Supporting Art in Anacortes during Covid19
Like every other arts festival in our region, we have cancelled the 2020 Festival due to Covid19 safety concerns. This is the first time in 59 years that the Festival has not taken over the streets of Anacortes on the first weekend of August.
We are, however, organizing a number of safe arts activities during the summer to support artists and keep the arts alive during these strange times.
The Festival is partnering with the Anacortes Arts Commission to place artwork by Anacortes artists in some of the downtown storefronts. Look for those to start showing up in early August. We are also producing some virtual studio tours with Anacortes artists that will be shared via social media.
Thanks to a partnership with Skagit Publishing, we will produce a 4-week supplement on Thursdays in the Skagit Valley Herald focusing on the arts. The first week looks at Anacortes public art and includes a map of a downtown walking tour Art Tour Map NEW. If you are interested in learning more about the Anacortes Public Art, the following PDF is a complete inventory PublicArtInventory
In these challenging times, the need for the arts in our community is even greater and funding them more challenging. The Anacortes Arts Festival is committed to continuing to support youth art, artists and art programs during this time. We need your help to make this happen.
Your donation, in any amount, will support:
- Art Kits for students at home during school closures
- Future Cultural Education and Local Artist in Schools Programs
- The Festival’s Giving Back Program for a number of art programs in Anacortes
- The Summer Festival, where artists earn their living and Anacortes businesses thrive
Your donation is tax deductible, and will help keep doing the work we are doing for the Anacortes Community. This is an unusual and strange time that we are living in. Let us all remember to find daily reasons to be grateful, even if some days they are harder to find than others.
The Arts in Anacortes are Alive and well!
For nearly 60 years, the Anacortes Arts Festival has been bringing visitors to our community to celebrate the arts. The community is home to thriving arts organizations who offer year-round programming in theater, music, visual and literary arts.The City boasts a large public art collection in locations ranging from city streets and buildings, to waterfront settings, to parks and forestlands.
The largest Anacortes event – The Anacortes Arts Festival is scheduled for August 6-8 of 2021. It includes 250 booth artisans and a museum quality fine art show at the Port Event Center on the Guemes Channel . The Festival schedules over 35 musical acts on three stages – each adjacent to beer & wine gardens pouring Northwest microbrews and wines (plus margaritas and other spirits). There is Working Studios area that features artists demonstrating all variety of traditional, contemporary and folk art forms. Rounding things out is an active youth area and the annual Art Dash half marathon, 10k, 5k.
The Port of Anacortes hosts a series of FREE evening concerts on Friday evenings at the Seafarer’s Memorial Park at the south end of Cap Sante Marina. These concerts are casual (bring a chair or a blanket). They feature a wide range of music from soothing jazz to fast paced rock standards. If you prefer Saturday evenings, the City’s Heart of Anacortes at the corner of 4th and O Ave also has a summertime lineup of musical events.
A popular Anacortes gathering place is our Farmers Market at the Depot Art Center, 611 R Ave, from 9 – 2 Saturdays. This weekly community happening includes produce and other food items from local growers and producers, handmade crafts, food vendors, live music and flowers. During April they area adding an online Farmer’s Market. Check their website for information.
Last but not least, the Anacortes First Friday Gallery Walk includes work by regional artistic talent in local galleries and businesses. This is a very popular evening event happens year round.
Area Art Links
Anacortes
Anacortes Open Streets – Buskerfest
NEW addition to community fun in the streets
Chamber of Commerce
Complete information about Anacortes
Anacortes Museum
Enjoy an online collection of more than 20,000 photographs including the Anacortes Mural Project
Anacortes Community Theatre
Year round live dramatic and comedy theater
Fidalgo Danceworks
Dance classes and performance for youth and adults
Anacortes Arts Commission
City arts organization fostering engagement in the arts for all citizens
Jazz at the Library
Anacortes Public Library’s extensive collection of jazz CDs & literature for streaming or loan, scheduled jazz & blues programming
Vela Luka Dance Ensemble
Music and dance celebrating Croatian heritage
An-O-Chords
Men’s harmony barbershop chorus
Skagit Valley Camera Club
Monthly meetings offering education and exhibition for photographers
First Friday Gallery Walk
Monthly Friday evening event showcasing local and regional artists in various locations
The Heart of Anacortes
Outdoor concerts, art exhibits & more
Skagit County
Museum of Northwest Art
MoNA connects people with the art, diverse cultures and environments of the Northwest.
Skagit Symphony
Promotes classical music through concerts and education
Skagit Opera
Professional Opera Company
Skagit Valley Chorale
Expressing the human spirit through choral music
Bellingham
North Sound Life
Arts related activities north of Anacortes.
Sister Festivals
When is Coupeville Arts & Crafts Festival? Neighboring Coupeville holds their festival the weekend after our Festival each year. Include Whidbey Island in your plans to visit our area.