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First Saturday Arts Market Celebrates 22nd Anniversary on March 7, 2026 – Houston’s Original Monthly Outdoor Fine Art Event
HOUSTON – First Saturday Arts Market marks its 22nd anniversary on Saturday, March 7, 2026, with a special edition of Houston’s longest-running monthly outdoor fine art market. Held from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 540 W. 19th St., Houston, TX 77008, the free event continues to connect local artists directly with an enthusiastic public in the Historic Heights.
Finding and selling art by and as a local artist hasn’t always been as easy to find as it is today. Nearly year-round in the Houston area, any given weekend now features open studio events, art league shows, galleries spotlighting local talent, several well-known homegrown fine art festivals and a few traveling ones.
In 2004, that wasn’t the case, which led to the creation of a monthly outdoor art market where artists could meet an art-hungry public, share their passion for creating and send it home with them.
Today, First Saturday Arts Market has evolved from its arts-and-crafts roots into an artist-juried, fine art-leaning market. Open on the first Saturday of each month from September through May, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., a typical market hosts about 40 artists featuring popular mediums such as painting, jewelry, glass, fiber and wood arts, ceramics (from functional to conceptual), printmaking and photography.
The market is not only Houston’s first monthly art pop-up; it may also be one of the nation’s only ones of its kind, allowing participating artists to review and jury new applicants.
Artist, founder and market manager Mitch Cohen explained how he came to let artists pick who gets in and how that helped evolve the market.
“As a painter, I struggled with other mediums, especially jewelry,” Cohen said. “When participating jewelers complained, I said, ‘You do it—you review first and approve.’ They agreed, and I eventually expanded it to all new applicants. The market not only grew; the quality of all mediums and sales improved.”
Cohen continued: “While initially I was exhausted from reviewing applicants and setting up ways to share a jury process also has its challenges, the results were worth it. The quality of art, artists and shoppers improved gradually. What we do that may be even outside the norm of big juried fine art festivals is provide constructive critique for applicants so they can improve and have a better chance of joining us if they are not approved the first time. Rejections are hard, especially for artists. I get many thank-you letters, however, and I see many artists return and get into the market.”
The market continues its tradition following a well attended January event, with the annual Art Lovers Market set for Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 540 W. 19th St., Houston, TX 77008. This special edition welcomes art enthusiasts to browse original works, and celebrate the community that has sustained the event for 22 years. Admission is free, and all are invited to discover—or rediscover—Houston’s original monthly outdoor fine art experience, with the 22nd anniversary celebration following on March 7.
Participating artists are available for interviews to discuss their work, the market’s evolution, and what 22 years means to them. Contact Mitch Cohen to arrange.
About First Saturday Arts Market
Founded in March 2004, First Saturday Arts Market is Houston’s original monthly outdoor fine art market, running September through May on the first Saturday of each month from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 540 W. 19th St., Houston, TX 77008. The artist-juried event features 40+ visual artists showcasing original works in painting, sculpture, photography, jewelry, ceramics, glass, fiber, wood, and more, in a casual, community-oriented atmosphere with live music. Admission is always free. For more information, visit firstsaturdayartsmarket.com.
Connect With Us
- Website: firstsaturdayartsmarket.com
- Facebook: facebook.com/firstsaturdayartsmarket
- Instagram: instagram.com/1stsatartmarket
Photos (3 high-res JPEGs):
- FSAM_OverheadMarketScene_2026.jpg
Overhead view of First Saturday Arts Market in the Historic Heights, Houston, showing artists’ booths, original works on display, and shoppers enjoying the free monthly outdoor event. The market celebrates its 22nd anniversary on March 7, 2026. (Photo: Erik Kolflat) - FSAM_ShoppersStrolling_2026.jpg
Shoppers and families stroll through First Saturday Arts Market in the Historic Heights, Houston, browsing original artwork from local artists under sunny skies. The free monthly outdoor event celebrates its 22nd anniversary on March 7, 2026. (Photo: Natalie Shipula) - FSAM_MitchGroup_March2025.jpg
Mitch Cohen (second from left), founder and manager of First Saturday Arts Market, with Al Henson (left), Bette Channell, and Mike Spencer of the Heights Fools on Stools music group at the market in March 2025. The event celebrates its 22nd anniversary on March 7, 2026. (Photo: First Saturday Arts Market)
September – May Images
photo by Ana Guzman
