Festival of the Arts adds new features

Posted: 8:25 am, May 1, 2013 by Publisher Scott Brennan

2013 Paso Robles Festival of the Arts adds new features

Memorial Day weekend, Saturday, May 25, 2013 in the Downtown City Park

Exciting additions include the Emerging Artists Collective, an expanded bar & lounge area, new entertainment, sustainable landscaping, and much more

The Paso Robles Festival of the Arts celebrates its fifth year with fun additions to the event that promise to enhance the art-filled experience for attendees of all ages.

Each section of the event has seen an enhancement this year. The popular Plein Air Quick-Draw and Auction has been moved to the charming city park gazebo, at the center of the Outdoor Fine Art Show and Sale. A bar and lounge area has been added nearby so that art show and auction attendees can bid at the auction and browse the art offerings with a glass of wine or a beer.

In addition to 50+ nationally- and regionally-acclaimed artists who will exhibit and sell artworks ranging from painting, jewelry, drawing, ceramic, glass, textiles, wood, photography and mixed media, there is a brand new, fun “Emerging Artists Collective” area in the art show that will feature a loose-knit group of mostly self-taught artists who make art that reflects the lifestyles they lead and will showcase lowbrow art, graffiti, and neo-surrealism.

The Youth Art Zone, located along Spring Street, will have a new layout, enhanced staging, a larger public mural project and new entertainment. There will once again be eight hands-on art stations for kids, along with a full day’s performances on the youth stage, musical petting zoo, face painters, stilt walkers, etc.

The Environmental Partners Zone, located next to the fountain, will focus this year on making your home and yard more sustainable. Additions include mini-workshops, worm farming and composting demos and sustainable gardening information. The area will again feature an update on the Salinas River Corridor Project (plus information on the new 40-mile walking and biking trail) and a fun and an enhanced Mother Nature Photo Booth.

The extremely popular Sand Guys (part of the Travel Channel’s Sand Masters crew) will return with an expanded sand sculpting area on Pine Street that will feature brief sand sculpting demonstrations on the hour and half hour. Children and adults can learn sand castle sculpting skills that they can use for beach visits for the rest of their lives.

There will once again be live music throughout the day on Pine Street, two special exhibitions showing at Studios on the Park, a free Bike Valet service and the signature and ever-popular stilt walkers will return to stalk the park, to the delight of all.

The event takes Memorial Day weekend, Saturday, May 25, 2013 in the Downtown City Park.

For more information, go to www.pasoartfestival.com.