LEAF returns with stronger focus on art; free event March 28-30

A large snail sculpture served as the flagship art piece for the 2023 Llano Earth Art Festival. The 2025 festival was initially canceled, but organizers have rallied to bring it back. Spearheading the effort is artist Joaquin Cortez, who shaped the snail and many of the iconic pieces from past festivals. Staff photo by Dakota Morrissiey
The previously canceled Llano Earth Art Festival, better known as LEAF, has been reincarnated as an artists reunion and exhibition in 2025. Organizers announced the event’s end in November 2024, but a swell of support from artists and longtime supporters brought it back to life.
This year’s LEAF is March 28-30 in Grenwelge Park, 199 E. Haynie St. in Llano. It is free and open to the public.
Organizers announced plans for the LEAF reunion Jan. 26. The revamped festival will have fewer vendors and activities and a stronger focus on the artists and supporters who have been nurturing the event since it began in 2015.
“Renowned land artists from around the globe converge each spring on the banks of the Llano River to create a must-see display of earth art that is awe-inspiring,” reads a Jan. 26 Facebook post from LEAF leaders. “This year will focus on the earth art and the World Rock Stacking Championships, and although we won’t have live music or workshops, we’re still gathering at Grenwelge Park in Llano, Texas, on March 28, 29, and 30 to celebrate the spirit of LEAF through earth art and community.”
The Llano Earth Art Festival features works of art made from natural materials such as the stone, sand, dirt, driftwood, reeds, and vines found along the banks of the Llano River at Grenwelge Park. It has been held in conjunction with the World Rock Stacking Championships since its creation and draws a large, international audience.
The 2025 event had been canceled due to a lack of funding, organization, and volunteers, according to the festival’s founder, Binky Morgan, but circumstances have recently changed.
“After we (announced LEAF was canceled), people were like, ‘No, we can’t let this die’,” she told DailyTrib.com.
Stephenville-based veteran earth artist Joaquin Cortez, who has participated in LEAF since the beginning, took it upon himself to reorganize the festival as a reunion with the blessings of Morgan and the rest of the event committee. He has received commitments from other artists to, at the very least, come to Llano and produce art at Grenwelge Park.
“My passion is the art, so if we can create the art and get the artists, then we can have an art exhibition,” Cortez said. “Lots of people have already bought their plane tickets.”
The exact nature of the LEAF reunion is still being worked out, but art and community will be a major part of it, according to Cortez. The festival might need further permission from the city of Llano if it grows beyond a gathering of artists, but organizers are willing to do what is needed to make it happen.
“LEAF has already reached out to the city for exclusive use of the park,” Llano Alderwoman Laura Almond said.
She indicated organizers might need to acquire an event permit if they intend to close down any streets or use portable restrooms, as they have done in years past.
Cortez hopes to continue LEAF beyond 2025 and continue generating opportunities for earth art in Llano.
One of the most prominent features at Grenwelge Park is a large deer head carved into a tree, courtesy of the artist.
“When I was carving the deer head, people would stop me all day long and give me encouragement,” he said. “I’ve always felt welcome.”
LEAF is holding a GoFundMe fundraiser to support lodging, travel, and food for artists and additional event expenses. Many of the artists come from outside of Texas, including other countries, and spend days working on the pieces featured at the festival. The art exhibition, as it stands, will be free and open to the public.
“I’d just like to say, most of all, thank you to Llano for supporting this unique land art exhibition and in helping celebrate the love of art and nature combined,” Cortez wrote in a statement to DailyTrib.com. “Llano’s geology is a true treasure, and it’s a real honor for the opportunity to create here each spring.”