Festival planning full speed ahead
Jennifer Bowman mural on South Commercial
Summertime Arts in Anacortes
expanding community partnerships

We will complete the installation of South Commercial Ave murals later this month. Look for the seven colorful murals  placed south of 12th Street on Commercial Ave.   Participating artists include Jennifer Bowman, Kathleen Faulkner, Jessica Lynch, Ann Chadwick Reid, Cathy Schoenberg, Carla Seaton and Craig Weakley.

If you haven't already done so, visit the new Sculpture Exhibition by Windermere at the Depot Art Center, coordinated by the Anacortes Arts Commission.   A dozen pieces by regional artists are placed in the Madrona Grove and around Depot grounds.

Finally, during June, July and September  First Friday Gallery walks, downtown streets will be closed from 6 - 9pm to create a more festive atmosphere friendly to pedestrian traffic.   There will be music and art-related activities.
Kids enjoying color during the Color Run
Spring Fest Recap
Festival secures education funding

An Arty Party, Fine Art Show, Two-Day Festival and Color Run - it was a big undertaking and other than Mother Nature attempting to dampen some spirits, it was an amazing 10 days of celebrating art and creativity in our community.  
The events raised enough money to fund the Cultural Education Program for the School District and proceeds from the Color Run will benefit future public art purchases. Watch for dates for next year's Spring Fest events.
PIANO-cortes 
popular community program continues

In 2016 we introduced PIANO-cortes, that paired artists with donated pianos. Pianos were painted before and during the Festival and then placed downtown for the month of August for public use.   We have three pianos waiting, and are looking for a several artists who would like the fun challenge of decorating them. Work can be done ahead, and there is a small stipend - plus we will move and store them.  If you are interested in this creative project, please contact Rita James 293-6211, or email pr@anacortesartsfestival.com.
Geralyn Curtis (left) takes over volunteer management
New Volunteer Coordinator
...and new team leader

We are pleased to introduce Geralyn Curtis as our new Volunteer Coordinator.  Geralyn has been a volunteer team leader for years, and is excited to expand her Festival role to lead our large volunteer force.

Finally, a thank you to Laura Hamilton who committed years to organizing docents for our fine art show.  As Laura retires from that position, we welcome Claudia Buckner who will be stepping in.

Our next volunteer opportunity will be organizing a craft project for kids at the Waterfront Festival on June 3. Please call the office (293-6211) if you are interested in donating a few hours to this fun community project.   Stay tuned for our upcoming Festival volunteer listings ....  

Hannah Alex-Glasser
Allen Family Focus Gallery
a showcase of Orcas Island artists 

We are honored to feature the work of three very talented artists in our August Arts at the Port Allen Family Focus Gallery.   Kandis Susol, Susan Singleton and Hannah Alex-Glasser will combine individual work around the theme "Resonance".  Susol works in handmade paper layered with encaustic finish, Singleton combines mixed media, photography and paper, and Alex-Glasser works in clay to create organic forms.   The three have previously collaborated, and are excited to create a new site-specific installation to grace the Port warehouse space.  Arts at the Port opens on July 29 and runs through Festival weekend.

Focus Gallery Info
Artist Thanks
Anacortes artists supported education 

We want to thank all the artists who participated in our April Artists for Education program.  They created 5x7 and 3x4 canvases that were sold during Arty Party and Spring Fest.   In all we had over 100 mini-masterpieces and raised hundreds of dollars that helped us meet our goal of funding the Cultural Arts Education Program for the Anacortes School District for another year.   Thank you artists!!
Anacortes Arts Festival | 505 O Ave, Anacortes |360-293-6211

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