The 40th annual Rockport Art Festival is coming to the coastal town on the July 4 weekend.

More than 120 exhibiting artists from around the nation have been selected by the Rockport Center for the Arts to showcase their wares.

All 15 art galleries in Rockport will be open for the holiday weekend.

In addition to weekend festival activities, an Art Auction Gala themed “Coastin’ in to 40” will take place in the main air-conditioned tent on the festival grounds complete with buffet dinner, open bar, live entertainment and valet parking.

A live auction includes paintings from Rockport poster artists, a big board auction offers fishing trips and unique luncheon packages, and silent auction offers items from dozens of respected coastal artists, including painted deck chairs.

Lisa Baer, renowned local painter with a vibrant contemporary style, created this year’s collectible festival poster and the original will be auctioned off as the last item in the live auction.

Tickets start at $100 per person and tables of eight start at $800 up to reserved tables of ten up to $1,500.

Who benefits from art festival?

As one of only two fundraisers for the Rockport Center for the Arts, the Art Festival and Art Festival Auction and Dinner benefit many community programs including free admission for visitors to the center’s three galleries and the operation of Art Link, a free summer art camp program for Aransas County students in grades one through eight.

The 40th annual Rockport Art Festival is made possible through benefactors including American Bank Trust and Asset Management, First Victoria National Bank, H-E-B, M&M Medical Spa & Surgical Clinic, NavyArmy Federal Credit Union and Prosperity Bank.

About the Rockport Center for the Arts

A nonprofit organization, the Rockport Center for the Arts is dedicated to providing an environment that nurtures the expressing and appreciation of art for residents and tourists alike.

For more information, call (361) 729-5519 or visit www.rockportartcenter.com.

The city of Rockport is famous for its art colony of more than 800 artists, has been identified as one of “The 100 Best Small Art Towns in America: Discover Creative Communities” by John Villani and listed as one of the top five creative coastal havens in Coastal Living (April 2008).