Art Worth Festival 2026

Managing Director of the Rittenhouse Square Fine Art Show

 Christopher Buonomo is both a nationally renowned artist, and Managing Director of the Rittenhouse Square Fine Art Show.  Chris believes that, “Art is not only about the finished product, in my mind the journey towards completion of a specific piece is equally as satisfying. Often when I look back at something that I have made I think about the enjoyment that I felt as I was creating it.”

Chris lived in Prague for several years; an experience to which he attributes an “understanding of how important craft and technique are to the overall aesthetic. Seeing chisel marks on a stone or piece of timber from several hundred years ago was awe inspiring.” He feels that everything that an artist creates should feel like an extension of themself, “I feel an affinity with each and every sculpture, drawing, and painting that I create.”

As a Philadelphia resident, today Chis maintains the long-held traditions of one of America’s leading art experiences, the Rittenhouse Square Fine Art Show; now celebrating its 99th year, Rittenhouse Square is the oldest outdoor art festival in the nation. The exhibitions were launched in 1928 by students at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, who were inspired by the street art exhibits they encountered in Paris. These young artists were determined to mount such a show in Philadelphia, and with support from other area art schools, petitioned Governmental and Cultural authorities for permission to hang an art show in “the heart of the city – Rittenhouse Square.” 

Just as in 1928, the show’s staff and board are completely comprised of artists, and patrons encounter a diverse display of genres and styles, from “the most modern of the modernists to the most conservative of the conservatists.” Today’s visitors can still experience the infectious energy displayed by the event’s participating students, who continue to be the creative pulse of the Show.  Twice each year, Rittenhouse Square’s inspiring exhibitions of original art, chosen from among some of the finest talent in the country, and under Chris’s guidance maintains the tradition of – and standard for – artistic excellence in the City of Brotherly Love.

Celebrated Artist

Recently retired from the world of art festivals, Amy has been an artist since she first picked up a crayon in her chubby little fist—and her mother, were she still with us, would happily inform you that she always stayed within the lines. She received a BS in illustration from San Jose State in 1982, convinced that she would be a Caldecott Award-winning illustrator. Instead, she went to work for Hallmark, Current, American Greetings, and several children’s book publishers and gift manufacturers. But she always felt happiest working with her hands, trying a dizzying variety of art and craft mediums until she either mastered them or grew bored.

In 2008, while still freelancing as an illustrator, the economy tanked and she started creating the work that would define her—Fobots, short for Found Object Robots--and she discovered that she was far happier making robots than she had ever been as an illustrator. She and her ever supportive husband Phil traveled to shows for 16 years before retiring in 2025. 

PS—she no longer colors within the lines. 

This year, Amy is serving as juror and prize judge for the prestigious Saint Louis Art Fair, as well as taking on a position on the jury for Fort Worth’s Art Worth Festival. “We are tremendously honored to have an artist of Amy’s stature and experience on our jury,” said show director, Greg Belz. “And, note: although Amy has retired from exhibiting at art festivals, she hasn’t stopped creating;” her whimsical FoBots may still be collected vis her website: <https://fobots.bigcartel.com/> 

 Associate Director of the 

Saint Louis Art Fair

Megan oversees operations for one of the nation’s premier outdoor art festivals. With more than a decade of experience in event production, logistics, and large-scale festival management, she is passionate about creating engaging, high-quality experiences that connect artists and communities.

Originally from West Palm Beach, Florida, Megan earned a degree in Resort and Hospitality Management with a concentration in Event Management from Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers. She began her career in the art festival industry with ArtFest Fort Myers, where she spent eight years developing a deep appreciation for outdoor festivals and the important role they play in supporting artists and fostering community engagement.

In 2024, Megan joined the Saint Louis Art Fair as Associate Director. In her current role, she is dedicated to enhancing the experience for artists, patrons, sponsors, and community partners alike while helping the fair continue to thrive as a cornerstone cultural event in the St. Louis region. 

The Saint Louis Art Fair is an annual celebration of the visual and performing arts featuring renowned artists from across North America and abroad. Proud to be part of the vibrant St. Louis arts community, Megan remains committed to supporting the arts through thoughtful event leadership and collaboration.

Fort Worth Artist & Gallery Owner 

Pam is predominantly a ceramic artist who makes wheel thrown vessels, handmade tiles and tile mosaics using a variety of methods.  Her original designs have evolved over forty years as a full-time artist. I continue to explore new glaze techniques, form and color. She attended the Pretoria Art School at the College for Advanced Technology in Pretoria South Africa and The University of Texas at Arlington where she focused on ceramics and sculpture.  After returning to Texas, Pam became a full-time ceramic artist selling as well as exhibiting her ceramics throughout the Southwest. She also started teaching throwing and Raku firing workshops. In time Pam developed a strong signature technique for her contemporary ceramics.  Most of her vessels are thrown on the potter’s wheel. Famous for her Crystalline glazes, Pam uses white percaline clay and zinc-based glazes. She actually grow crystals in my glazes using ridiculously complicated firing schedules.  Pam has also created several outdoor ceramic mosaic murals in Fort Worth, Texas; the latest of which involved creating 12 panels for the Iron Horse Station for TexRail at the North Richland Hill Station, installed March of 2022.  She has also designed and installed a 233’ recycled glass tile mosaic reflecting the natural prairie grasses and flowers native to Grand Prairie Texas, a public art project for the City of Grand Prairie, funded in part by the National Endowment for the Arts. 

 Pam and her late husband, glass artist Raymond Rains, and their dog Barney Summers  founded Cliff House Studio and Gallery in Fort Worth, Texas.

Fort Worth Volunteer

 Thomas is probably acquainted with more festival artists than anyone in Fort Worth: he has been volunteering at the MainStreet Arts Festival for years; fifteen years ago, he joined the Event Management Team, in Artist Resources, and personally takes care of 31 artists each year; “helping them load-in and out, making sure they follow the show’s rules, and putting out fires.” Thomas has been kind enough to lend the fruits of his experience to the Art Worth Festival, and since its inception, has served as an integral volunteer member of festival’s staff. 

Thomas also volunteers with The Parade of Lights, managing the parade’s balloon features for the past six-years; he also participates in numerous other volunteer activities outside the arts, but art festivals have given Thomas the opportunity to garner extensive knowledges about the genre and the artists who make it special. Thomas describes himself as, “an art club kind of guy with an eye for art, and photography.” That well developed eye, and his native’s appreciation for what Fort Worth likes, make Thomas an especially valuable addition to our jury for 2026. 

The Art Worth Festival provides the public with a unique opportunity for interaction with art and artists, and to become more educated about both the visual and performing arts. 

While the event naturally draws the traditional arts audience, one of the principal objectives for this event has been to develop a broader audience for the arts and appreciation for excellence in the visual and performing arts.