Colorful Covington

Three Rivers Art Festival draws thousands to see creative works and enjoy the atmosphere.

BY SARAH BONNETTE

THREE RIVERS ART FESTIVAL turns five blocks of downtown Covington into a kaleidoscope of colorful artwork.

Exhibited under rows of white tents lining Columbia Street, there is something for every art lover: from paintings and photography to metalwork and ceramics, as well as jewelry, three-dimensional wood sculptures and much more.

Each original piece comes from the 200 artists that will be scored by a panel of judges. While some of the artists call The Northshore home, others travel from 25 states to participate. Artists bring both larges cale artworks as well as smaller, more reasonably priced pieces for attendees who use the weekend to kick off their Christmas shopping.

Now known as one of the most popular juried art festivals in the Southeast region, it draws between 50,000 and 60,000 people to Covington over the course of the event’s two days.

“When people come, they never know what they are going to see,” says Sarada Bonnett, the festival’s coordinator.

Three Rivers got its start in 1997 after several Northshore organizations banded together to create a new festival focusing on the arts that also would bring economic development to downtown Covington’s businesses.

Festival-goers can see live art demonstrations that detail the process behind mediums such as printmaking or wood carving. In the food court, they can hear everything from folk to rock-and-roll at the live music tent while they try delicious fare from local food vendors. They can participate in hands-on art and STEM activities or see performances from local dance companies and entertainers in the children’s area. The festival also extends beyond the artists’ tents and the activity areas to the local galleries, businesses, and restaurants, which open up their doors to host special sales and events. Additionally, the student art competition at Heritage Bank showcases more than 400 works of art created by talented local youth, inspiring others to create their own masterpieces. Admission and parking are both free.

Now known as one of the most popular juried art festivals in the Southeast region, it draws between 50,000 and 60,000 people to Covington.