Word circulated early that Gary L. Williamson's paper sculptures was one of the must sees over the weekend at Art on the Greene - a booth full of life-like human facial contours that could serve as sure-fire conversational centerpieces of any abode.

"Gorgeous" was a description tossed around. Creepy was another. "It's like they won't stop looking at you," said one teenager, who literally dashed out of the booth.

That a young woman who found the mask creepy purchased one might say something about the lure of art, and specifically the lure of Arlington's first stab at staging a full-fledged arts festival.

Nestled snugly within Richard Greene Linear Park, with the Rangers Ballpark to the east and Cowboys Stadium to the west, Art on the Greene enjoyed good weather, live music, food, tons of art-loving patrons, and a feeling that the art festival circuit will now count Arlington as one of its pit stops.

The artists certainly thought so.

"What a great location," said Amy Taylor, who was born in Arlington and grew up drawing and painting in Allen. Her booth was full of oil, acrylic and watercolor paintings of things like, doorways. "I have a deep desire to find and share the beauty around me that others might miss," she said.

Artist Kay Groves moved to Arlington from Oklahoma City three years ago "so what a treat this is," she said. "To have a festival that looks this good right in my own backyard."

That was the idea, said Arlington Artist Steve Moya, who along with wife Janis organized the event that featured well over 70 artists so diverse few booths would mimic another.

Gary Anderson of Haltom City brought his handcrafted wooden jewelry boxes with removable lids, wood clocks, banks - you name it. He showed a photo of his workshop, inside a car garage with no car. "Haven't parked a car in there for, oh, 40 years," he said, his wife, Jan, laughing and nodding in the background.

Mora had envisioned this festival for years. "A sense of class" was a phrase he kept coming back to. "I wanted it to be about art," he added. "Next comes the overall look and feel."

A continuous array of bands, including the popular Mingo Fishtrap on Saturday, livened up the three-day festival. Food vendors kept the patrons nourished and hydrated.

Another big hit: Richard Greene Linear Park itself. Booths were set up along the paths that snaked along the Caelum Moor granite sculptures. There was enough room for people to sit at tables, on blankets and in lawn chairs to eat and enjoy the live music.

"It's a beautiful venue," said Williamson. "Great weather, great location, great art. Don't know if it can get much better than this."

Moya hopes it can - next year.

By Kenneth Perkins

View photos of the event