King Street, from the river to Washington Street, will once again be transformed into an outdoor art exhibit when the sixth annual Festival of the Arts comes to Old Town on Saturday, Sept. 13, and Sunday, Sept. 14. Featuring the works of more than 200 juried artists, the festival showcases works in every medium.
Produced by Howard Alan Events, the show, which is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, features some of the nation's most talented artists displaying their original works that are all available for purchase. It has been rated as one of the top 100 art fairs nationally by Sunshine Artist magazine.
Complementing the open air exhibits, the Torpedo Factory Art Center, 105 N. Union St., will highlight both the works of their resident artists as well as creative demonstrations including pottery, painting, jewelry making and other hands-on activities plus performing arts on Saturday from noon to 4 p.m.
Entitled "Art Activated," visual arts will come alive at the Torpedo Factory with demonstrations in pottery on the wheel, painting, enameling, printmaking, and many other creative activities. Visitors will be invited to participate in the popular "Champagna Cork Chair Workshop," fiber art activities, and Alexandria Archeology Museum's history-inspired drawing activities.
From noon to 2 p.m. attendees can enjoy West African storytelling and flute performances by artists from the Smith Farm Center for Healing and the Arts. A non-profit organization, it provides healing resources and support for adults living with cancer.
The award-winning BosmaDance will perform art-inspired dance vignettes in various artists' studio beginning at 2 p.m. Their grand finale performance, "Bright Pink Vessel," a 30-minute interpretive dance-theater presentation inspired by Leonardo da Vinci's philosophy of art and life, looks at how we relate to our own bodies.
"We are once again excited to welcome the popular Alexandria Festival of the Arts to our City and invite visitors to experience our own Torpedo Factory Art Center. This annual festival weekend brings with it the opportunity for visitors to become introduced or reacquainted with Alexandria," said Stephanie Brown, president and CEO, Alexandria Convention and Visitors Association.
MORE THAN $15 million in paintings, life-size sculptures, handcrafted jewelry, photography, ceramics, and other artistic mediums will be exhibited under the white canopied tents stretching the length of lower King Street. Exhibiting artists were selected from hundreds of submissions by an independent panel of judges.
Again this year, Christ Church, 118 N. Washington St., will make its courtyard available for a family-friendly respite during festival hours. "Children in the Courtyard" will feature a variety of activities including a moon bounce, face painting and bread stringing. It will operate from noon to 4 p.m. both days with a free lunch available.
The King Street Trolley will operate on a modified route during the festival. It will travel east on King Street from the King Street Metro Station to Washington Street. There is will make a left and stop to allow passengers to disembark. It will then make a left onto Cameron Street and return to King Street, heading west back to the King Street Metro Station.
After the festival closes Saturday evening the entertainment continues at Market Square. The popular Al Williams will give a concert of contemporary pop and jazz from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
The entire weekend of events is free. For additional information visit the following Web sites: www.VisitAlexandriaVA.com; www.artfestival.com; www.torpedofactory.org/art_activated.htm.