Studio Texas to Host Exclusive Art Experience Tour During Round Top Plein Air Festival

Studio Texas will open the doors to some of Fayette County’s most inspiring creative spaces during the 2026 Art Experience, an exclusive, small group studio tour taking place Friday, April 24. Limited to just 20 guests, the event offers an intimate, behind the scenes look at two working studios, a private art collection, and a sunset dinner at Blackburn Farm catered by Royer’s Café.

“The Art Experience,” presented as part of the annual Rolling Hills of Round Top Plein Air Festival, invites participants to step directly into the creative worlds of celebrated local artists. Guests will see where the work is made, meet the artists personally, and follow the journey of a piece from concept to gallery ready.

Inside Two Distinctive Artist Studios

The tour features visits to the studios of Judy Elias Hill and Kathy Griffith, two well known artists whose work appears in collections across Texas and beyond.

The afternoon begins at 1:30 p.m. at Blackburn Farm, where guests will board chauffeured transportation. The first stop is the light filled studio of Judy Elias Hill, where Prosecco and cookies await. Known for her plein air and studio work, Hill is a skilled draftsperson whose paintings draw inspiration from the historic architecture of the region — including the Sarrazin Store, the Zapp Building, and the Kubena House. Her work has been exhibited from the Carolinas to Texas and is held in both private and corporate collections nationwide.

The tour then continues to the Fayetteville studio of Kathy Griffith, offering visitors a rare look inside a working pottery studio. Griffith’s pieces range from wheel thrown forms to intricate slab built works, often layered with delicate textures — even on the undersides. Her process reveals how raw clay becomes stoneware that is both functional and visually striking.

These studios are not typically open to the public, making the event a rare opportunity for collectors and art enthusiasts to explore the creative landscape of rural Texas.

A Private Collection and Dinner at Blackburn Farm The experience concludes back at Blackburn Farm, where guests will enjoy a private tour of the Blackburn family’s art collection — an impressive selection of paintings, sculpture, and furniture reflecting the spirit of Western art. Weather permitting, the evening ends with an al fresco dinner overlooking rolling hills, live oaks, lakes, and rustic bridges — a quintessential Texas sunset setting.

Part of a Full Festival Weekend As part of the Rolling Hills of Round Top Plein Air Festival, an Art Experience ticket includes Friday’s studio tours and dinner, VIP lounge access during Saturday’s Quick Draw, and admission to the Awards Ceremony and Opening Reception. It is one of the most comprehensive and exclusive ticket packages offered during the festival.

The plein air competition itself brings 11 artists from across the region, painting Wednesday through Friday throughout Round Top and Fayetteville. Visitors may spot them along roadsides, in town squares, and at local landmarks as they capture the area’s beloved scenery.

On Saturday morning, artists gather around Round Top Square and Henkel Square for the fast paced Quick Draw Competition. The afternoon features the Blue Ribbon Sneak Peek, where only ten ticket holders may preview and purchase artwork before winners are announced, followed by the VIP Awards Reception and the opening of the Wet Gallery to the public at 3:30 p.m. Ticketed guests will enjoy wine and refreshments at The Compound.

Festival Schedule at a Glance • April 22-24, Artists free

paint

•April 24, 1:30-8 p.m., The Art Experience, Blackburn Farm

•April 25, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m., Quick Draw Competition, Downtown Round Top

• April 25, 12:30-1:30 p.m., Blue Ribbon Sneak Peek, The Compound

• April 25, 1:30-3:30 p.m., VIP Awards Reception, The Compound

• April 25, 3:30-6 p.m., Wet Gallery open to the public, The Compound

• April 26, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., Wet Gallery open to the public, The Compound Hosted by Studio Texas, a Round Top–based 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the Art Experience and plein air festival aim to celebrate the region’s artistic heritage while offering visitors unparalleled access to the creative process.

Tickets and registration are available at studiotexas. org/full-calendar. For more information, email info@studiotexas. org.