Category: Uncategorized

Register for Festival’s Online Art Auction

Posted on

Bidding for the Festival’s Online Art Auction opens on March 8th!  Don’t miss a minute of the bidding action by making sure you are registered before then.

Click here for details on the three ticket prices, a preview of the auction items (they are still coming in, so check back often!) and the link to register to bid.

Bidding is live through March 20th, when we will close the auction with a celebration of art through a virtual event. We hope that you can join us and even if you are not able to, you can still bid on your favorite pieces all the way through the auction closing that night.

If you would like to see the items in person, before you bid, they will be on display at 804 Commercial Avenue, March 5 – 20, 11a.m. – 5p.m. daily.

Follow the links to see all of the amazing art that is available for auction!  Your bids support the Festival, our programs and artists in our community.

2020 Giving Back Grants Awarded

Posted on

The Anacortes Arts Festival is granting over $25,000 to artists and arts organizations through our annual Giving Back program in 2020. Full List of Grants The Festival strives to impact the whole community through its range of giving by advancing arts education and increasing participation in the arts on Fidalgo Island. In addition to grants, the Festival funds art education programs for school kids through our April events, public art through our Art Dash, and artists through our fine art awards & Anacortes Collects program.  In total, we returned over $65,000 to the community in 2019.

For questions, please contact Jennifer at staff@anacortesartsfestival.com.

Three Stages Jam Packed for Three Days!

Posted on

The three stages at the Anacortes Arts Festival are packed with non-stop talent.

We are proud to be partnering with the Manieri Endowment again to bring you a group of amazing jazz musicians.  The ever-popular Nearly Dan is back on Friday night and there are a number of exciting new-to-the-Festival jazz musicians throughout the weekend.  Pearl Django and Birch Pereira & the Gin Joints are back on Saturday afternoon.  And, a band with a name that is so intriguing, that you can’t miss them on Sunday – Herding Cat Octet!

The Main Stage is packed with great music to enjoy from the Hideout Beer Garden.  Friday night features John Van Deusen and Friends and a Tom Petty Tribute Group, Petty Differences.  Saturday is all day rockin’ and country fun with Geoffrey Castle, Chris Eger Band, Knut Bell & the Blue Collars and Award-Winning Country Musician Chance McKinney.  On Sunday, Bellingham favorite Kuinka will close out the Festival with their joyful, fun pop.

Enjoying music on the dock, along Guemes Channel is one of the rare treats that the Festival offers.  Local favorite Mama Dirty Skirt is back on Friday evening, during the Friday Night Art Walk.  We’ve brought another fan favorite, Commander Mojo & the Horns of Discontent back on Saturday to rock the dock.  And, Sunday morning, start your day with Ebb, Slack & Flood.

Find the full schedule for each stage here and plan to spend time at each stage dancing, tapping your toes or clapping your hands!

Everything You Need To Know!

Posted on

What’s happening at the Anacortes Arts Festival this year?  With more than 250 artists, a fine art show, three stages, lots of food, youth activities, working artists and more….there is too much to go into detail in a blog post!

If you would love a sneak peek at what is happening at the Festival, check out our 2019 Show Guide.  It might help you plan your weekend with us!

See you August 2 – 4 in Downtown Anacortes!

 

Pattern & Structure in Focus Gallery

Posted on

Three talented artists will be featured in our Arts at the Port Allen Family Focus Gallery; relating to the theme “Pattern & Structure”. Guemes Island painter Cathy Schoenberg will include both florals and new patterned work. Seattle artist Jill Clark creates sculptural fiber work using hog gut and found objects. Portland artist Charissa Brock uses bamboo and glass in large and small scale basketry work. Arts at the Port opens on Saturday, July 27. Also included is our Juried Exhibition showing work from 55 regional fine artists and a youth art installation coordinated by Voices of the Children. Also featured will be the Regeneration Project collaborative installation honoring the victims of gun violence.

Giving in various ways

Posted on

Outside our regular grant cycle, we also designate funds from our annual Art Dash and Color Run for the purchase of public art. We have decided to use some of this year’s funds to purchase two of the sculptures from the Depot Madrona Grove Sculpture – Giraffes by Joe Treat and Continental Drift Number 2 by Anacortes artist Steve Lloyd.  Giraffes, constructed of driftwood,  was selected the public favorite from a recent survey and will remain where it is currently standing.  The placement of Continental Drift Number 2 has yet to be determined. Both pieces will become the property of the City.  The sculpture exhibition is facilitated by the Anacortes Arts Commission and sponsored by Windermere.

Depot Sculpture Program 

Art Dash funds purchase public art

Posted on

One of ways that the Festival gives back is through public art purchases with proceed from our annual Art Dash and Color Runs.   We recently decided to purchase 2 sculptures from the current Madrona Grove Sculpture Exhibition at the Depot facilitated by the Anacortes Arts Commission.  “Giraffes” by artist Joe Treat was chosen as the People’s Choice in a fall online public survey.  Consisting of two giraffes constructed from driftwood, the pair will stay where they are currently located in the grassy triangle south of the Depot.   The second piece, “Continental Drift Number 2” was created by Anacortes artist Steve Lloyd.   It is a giant sphere is also created from driftwood.  It’s permanent location is yet to be determined.  The current exhibit will change out early in 2018.

Madrona Grove Sculpture Exhibit by Windermere

Phil Elvrum in Concert

Posted on

April 1 – Phil Elvrum in Concert, 7pm, Depot Art Center – 611 R Ave

He will perform a concert at the Depot Art Center.  This popular young cult singer-songwriter-producer routinely draws large young crowds.

April Events focus on Fun & Family

Posted on

2017 dates for Art in Bloom are April 14 – 22. Originally started as a way to bring fine art to Anacortes during the busy Tulip Festival season, Art in Bloom has evolved into a series of family-friendly events including a Fine Art Exhibition focusing on emerging collectors, an Evening Event to benefit arts education for Anacortes school children, Do the Bloom Color Run to fund public art and a Spring Fest featuring regional artisans.

Busker Fest Anacortes on Sunday!

Posted on

Join us at the first annual Busker Fest Anacortes this Sunday, August 28 from 11:00a.m. – 2:00p.m.  Street performers will be performing throughout Downtown Anacortes, in partnership with the City of Anacortes and Open Streets Anacortes.  Ten of them will be competing in a People’s Choice competition – make sure to vote with your smartphone while you are at the event! Music, dance, juggling and so much more!

Ride your bike, your scooter, your rollerblades…or just walk!  Commercial Avenue will be closed and there will be lots of activities in addition to the great performers!