Downtown Wichita Falls came alive April 2 as hundreds of art enthusiasts turned out for the first 2026 After-Hours Art Walk, marking its debut under new management with a renewed focus on art and handmade crafts.

Artists, makers, food trucks and specialty vendors lined the streets to showcase their work and participate in one of the city’s most popular events.

Prominently located along Indiana Avenue, Artists Alley featured makers selling crochet, fan art, fine art, jewelry and other crafts.

Blacksmith Michael Tucker drew a crowd with his live demonstration of metalworking. Musicians played near the entrances and throughout the event.

Food trucks were primarily parked along 8th Street, and vendors selling everything from rattlesnake jerky to ubiquitous 3D-printed dragons filled the perimeter.

The farmers market building housed more vendors, including a very popular flower bar where bouquets were custom-made on the spot.

Crew members in bright yellow shirts were seen everywhere, picking up trash and keeping things clean.

Local artist Tanya Johnson, who has participated in past art walks, was thrilled with the changes.

“I am tickled pink and so glad they adjusted the way they were doing things. It’s much more organized, so much easier,” Johnson said. “It had gotten out of hand, but it’s so much better – more controlled and not just mobs of people walking by and taking your stuff. We have police officers, and the streets are closed off, so the customers are well protected from getting hit by a car.”

Johnson’s booth was filled with hand-painted hats, wood signs and other decorative items.

Fine arts senior Jessica Zimny was invited to be a featured artist in the Art Zone, a curated area on Indiana Avenue sponsored by the Wichita Falls Alliance for Arts and Culture. She said selling at the art walk is a good opportunity to be part of the community.

“I’m glad they are able to make spaces for not just MSU students but all artists,” Zimny said. “We have our own events at MSU as well, but [our professors] are always telling us that this is a good way to go out and meet other people outside of the school, professionally.”

Zimny was offering a variety of prints she had made.

MSU employee and painter Christina Fisher was selling fan art and hoped to have prints made for the next sale. She also approved of the changes.

“I like it,” Fisher said. “I feel like it’s more structured and more compact, so all of the artists will actually get seen because it’s all in a specific location. I can see an ambulance over there, I see officers walking by patrolling, and I also feel like it’s safer.”

Wichita Falls resident and fan of the art walk Kim Troupe was happy the event was saved.

“I love the way it’s set up — it’s so organized. I love how safe we feel walking in the middle of the roads,” Troupe said. “I think the new layout is really good.” Troupe’s husband was carrying a stack of canvases. She indicated the pile and said, “We come for the art, and we leave with so much art!”

Many believed the event would be canceled when Downtown Wichita Falls Development announced in January that it would not produce the event in 2026 because of safety concerns and a lack of funding. Local officials and community members rallied to save the beloved event.

In March, Potencia Projects, a nonprofit Wichita Falls-based organization dedicated to highlighting Latin art and culture, was contracted by the city to manage the art walk. It will receive funding from the 4B tax fund, and the event now has increased safety, with police and medical professionals on-site. Streets will be blocked to traffic during the event.

The After-Hours Art Walk will be held the first Thursday of each month (except July) from 5:30 to 9 p.m., April through October, centered around Indiana Avenue between 7th and 8th streets.

Attending the After-Hours Art Walk is free. Artists and vendors are charged a small fee to participate, with priority given to artists and makers of handmade items.

All vendors must apply to participate and reserve their location before the event. Anyone interested in having a booth at the next event on May 7 can find more information at artwalkwf.com.