Artsfest Fast Facts

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Patriot-News Artsfest … Better than ever !

 

The Greater Harrisburg Arts Council is proud to host the 42nd annual Patriot-News Artsfest again this year! One of the great things about our successful city celebration is that there is truly something for everyone. All year we run into past patrons and they ask if a favorite artist is returning to the banks of the Susquehanna in Riverfront Park, if a favorite food vendor is going to set up shop, or if there will be hands on crafts for their kids to make. We are  

 

asked if their favorite musicians are returning to one of the many stages throughout the festival. Then there is always the annual film festival at Whitaker Center. Just visiting Harrisburg seems to be a draw in itself.....so, we invite you to enjoy all the aspects of our festival. Feel free to return each and every day of the 42nd Annual Patriot-News Artsfest, one of the ”Top 100 Art Events in the Nation” as rated by Sunshine Artist Magazine.

 

Your Favorite?.....

 

The Amazing Art

 

It is really quite fun putting all the components of Artsfest together. For many, the artists are their main concern… we understand people save all year to purchase art for their home or for that special birthday gift. It is no easy task to select the artists that bless us with their talents. Here at the Greater Harrisburg Arts Council, the first thing we have to do is get the artists to apply for exhibition space. With the word out about what a great arts festival we have here in Harrisburg, we were deluged with applications from artists and craftsmen across the United States. Artist applications are mailed in October of previous year. In January we hire expert jurors and they select the accepted artists from the thousands of slides submitted for entry into the Patriot-News Artsfest. This year’s jurors were Pam Cummings –Ceramic Artist from Harrisburg and Jeffrey S. Van Boskirk- Owner of Second Floor Gallery in Mechanicsburg, PA. The next thing we have to accomplish is to select the signature art to represent the festival. We work with our title sponsor… the terrific Patriot-News, to pick a piece of art from the thousands of submitted slides. This year’s logo art is one of John Hartungs playful painting of a pair of delightful wild birds which will be featured in all of Artsfest’s advertisements, volunteer tee shirts, billboards, artist postcards and festival guides.

 

The Wildly Creative Children’s Area?

 

The festival not only has one of the best artist markets in the country but it also includes a delightful children’s festival at the southern end of the Festival. And are they ever excited. Within the block long of activity there are games, artists, activities and loads of fun. The Children’s Stage will feature nonstop performances throughout the day. The Popcorn Hat Players are the hosts for the weekend and if you have never seen them in action, you are missing something wonderful….no age requirement here.  There’s a huge children’s activities area that gets the creative juices flowing… come on, play, laugh, create.

 

The Fabulous Food?

 

Even the most serious art critic has admitted they love the variety of delicious offerings for their dining Artsfest experience. With over 45 different food booths, most admit it is hard to decide what to narrow it down to quench that thirst or fill their tummy! Even our food vendors are hand selected by food menu, presentation and level of quality. We offer everything from ethnic gyros, to hot apple dumplings in two major food courts. Specialty treats are placed throughout the artist market for that in between snack. Take a risk this year and try something new- you know you will love it.

 

The Awesome Film Festival?

 

In its 10th year, the independent film festival is an enormous success. Held in conjunction with Artsfest hours at the Undergound at Whitaker Center… Filmfest is awesome. Check out the extensive lineup in the Festival guide. Todd Shill from Filmspeak.com and Caleb Smith from Moviate are once again hosting this annual event, dedicating themselves to the love of film and are responsible for creating Harrisburg’s own independent film festival that now has huge national recognition. Venture over to Whitaker Center at 3rd and Market Streets, it is quite a jewel, you won’t be sorry.

 

The Non Stop Free Entertainment?

 

We have it all.  From funk to jazz- it’s at this year’s Artsfest. Check out the extensive schedule. Three major stages are almost enough to be overwhelming, but if you pace yourself you can take in a lot in three days. The free musical entertainment is all run by Artsfest chairs from the community. We can never thank Steve Krempasky from Whitaker Center enough for arranging all of the performances that grace our stages of Artsfest. There are non stop hourly performances at the Kunkel Plaza Stage at Front and State Streets and The Walkin’ Bridge Stage between Walnut and Locust Streets under the shade trees of Riverfront Park. Our third stage is in Kidsfest. The Popcorn Hat Players are quite the hosts the all the free children’s entertainment on the stage within Kidsfest.  Please join Wednesday Club for recitals at the Art Association of Harrisburg across the street. Through the artist market, take a break to listen to your favorite artist market performers….once again FREE and superb all throughout the festival site.

 

Visit Harrisburg Camera Club at Artsfest
 

Celebrate 75 years of photography with the Harrisburg Camera Club.
During Artsfest, club members will be on-hand to provide information on
special club activities in celebration of its 75 years of providing interest and
education in photography. The club will provide a special exhibition of
black/white and color photographs from its members as well as free “mini-photo” programs including travelogues during Artsfest weekend.

 

Van Go! Returns to Artsfest

 

The Susquehanna Art Museum's VanGo! Museum on Wheels is thrilled to return to Riverfront Park at Artsfest.. The mission of VanGo! is to provide exposure to original works of art to students who otherwise lack such opportunities.  At the heart of this project is the belief that an art educational experience of quality should expose viewers to the primary source, rather than reproductions.  VanGo! will be open for visits throughout regular ArtsFest hours and will be located at Front and State Streets in front of the main Artsfest information booth.

 

New Onsite Mural by the BARAK Mural Arts Program

 

Grab a paint brush and be a part of a collective art project! During Artsfest weekend, BARAK, a community arts organization in Harrisburg, will welcome attendees to join professional muralist Brett Greiman and other local artists in creating a new mural which will reflect the spirit of the festival and the Central PA community. After the festival, the mural will be installed on a soon to be announced site in Harrisburg. The BARAK Mural Arts Program is a youth-centered arts education and community revitalization program that uses public art as a vehicle for social change, to enhance neighborhood identities, to strengthen economic development and tourism, to educate children and adults, and to enrich the spirit and pride of our citizens.

 

Artsfest has gone Green!

 

For the first time a volunteer committee has been formed from the community to recycle the trash at this year’s Artsfest! We are doing our part to help save the environment to ensure future Artsfests!

 

Our Breathtaking Location?

 

What a city!  What a beautiful place to see gorgeous art and hear beautiful music. Riverfront Park is such a wonderful place for an event of this magnitude. Some of you say you simply come for the glory of the river. Let us all thank our amazing Mayor Stephen R. Reed, the Harrisburg Police Department and dedicated staff at the Harrisburg Parks and Recreation Department, the board of the Greater Harrisburg Arts Council and the hundreds of dedicated volunteers who help us make all of this possible. This partnership is in essence describing the words teamwork and love of community. For whatever reason, don’t miss the excitement of Artsfest. We are proud to bring it to you year after year. 

 

Thank you,

Robert Stadnycki                                  Janet Reed

Executive Director                                 Visual Arts Chair

And the Greater Harrisburg Arts Council Board Members

 

 

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Copyright © 2007 · Greater Harrisburg Arts Council · 444 South Second Street · Harrisburg, PA 17104 · 717.238.5180