One month and counting
Bert Adams will showcase Sand Sculpting
Working Studios
Sand castles on steriods

Following last years popular Steamroller Block Printing project, sand sculpting will be this years Working Studios WOW.  Bert Adams, founder of Sand in the City is the featured artist.  Bert has organized more sand sculpting competitions than anyone else in the world.  Watch his artistry come to life in a larger-than-life way.  He is joined in the area by an amazing group of artists who demonstrate a range of traditional, contemporary and folk art forms - many of whom are nationally recognized masters of their craft.

Digital art by Carlos Roques
NEW Emerging Artists
High School & College fine art focus

A new Emerging Artists Exhibition will replace the youth art show at Arts at the Port this year.   It features the artwork of four invited high school and college students, who are interested in pursuing art professionally. Look for ceramic sculpture, digital painting, CD prints, and mixed media work.
     Emerging Artists
Art Dash 
Come for the run, stay for the fun

The 12th annual Art Dash is a great way to kick off the Festival weekend on Saturday, August 5.  This half marathon, 10k, 5k starts at City Hall and ends at the Port dock. It is a USTAF certified run along the Anacortes waterfront.  Proceeds from this run fund public art projects.  After the hard work, runners can enjoy a Kiwanis pancake breakfast or Bloody Mary in the Waterfront Pub - and then head out for all that the Festival has to offer.  

Val & Jim Gleeson in the Port Pub
Calling all volunteers
please join us....

Festival volunteer positions are filling up, but we still have openings in a number of areas - including booth sitters, fine art docents, beer & wine garden helpers and youth area volunteers.   Shifts only require a few hours of your time, and benefits include a free Festival t-shirt (with popular octopus design) and a post-Festival reception.  We  will give you the training you need to have a fun experience that contributes to the community. 


Old Town Tonic
Festival Music is a Big Deal
32 performers on 3 stages 

Music is a big part of the Festival experience.   We have 3 stages featuring 32 regional and local acts. The Manieri Endowment sponsors a weekend of Jazz on the 10th Street Jazz Stage. Highlights include the Seattle Women's Jazz Orchestra and ever popular Pearl Django on Saturday - plus Nearly Dan (a 12 piece Steely Dan tribute band) on Friday evening.  If Jazz is not your thing, the Main Stage on 3rd Street and Port Stage on the dock have a varied lineup of sounds including local talent John Van Deusen, Miller Campbell, Old Town Tonic and Marcia Kester.  Music closes out the Festival on Friday and Saturday evenings.  Each of our stages has a beer (or wine) garden adjacent, so it's possible to enjoy multiple pleasures at once!

Music Lineup
Paint Station for Kids
Kiwanis builds plex-glass canvas 

Our kids area is chocked full of active and creative things for kids to do.  The local Kiwanis Club is building a new painting station for the area that will allow kids to finger-paint on plexiglass panels. Kids activities are being coordinated by Ria Kilburn, Tricia Sharp, Sherry Chavers, Mike Hendon and Rachel Root - and includes partnerships with local organizations.  Students Alyssa Jenson and Brody Carlson created the artwork for this year's Youth Buttons that are an exclusive perk for Youth Area volunteers.
Romania Dancers at Festival

The Anacortes Sister Cities organization is hosting Floricica Dance Ensemble from Romania and they will perform on our Main Stage on Friday and Saturday mornings at 11am. Sister Cities are sponsoring additional performances that include music, singing and more cultural dancing. Visit their website for more information. 

Anacortes Arts Festival | 505 O Ave, Anacortes |360-293-6211

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