Coppell-based Fred Gardner is a visual and performing artist and the featured artist of ARTFEST 2008. He is a founding member of The Afro American Players, Inc., which is the oldest Black Theatre Company in Texas, established on the campus of the University of Texas at Austin during the Civil Rights Movement. His thespian involvement in theatre, as an actor and set designer during his undergraduate years rekindled his love for wood. His travels on stages around the world as an accomplished actor developed a love of people that he skillfully scrolls with a saw in his visual art medium he simply calls CUTZ. The process begins with a sketch, which he cuts out of wood, paints with vivid colors, mounts and then displays. It is a unique, rare and intensive format which culminates into a story of ‘fine art ensconced in wood.’ He has won Best of Show Twice at The Lakewood Summer Arts Faire in 2004 and 2005. He also won Best of Show at Dallas City Arts in 2007 and is this year’s featured artist for Marshall Motors. He owns a theatre in Richardson with his wife, a writer/producer. They have a son and one grandson. Fred is available for a television interview about art, his life background or to create a piece and display and explain his artistic process. Now in its 39th year, The 500, Inc. brings back ARTFEST over Memorial Weekend from May 23 -25 to its original roots at Fair Park, the perfect marriage of art, entertainment and culture. As one of the premier fine art shows in the nation and entertaining close to 20,000 guests, ARTFEST 2008, presented by Time-Warner Cable and CBS 11/TXA 21, is a juried event bringing together over 200 artists displaying, demonstrating, and selling their one-of-a-kind creations. Proceeds of the event benefit The 500, Inc., a volunteer organization that has supported over 35 local arts organizations over the past 40 years. Traditions continue with live bands, a Cultural Arts Stage featuring performing artists, and ARTFEST for Kids, presented by Tom Thumb, with free activities including the classic “Box City” in which children design and build a town with boxes that they decorate. Festival food favorites, such as funnel cakes, corndogs and cotton candy, will be available to purchase. In addition to Saturday and Sunday events, ARTFEST visitors can toast the weekend with a very special Wine Stroll Preview Party on Friday evening, which includes an art preview, “meet and greet” with the artists, a weekend pass to ARTFEST, complimentary wine and hors d’oeuvres. ARTFEST 2008 will be held at Fair Park (3809 Grand Avenue) over Memorial Weekend, May 23rd – 25th. The Wine Stroll Preview Party, $20 per person, is on Friday, May 23 from 6pm – 9pm. Advance discount tickets for the Wine Stroll can be purchased at Tom Thumb for $15 beginning May 5th. The main event will be held from 10am – 7pm on Saturday, May 24 and from 10am – 6pm on Sunday, May 25. General admission is $6 per day for adults; children under 6 are free. Advance discount tickets can be purchased at Tom Thumb for $5 beginning May 5. Parking is complimentary on Washington Avenue. For more information, visit www.artfest500.com or call 214.565.0200.