In anticipation of the Austin ArtWorks Festival on Aug. 26 and 27, I humbly submit my top 10 2017 Austin ArtWorks Festival experiences for your consideration. We hope to see you there.

10. Volunteer: Help is needed to host over 7,000 visitors to the heart of downtown Austin. Roles include behind-the-scenes set up and extrovert’s delight – greeting visitors. No special skills needed, volunteer T-shirt and training provided. Contact Kelsey Ritchie at 1-507-434-0934 to sign up.

9. Lead the applause for your favorite band at the outdoor stage. Acts include Big Mike featuring Retro Soul and the Westside Horns, Porchlights, Austin Big Band, Diversity Showcase organized by the African Asian Refugee Services Agency, Galactic Cowboy Orchestra, Ripdoozers and Cosmic.

8. Celebrate early at an ArtWorks Week event including No One Will Marry a Princess with a Tree Growing Out of Her Head! by Matchbox Children’s Theatre, Nature Art Show and Natural Community Talent Show at Jay C. Hormel Nature Center, Jack & Kitty at Hormel Historic Home Peace Garden, Author Meet & Greet: Gail Kittleson at Sweet Reads, $5 Wednesday Movie: Almost Famous, Gallery Opening by Shelley Aquino Brandon and Matthew Rucker at ArtWorks Center and Alley Concert with Fat Rudy at Dusty’s Bar & Lounge. Details at austinareaarts.org/artworks-festival-schedule/

7. Get an autographed copy of a book by your favorite author at the author’s stage, held at Sweet Reads, featuring Sammi Jones, Chris Norbury, Sandra Weinrib Stanfield, Julie Seedorf, Mary McCarthy, Eileen Evans, Judi Bergen, Ricki Walters and Lydia Emma Niebuhr.

6. Appreciate the process by viewing art demonstrations including painting by James Wegner, glass blowing by Peter Waldman, African hair braiding and African seed bead sculpture courtesy of the African Asian Refugee Services Agency, mosaic by Patrick Hansel and pottery by John Sullivan.

5. Enjoy  “Crickets “ two ways: See Featured Artist Tom Hormel’s original print  “Hootenanny to Shoot Crickets “ and 24 other works at the Paramount Annex (former Park and Rec) gallery and then view the Canstruction version of  “Hootenanny to Shoot Crickets “ at the Spam Museum, constructed entirely out of cans of Spam.

4. Marvel at generations of talent at Festival’s two indoor acoustic stages at the Paramount Annex and ArtWorks Center second floor. Family acts include Lawhead Duo, Cedar River Strings, Cousins’ Quartet and Stringendo plus Ecumenical Bells, Trio Sen Nome, Con Fuoco and Reminisce.

3. Take the family to see Artrageous, the interactive art and music speed-painting experience presented by Mayo Clinic Health System Albert Lea Austin on Saturday, Aug. 26 at the Historic Paramount Theatre. Bubble wrap stomping may be involved. Due to Mayo’s sponsorship, tickets are $14 adult, $7 12 and under in advance; available online or at the ArtWorks Center.

2. Stroll the exhibiting artists tents and find a treasure to take home. Fifty-six artists from 10 states and one foreign country will display and sell artwork in ceramics, drawing, glass, jewelry, mixed media, painting, photography, sculpture, textiles and wood. More art is available to view and purchase at the ArtWorks Center including Trunk Shows by Dave Snyder and Gary Blom. Keep your eye out for artists strolling the grounds including impromptu dramas by the Pallet Players and Chicks on Sticks Stilt Walkers.

1. Make your own art at the Family Arts area which will feature pinata making, origami and Brush the VW Beetle. Artists age 10 and over can register to Design Your Own Skateboard Deck artist and member of the Sharpie Squad Mark Rivard. Rivard creates custom art on skateboard decks for display and for use by skaters. With grant funds, Festival is bringing Mark to Austin to give a class for just $10. (Materials alone are a $60 value and the instruction is a $40 value.) Registration is required online or at the ArtWorks Center. Participants will receive one skateboard (deck only, not full skateboard), Sharpies and a custom Rivard Art skateboard drawing template.