Downtown Winnsboro Bursts with Color for 4th Annual BLOOM!Downtown Winnsboro will blossom once again with the return of BLOOM, an immersive floral art experience that transforms spring into a vibrant celebration of creativity. Now in its fourth year, the colorful festival hosted by Winnsboro Center for the Arts (WCA) invites visitors to enjoy the artistry of the season from Saturday, April 11 through Saturday, April 25.Set against the charming backdrop of The Bowery in Winnsboro’s thriving Cultural District, BLOOM turns the town into a garden of artistic expression, the perfect place to plant yourself for a weekend and watch inspiration grow.Throughout April, BLOOM offers events designed to delight every sense:· BLOOM Art Exhibition: Featuring floral and spring-themed works by approximately 30 regional artists, the exhibition showcases still-life paintings, photography, sculpture and mixed media pieces capturing the season in full flourish. The WCA gallery is open Wednesday through Saturday during the festival; admission is FREE.· Art & Heritage Walks: These FREE guided Saturday morning walks (April 11, 18 and 25 at 10 a.m.) explore Winnsboro’s colorful history, from how the town earned its name to stories of Bonnie and Clyde, while highlighting its longstanding support of public art and local artists.· The Art of Chris Brown Art Walk: On Friday, April 24, from 5 – 8 p.m., guests can enjoy a FREE twilight stroll through downtown led by BLOOM creator/ local artist Chris Brown.· Live Concert: Grammy-nominated country singer-songwriter Lee Roy Parnell will perform Friday, April 18, at 7:30 p.m., bringing his signature blues-infused slide guitar to The Bowery stage. Ticket info will be on the website soon.· Interactive Public Sculpture: Created by Brown and commissioned by the WCA, a larger-than-life floral sculpture serves as the festival’s centerpiece, inviting visitors to gather, connect and capture springtime photos.Additional highlights include a weekly Saturday Farmers Market; the Winnsboro BLOOM Pickleball Tournament (April 17–19); and Viva Las Vegas, the April 11 opening-night artist reception.Founded in 2022 by Winnsboro artist Chris Brown, an East Texas native recognized as Best Floral Designer by D Magazine in 2003, BLOOM was created to unite art and nature in a shared seasonal celebration.“We are proud of our lively downtown and our reputation as a flourishing arts community,” said Mary White, executive director of WCA. “BLOOM brings us together to celebrate nature and artistry in ways everyone can enjoy.”WCA is supported in part by grants from the Texas Commission on the Arts, the National Endowment for the Arts, Wood County EDC, Winnsboro EDC and Christus Mother Frances Health Systems. Winnsboro’s Cultural District is recognized by Texas Commission on the Arts for its vibrant arts scene. Winnsboro is also recognized by the National Trust for Historic Preservation as an accredited member of Main Street America for its successful downtown revitalization. For updated schedules, artist announcements and ticket information, visit the BLOOM page on the WCA website. The Bowery is located at 200 Market St. in Downtown Winnsboro. All scheduled programs are subject to change.
