Art lovers and San Diego history buffs will surely enjoy the Old Town Chamber of Commerce’s debut of ArtFest this weekend, Sept. 16 and 17. The event will take place throughout Old Town State Historic Park and on San Diego Avenue between Twiggs and Conde streets.
ArtFest is one of four events this year across the Southwest that feature contemporary, fine crafts, fashion and home décor artists and artisans from across the country.
Of the 200 artists presenting, 11 are from San Diego County and five are City of San Diego residents, including Hassan Atapour (photography), whose studio is located in Old Town; Igor Koutsenko (printmaking); Beatrice Roberts (jewelry), whose studio is located in Del Mar; Bobbie and Lee Sperling (glass art), whose Baubles by Bobbie Studio is located in La Jolla; and Carlos West (watercolor).
“It’s the best because ordinary people do not go to the galleries to see art, but if they see an art [festival] coming to their backyard, it’s more fun, more pleasant, it’s outdoors,” said Atapour, who hopes the event will encourage people to visit Old Town. “Most people even get enthusiastic to create their own art also. It’s an inspiration for them.”
What goes hand-in-hand with art? Well, wine of course. For $15, festival-goers can participate in wine tasting at the Cosmopolitan Restaurant in the Plaza del Pasado. The beautiful historic building was once the home of Juan Bandini and the original center of Old Town’s social life. The building became the Cosmopolitan Hotel in 1869; today it serves as one of Old Town’s heritage restaurants, serving guests from around the world.
The tasting includes two appetizers and four wine samples, with a free etched collector glass while supplies last. Plaza del Pasado’s Chef-de-Cuisine Jose Santiago is preparing canapés to balance the international and domestic wines being presented.
The festival will also include a Taste of Old Town foods; continuous live entertainment provided by San Diego-based husband and wife flamenco duo Javid New Flamenco, and The Jazz Pigs, a local jazz-fusion group; and an interactive family area with hands-on activities for children of all ages.
Along with the art, Old Town ArtFest also provides convenient shopping and historical and cultural sites, like the Whaley House, built in 1857 and deemed the most haunted house in the United States by the Travel Channel’s “America’s Most Haunted.”
And while art takes center stage at the festival, Old Town businesses hope that a visit will remind residents of what the longtime attraction has to offer.
“People think Old Town’s been sold and who took it?” said Richard Stegner, executive director of the Old Town Chamber of Commerce. “It’s always been here “¦ the rest of us are still here.”
The festival will run Saturday from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Parking and admission are free.For more information, visit www.oldtownartfestival.com.