ArtFest transforms a Spokane park
It was a feast for the senses.
There was plenty for the eyes Saturday as Coeur d’Alene Park in historic Browne’s Addition turned into a massive outdoor exhibit of brilliant paintings, ornate jewelry, whimsical metal sculptures and other arts and crafts.
But the ears, the mouth, the nose, even the stomach, found some satisfaction, too. ArtFest, Spokane’s annual festival of art, food and music, is celebrating its 20th anniversary this weekend, and thousands of people showed up Saturday for the party.
When they got there, the crowds discovered more than 100 artists and craftspeople from throughout their region, selling and displaying all sorts of original work from clay pots and hand-painted watering cans to hand-blown glass, black-and-white photographs and fanciful “kinetic sculptures” with arms that whirled with the wind.
They also were treated to the live sounds of folky guitar music, indie pop sounds and rocking reggae from the main stage as the aroma of kettle corn and even fried yakisoba noodles wafted in the air.
“The atmosphere is wonderful,” said Lorraine O’Bleness of Spokane, who usually buys jewelry, hats and other hand-crafted items at ArtFest every year.
While adults listened to music and wandered from booth to booth, the children who came spent most of their time at “Make It Art!” – a section of the park devoted to hands-on projects for kids.
Toddlers, tweens and even teens stayed busy and sometimes got messy as they fashioned clay sculptures, strung beads and created all kinds of art. While some were content to paint large sheets of paper or draw on the sidewalk with chalk, others used glue guns on scraps of wood, designed sand candles and took part in “fish printing,” in which real fish were applied to acrylic paint then pressed onto paper.
“This is awesome,” said Tara Cyranoski, who came for the first time along with her 4-year-old daughter, Daija, and 10-month-old son, Cameron. “We’re all having fun.”
The event seems to be planned with the whole family in mind, said Kristy Wessels of Spokane, who watched her 7-year-old daughter, Ava, splotch paint on paper. “It’s really kid-oriented,” she said.
Because admission is free, ArtFest makes it possible for everyone to participate, Wessels said. Although the “Make It Art!” projects required the purchase of tickets, none of the activities costs more than $2. The money benefits the education programs of the Spokane Art School and the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture, the sponsors of ArtFest.
Twenty cents of every dollar spent in artist and food booths also support the museum’s and art school’s services.
ArtFest, which was held in recent years on the museum’s grounds, was moved back to nearby Coeur d’Alene Park this year to make room for more vendors. The extra space allowed the festival to increase its number of booths from 70 to 115, according to organizers.
It’s not as big as some festivals over on the West Side of the state, said Jerry Robinson, a visitor from Seattle. But that’s part of the appeal, he said.
“It’s quieter and more peaceful,” he said. “It’s a beautiful day and we’re having a good time.”