Historic, picturesque Old Town will be sparkling with white tents filled with colorful art on Sept. 22 and 23, for a glorious arts festival featuring art in many of its facets.
Works will include painting, sculpture, hand-blown glass, metal art, furniture, jewelry and fiber art, both decorative and wearable. Each tent will house an artist with the artist’s work colorfully displayed inside and outside.
The 2007 Old Town Art Festival is free and open to the public but some cash might come in handy in case the desire strikes to purchase some of the artwork on display ” all of which is for sale.
Other activities include a wine tasting and a lineup of musical entertainment. Children will be treated to special hands-on art activities. For the taste buds, “The Flavors of Old Town” will highlight special dishes and offer discounts from many of the area’s popular restaurants.
Café Pacifica and Acapulco restaurant are each offering a 20 percent discount, while other eateries are serving up mouthwatering special dishes like a shrimp and mango ceviche, tequila lime shrimp, Monet mango ice cream, banana cheesecake and Cioppino Del Artiste.
Participants may pick up a map at one of the information booths at San Diego Avenue and Conde Street, or at San Diego Avenue and Twigg Street, for a guide to activities and special offers. Participants may then spend the day strolling in historic Old Town, browsing, buying art and having a delicious dinner.
“It’s a great event for the family,” said Jeanne Ferrell, owner of Cold Stone Creamery and secretary of the Old Town San Diego Chamber of Commerce. “What better way to introduce kids to art?”
With a world-class wine tasting and musical acts such as Latin a Go Go, the Mario Olivares Duo, the Jazz Pigs, Emma’s Gut Bucket Band, and Javid performing flamenco, it’s a great event for the grown-ups, as well. There’s also a wide range of artwork, all for sale, by renowned artists.
“At the Old Town Art Festival, everyone “” from artists to collectors ” has a good time,” said Richard Stegner, Old Town San Diego Chamber of Commerce executive director.
He added that it’s an opportunity for the public to learn more about art while also learning more about “our city’s storied past,” while perambulating through the heart of Old Town, where California began.
This year’s featured artist is acclaimed Disney Studio artist Dick Duerrstein. Creative director for Disney for many years, Duerrstein will be painting a piece of art during the festival “” a rare opportunity to watch him at work. Many of his famous Disney character pieces, including Peter Pan and Tinker Bell, will be on display and for sale at the festival.
Among the many artists at the festival are three from La Jolla “” Bobbie and Lee Sperling, Kim Kole and Michael Sussna.
The husband-and-wife Sperling team create glass art “” plates, vases and jewelry, made with fused art glass and dichroic glass. Dichroic glass, from the Greek for “two colors,” transmits one color and reflects another, seeming to change as it’s turned.
Kim Kole is a jewelry artist who also works with dichroic-coated glass. With 20 years of experience in this medium, Kole sells to glass galleries across the country and pieces of her work are displayed in the prestigious Corning Museum of Glass. In addition to her jewelry for people, dog lovers might want to acquire her latest creation ” a dog collar.
Sussna, a former software developer, is a “fractal” artist. Fractal fine art makes visual the behavior of mathematical functions in an esthetic use of form, color, texture, and composition. Fractal art attracts a broad spectrum of admirers, appealing to people of all ages and all walks of life, according to the artist.
“There aren’t many art shows in San Diego of this caliber,” said Sussna. “I participated in it last year and had a good experience, so I’m looking forward to the 2007 festival.”
The Old Town festival draws a big crowd, he noted, with many tourists as well as locals. Last year his best customer was from Florida, said Sussna, who sells a wide range of items, from note cards to large framed canvases.
Preview some of Sussna’s intriguing images at www.sussna.com.
The Old Town Art Festival runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days. Ample parking is available at the CALTRANS building at Taylor and Juan Street.
For more about the artists and to view samples of the art, visit www.oldtownartfestival.com.