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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, this year at Open Stage Theater. 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 45th Annual Patriot-News
Artsfest, one of the ”Top 100 Art Events in the Nation.”
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 jurors select the accepted
artists from the thousands of images submitted for entry into
the Patriot-News Artsfest.. 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 hundreds of
accepted artists. This year’s logo art is one of Lorri
Honeycutt's playful digital photographs of a pair artists
painting the inside of a beauitiful day lily 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 13th year, the
independent film festival is an enormous success. Filmfest is
held in conjunction with the Artsfest hours at nearby Open
Stage in the Walnut Street Parking Garage. The theater is
located on the street level of the Walnut Street parking
garage between 3rd and 2nd Streets. Check out the extensive
lineup in the Festival guide. Moviate is 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 Open Stage at 223 Walnut 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 Stage
on Herr enough for arranging all of the performances that
grace our stages of Artsfest. There are non stop hourly
performances at the Stage on Herr Kunkel Plaza Stage at Front
and State Streets and the Stage on Herr at Walnut, located
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
throughout the festival site.
Visit
Harrisburg Camera Club at Artsfest
Celebrate over 75 years of
photography with the Harrisburg Camera Club at their Artsfest
booth at Front and Locust. During Artsfest, club members will
be on-hand to provide information on special club activities
in celebration of over 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 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 the City of Harrisburg 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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