Courtesy of John Bramblitt
Audio By Carbonatix
As the Denton Arts & Jazz Festival prepares to celebrate its 34th year, Quakertown Park will again buzz with the sounds of jazz and come alive with the vibrancy of local artistry. While the festival’s musical performances often take center stage, the art vendors and creators who line the park’s pathways are the unsung heroes of this beloved event. Running October 3-5, the festival offers a chance to immerse yourself in the stories, creativity and passion of North Texas artists.
From a blind muralist redefining perception to a taxidermist turning insects into art, the festival is a showcase of the unexpected. Here’s a closer look at six artists whose booths you won’t want to miss.
John Bramblitt: Painting Without Sight
John Bramblitt’s art is a testament to resilience and creativity. Based in Denton, Bramblitt is the world’s first blind muralist, a title that reflects his groundbreaking approach to painting. After losing his sight in 2001, he developed a unique method using tactile lines and textured paints to differentiate colors.
“If I can navigate a city with a white cane, surely I can navigate a canvas,” he says.
Known for its bold use of color and emotional depth, Bramblitt’s work reflects his philosophy that “the more I paint, the happier I am.” At this year’s festival, he’ll be painting live, offering attendees a chance to witness his process firsthand.
Beyond his studio, Bramblitt’s impact is global. As a U.S. cultural ambassador, he’s traveled the world promoting inclusivity through art. Locally, he runs Yellow Dog Art Bar, an inclusive space named after his guide dog, where creativity thrives.
This year, Bramblitt will debut a new series featuring Texas animals in urban settings, blending nostalgia with humor and emotion.
Courtesy of Cicely Miller
Cicely Miller: Jazzy Art with a Purpose
North Texas-based artist Cicely Miller is this year’s featured artist, with her work gracing the festival’s promotional materials. Originally from New Orleans, Miller’s artistic journey began early, rooted in her upbringing in the city and later enriched by her experiences living in the Northwest.
Her work spans abstract pieces, cultural portraits and sports-themed art. At her booth, standout pieces include “Golf City,” which merges the Dallas skyline with elements of golf, and an array of musical pieces, each full of color, movement and texture.
“I don’t stick to one medium or style. I let my inspiration guide me,” she says.
Miller launched the Created to Create Arts and Technology Foundation, which introduces K-12 students to the intersection of art and technology.
For Miller, the Denton Arts & Jazz Festival is a space to connect with people who truly appreciate art.
“The people here are genuinely interested in the stories behind the work,” she says. “Art is about capturing life’s rhythm, and jazz is the perfect metaphor for that.”
Courtesy of Klaus Mayer
Klaus Mayer: Wildlife Through the Lens
For Klaus Mayer, photography is a lifelong passion rooted in patience and a deep respect for nature. Based in Westlake, Mayer’s journey began in his childhood in Germany, where his father introduced him to film photography.
Mayer’s work captures the raw beauty of wildlife, from the sweeping plains of Africa to the icy landscapes of Antarctica. At this year’s festival, he’ll debut “Scars of Survival,” a powerful portrait of a lion, and “New Rival,” a leopard captured in a moment of intensity.
“Sometimes you wait hours, even days, for that one second where everything aligns,” he says.
Courtesy of Holli Michener
Holli Michener: Whimsy with a Wink
Holli Michener, known as The Art Flirt, brings a fantastical touch to the festival. Based in Carrollton, her art celebrates individuality and the beauty of being different. Her creations often feature surreal elements like insects, fairies and flowers with unexpected twists, such as eyeballs.
“I want my work to celebrate the beauty of being peculiar,” she says.
Michener’s journey began in childhood, growing up in a creative family. After rebelling against traditional art methods in college, she embraced surrealism and bold colors, developing a style that reflects her love of fantasy and nature.
One of her most meaningful pieces, “Peepers,” depicts an owl skull adorned with cicada wings and a universe of stars in its eyes. At this year’s festival, Michener will debut new works from her Budding Perception series, featuring flowers with giant eyeballs, as well as a collection of teacup paintings that blend delicate florals with surreal elements.
Courtesy of Denton Festival
Foundation
Michael Lawson: Blacklight Dreams in Wood
Step into Michael Lawson’s booth, and you’re transported into a blacklight wonderland of layered wood art and dimensional paintings. As the creative force behind Atomic Wood Designs, Lawson has built a reputation for crafting pieces that are as immersive as they are striking. Based in East Dallas, his journey into art began during the pandemic, when he turned to creativity as a way to navigate uncertain times.
Today, Lawson’s work is a fusion of graphic design and woodworking, with a psychedelic twist. “I wanted to create an experience, not just art,” he says. His pieces are designed to captivate the senses, blending vibrant colors and intricate layers that come alive under blacklight.
His booth at the Denton Arts & Jazz Festival is a sensory adventure, complete with blacklights to showcase his work’s full effect. Be sure to check out “Daughter of the Sun,” a standout piece that embodies his love for art that “makes your brain melt.”
part of Pinned Ptera’s workshops, where kids and adults can learn to create their own entomological displays.
Preston Barta
Morgan Loftin: Art with a Side of Entomology
Denton-based artist Morgan Loftin, the creative force behind Pinned Ptera, transforms insects into stunning works of art. Her journey began with a childhood fascination for bugs, nurtured by the stillness of rural East Texas.
“I want the specimen to be art. But to get people to appreciate it, I need to empower them with knowledge,” she says.
At her booth, Loftin offers more than just art. She offers education. Visitors can learn about the habits and habitats of the insects on display, from cicadas to exotic beetles. One of her favorite creations was a custom lamp for a nursery, featuring a butterfly surrounded by native dried florals — a piece that captured the magic of nature and the joy of new beginnings.
For Loftin, the Denton Arts & Jazz Festival is pivotal. “It’s the most important event to me as a small business owner,” she says. “I prepare all year for this festival. It’s pivotal to our survival.”
The Denton Arts & Jazz Festival will be held at Quakertown Park and Facilities (321 E. McKinney, at the corner of McKinney and Bell) with hours spanning Friday, Oct. 3, from 3 to 11 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 4, from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.; and Sunday, Oct. 5, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
However, the festival faces new challenges, with funding cuts threatening its future. A fundraiser is underway to ensure the event continues to thrive. For many artists, like those featured here, the festival has been a vital platform to launch and sustain their careers.
