Attend Paradise City Arts Festival

Oct. 3, 2018 | Debbie Gardner
debbieg@thereminder.com

GREATER SPRINGFIELD – Paradise City Arts Festival is gearing up for its 24th fall show on the Three County Fairgrounds Oct. 6, 7, and 8, and Founding Director Linda Post told Reminder Publishing it’s going to be an exciting Columbus Day Weekend.

“We have close to 15 new artists,” Post said, adding that the Festival is always being approached by artists from across the country wanting to bring their work to Northampton. “I mean, there’s always something you’ve never seen before.”

This year’s exhibitors number 250, a collection of outstanding artists and master crafts makers from more than 20 states who will be bringing original works in ceramics, painting, decorative fiber, art glass, furniture, jewelry, metal, mixed media, photography, sculpture, wearable art and woodworking to show and sell during the three-day event. Post said the mix of returning exhibitors and new artist gives Paradise City visitors the opportunity to “talk to your favorite [artists] and meet someone new … I think that is a lot of what Paradise City is about is making the connections [with artists].

“You walk into somebody’s booth and they are so willing to share how they made [their exhibit items] and their inspiration,” Post continued. She said a visit to the Paradise City Arts Festival is “a way for people to really understand culture and creativity, and feel as though it’s a fun way to do it.”

As always, visitors will have three buildings of displays to explore, as well as an outdoor sculpture garden and the annual 12,000 square-foot Festival Food Tent featuring cuisines from many of Northampton’s best restaurants. The recently constructed exhibit buildings at the Three County Fairgrounds are “all carpeted and have attractive lighting” Post said, adding, “there’s a covered walkway between the buildings and the dining tent. When you’re at the show, you don’t have to go outside if the weather is inclement.”

As it has for the past dozen years, the Columbus Day weekend Festival will also include a show within a show. This year’s theme is “Pattern Play,” and Post promised visitors would see the concept of patterns woven through art executed in a variety of mediums. From the point of creativity Post, who is an artist herself, said the concept of pattern was “very important” because it provides a framework upon which to explore ideas, “express a narrative and create continuity between one piece and another.”

Beyond providing visitors with a visually stunning exhibit, Post said the show-within–a show concept was good for artists because it “gives their art a higher visibility” and shows off their work “in another context.”

The Festival will also highlight the work of PBS member station WGBY Channel 57 in the community with a silent auction featuring hundreds of artworks donated by Festival exhibitors. One hundred percent of the proceeds from the auction – there will be one each day – will benefit the station.

“WGBY is sort of a constant focus [in our fundraising],” said Post, who noted the Festival has supported numerous nonprofits ranging from the Survival Center to Dakin Humane Society, raising more than $400,000 through silent auctions over the years. “We’ve been partnering with [WGBY] for a very long time because they are such a community involved station. They look at this as not just a fundraiser, but a way to get out into the community and connect with people [about their educational and community programming].”

Visitors will also have the opportunity to get up close with the creative process through glimpses of the creative process – and informative talks – during a series of workshop presentations throughout the Festival.

“Festivals like Paradise City provide a way for [artists] to have their creations reach the general public and for the public, in a very unintimidating way, to be exposed to fine art and crafts,” Post explained.

Visitor’s taste buds will also be treated to some enriching experiences in the Festival Dining Tent, thanks to myriad offerings from local restaurants. Exotic curries, pad Thai, crisp-crusted pizza, lobster rolls and corn chowder, pulled pork sliders, poutine with duck gravy, dim sum, locavore burgers, Asian tacos, overstuffed burritos, mango lassi, pumpkin moon pies, apple fritters and fresh homemade ice cream are some of specialties to be showcased by Sierra Grille, Mama Iguana’s, Local Burger, Amber Waves, Great Wall, Spoleto, Pizzeria Paradiso, India House, Bart’s Homemade Ice Cream, the 3 County Fair Bar and the Café & Bar in Exhibition Building 3.

The 3 County Fairgrounds is located at 54 Old Ferry Road, off Rt. 9 in Northampton. Festival hours are: Oct. 6 and 7, 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. and Oct. 8, 10 a.m. -4 p.m. Admission is Adults: $14, seniors: $12, Students: $8 and a three-day pass is $16. Children 12 years of age and under admitted free. Tickets are available online or at the box office. Free Parking! Free full color program with admission. For more information call 800.511.9725 or visit: festivals.paradisecityarts.com.

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