Historic, picturesque Old Town will be sparkling with white tents filled with colorful art on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 22 and 23. The festival will feature art in many of its facets “” painting, sculpture, hand-blown glass, metal art, furniture, jewelry and much more, including 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. Kids will enjoy the 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 bestowing a generous 20 percent discount, while other eateries are offering mouthwatering special dishes, such as a shrimp and mango ceviche, tequila lime shrimp, Monet mango ice cream, banana cheesecake and Cioppino Del Artiste. Check the map for details.
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. Then spend the day strolling in historic Old Town, browsing, buying art and having a delicious dinner at the festival.
“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.
“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 at 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 creates 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.
Kole is a jewelry artist who also works with dichroic-coated glass. With 20 years’ 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,” Sussna said. “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 is free and open to the public from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 22, and Sunday, Sept. 23. Ample parking is available at the Caltrans building at Taylor and Juan streets. For more about the artists and to view samples of the art, visit www.oldtownartfestival.com.