Arts & Culture

The culture of the Pineywoods goes back a thousand years--to the great Caddoan Indian civilization that flourished here centuries before the Europeans’ arrival in Texas. Today, Pineywoods arts and culture mix the down-home with the cutting edge--and testify to the region’s diverse mix of people and traditions.

Contemporary visual artists, writers, and performers are eager to share their talents with Pineywoods residents and visitors alike.
Charming Victorian-style residences and notable civic buildings grace Pineywoods towns and cities.
Pineywoods museums teach and entertain with exhibits ranging from contemporary fine arts to historical artifacts. And house museums provide a peek at bygone lifestyles.
What’s your passion? Pottery? Jewelry? Stained glass? In the Pineywoods, you’ll discover skilled artisans plying these crafts and many others--from leatherwork to basket-making.
Shops throughout the Pineywoods offer antiques-seekers a bonanza of old-time treasures.
Pineywoods towns celebrate deep cultural traditions and artistic innovations with annual extravaganzas.
Itineraries

Artisans, Architecture and Antiques

Today, Pineywoods arts and culture mix the down-home with the cutting edge--and testify to the region’s diverse mix of people and traditions.

Texas History Comes to Life

From “The Oldest Town in Texas” to the Pineywoods’ biggest city--the region's rich history abounds.

Get In Tune with Nature

A wealth of state parks, a national preserve and other sanctuaries offer a full menu of recreational options, from birding to boating.

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Arts & Culture Spotlight

The Artisans of Edom

The town of Edom--in Van Zandt County just a few miles west of the city Tyler--is miniscule. Though Edom was founded in 1849, its population has never topped 300. But size isn’t everything. Beginning in the 1960s, artisans attracted to the hamlet’s comfortably rustic ways and laid-back atmosphere began settling here. Now, Edom’s main drag--a stretch of FM 279--is loaded with shops purveying one-of-a-kind wares by local potters, jewelry makers, glassmakers, and more. Why, there’s even a gourmet food shop. And every October, Edom welcomes scores of artists and craftspeople from all over Texas and beyond to the Edom Festival of the Arts.

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