Every year (usually the first weekend in November) we host an art show for regional artists. It’s always a good time and we’ve been wowed by the turnouts and support from our amazing community! We do a call for artists in late summer, and we rely on donations from our truly generous local businesses to help make this event grand!

Originally, the yearly Art Show came in the form of the Sunflower Art Fest. It was a beloved event held at the Barn at Kill Creek Farm. This largely outdoor event drew artists from all over the area.

2022 marked our first annual Plein Air Event. (We won’t fault you if you have no idea what that is!) Plein Air (pronounced “plen air” OR “plain air”) is where artists make art on site out in the fresh air! This year we held the event during the Spring Fling hosted by Anabel’s Makers Market and in partnership with the De Soto Historical Society. The Historical Society identified six historical buildings around the downtown, and artists had 4 hours to paint or draw one of them.

As artists, we LOVE getting together to make art! Generally, the first Thursday evening of the month is our open studio night or special speaker/event, 7-9pm. For open studios, bring whatever we’re working on at the time. It’s a great time to get feedback (if you want it!) and to make time to work on your craft. We alternate months with high quality speakers and events!

Who doesn’t love a beautiful mural? We’ve already helped bring one mural downtown, and we’re working on more!

We’re committed to enhancing and connecting our community through the Arts. One way we’re doing that is by curating and installing public sculptures. We have an ongoing need for sculpture submissions. Please contact us for more information if you’re a sculpture artist.

Every first weekend in December, the De Soto City Hall hosts the Mayor's Christmas Tree Lighting. After the caroling and tree lighting, the Arts Council loves opening up our room as an art gallery. Oh, did we mention our Art Elves serve cookies, treats, and hot drinks?

These are what’s been done, but we have a few things on our wishlist that we would love to do soon! We’re visual-arts-heavy as a council right now (lots of photographers, painters, etc), but we’d LOVE to expand to musical and theater arts, to name a few.

We have future plans for plays, dinner theaters, musical jam sessions, concerts, and more…we just need some musicians and thespians to join to help bring these visions to life! (Trust me…you don’t want to hear most of us sing.) If you, or someone you know, has interest and/or skills in those areas, PLEASE send them our way!

You do NOT need to be a professional to fit in here! All levels are welcome and encouraged!