Bank
Nancy Gibson | Douglas Scharbauer | SM Energy Company
The After Party
Diamondback Energy, Inc. | Doyle Hartman | Joanie Holt | Tierra Company, LP
The Rebel
Deborah & Earl Baldridge IV | Julie Edwards | Frost Bank | Henry Resources | Sarah Judge
Melissa & Martin McHale | Midland College | MRT Media Group | Randee & Jack Rathbone
Jordan & Karl Rundgren | Shelley & Chip Smith | Vandergriff Group Architects PC
Marcia & Herman Walker
The Drummer
Norma Gwyn Bauman | Suzie R. Boyd | Roxann Lujan | Lone Star Biogenetics
Meera Ramoutar & John Wagenman | Betty Tomlin | Claire & Jim Woodcock
The Groupie
Kara & David Bryant | Andrea Catania | Kitty & Bill Chalfant | Jennifer E. Cochran
Leslie Margaret Dean | Susannah & Briggs Donaldson | EOG Resources | Stephanie Feagan
Marianne Green | Amanda Golembieski | Barbara Holeva | Carla & Danny Holeva | Dee Kemp
Karen Lanier | Alice & Rob Leese | Gabe McClelland | Megan McGee | Midland College
Christine Newman & Holly Newman | Jan & Joe O’Neill | Elizabeth Prentice
Victoria Saxe | Violet & Mark Singh | Stephanie Rivas | Laurie Williams | Richard O. Williams
Jane Wolf
Underwriting
Silent Auction, Artist Hospitality, Joan Baskin Artist Award
Karmen & Bill Bryant
FUN Creation Station
Mary B. Kennedy
Juried Artist's Award
Solis Resources, Ltd.
Performance Stage
PBX
Visiting Artist Dinner
Jeffrey Hewett & Mary Beth Anton
In-Kind Sponsors
City of Midland
2026 Participating artists
updated May 19, 2026
First Place: Bonnie Griffin - Bronze, Los Lunas, NM
Second Place: Les Purcella - Metal, Roswell, NM
Third Place: Kim Shaklee - Sculpture, Brighton, CO
Honorable Mention: Connie Lee - Midland, TX
Joan Baskin Artists Award: Jim Baker - Sculpture, Medanales, NM
Peter Andrew - Paintings, Nacogdoches, TX
Jarred Bishop - Sculpture, Fernandina Beach, FL
Tabitha Bogard - Mixed Media, Dallas, TX
Erica Bonavida - Paintings, Chandler, OK
Kimberly Bowen - Painting, Parker, CO
Carolyn Bradford - Wood, N. Richland Hills, TX
Randall Case - Paintings, Dimmitt, TX
Joshua Chavez - Wood, Tome, NM
Amy Davis - Jewelry, Fort Worth, TX
Greg Davis - Photography, Fort Worth, TX
Isabella Deras - Jewelry, Austin, TX
Boz Droca - Paintings, Houston, TX
Theresa Fenn - Mixed Media, Goodyear, AZ
Katrina Gorman - Other, Pecos, TX
Phyllis Gunderson - Paintings, Pecos, NM
Neil Gunn - Paintings, El Paso, TX
M Hakima - Other, Flomaton, AL
Gary Hastings - Wood, Fredericksburg, TX
Andy Loftis - Drawing, Corsicana, TX
Janine MacDonald - Other, Midland, TX
William Mantor - Ceramics, Guthrie, OK
Jeremy Mitchell - Photography, Midland, TX
Brandon Moore - Mixed Media, Argyle, TX
Jennifer Pate - Other, Garland, TX
Marissa & Chris Pugh - Metal, Round Rock, TX
Dana & Karen Robbins - Glass, Moriarty, NM
Krystyna Robbins - Paintings, El Paso, TX
Jamie Rood - Other, Austin, TX
Cheryl Roush - Paintings, Midland, TX
Veronica & Gabriel Sandoval - Metal, Scottsdale, AZ
Bonnie Siebert - Paintings, Woodson, TX
Donny Spencer - Drawing, Weatherford, TX
Charlee Strunk - Wood, Fort Worth, TX
Andrew Taher - Wood, Tijeras, NM
Bruce Taylor - Mixed Media, Palmer, TX
Nancy Wilson - Jewelry, Austin, TX
Peter Wu - Paintings, Missouri City, TX