Event Date: May 28-30, 2016
Northampton’s “Springtime in Paradise” Arts Festival is a world-class event held in the cultural heart of New England, featuring three days of astounding visual arts, eye-popping design, scrumptious food, fabulous live music and great fun.
Meet 250 extraordinary artists and master craft makers traveling from every corner of the country to show off original works in ceramics, painting, decorative fiber, art glass, furniture, jewelry, metal, mixed media, photography, large-scale sculpture, wearable art and woodworking.
Northampton, Massachusetts – New England’s most exciting and comprehensive arts fair, Paradise City Arts Festival opens to the public on Memorial Day Weekend, May 28, 29 & 30, 2016. One of the most spectacular fairs of fine craft, painting and sculpture in the whole country, this fair is lauded for its fresh, innovative approach. Meet 250 outstanding artists traveling from every corner of the country to show off their latest work, enjoy sensational cuisine by Northampton’s best chefs and catch live performances by nationally and regionally acclaimed musicians. Stroll through a flowering sculpture garden filled with artful delights, enjoy special exhibits, demonstrations and activities… all housed in four buildings and under tents at the historic Three County Fairgrounds in Northampton.
No online experience can replace the person-to-person contact offered by the Festival.Founding Director Linda Post says, “While websites like Etsy give art lovers instant access to the works of countless artists, the Paradise City Arts Festival continues to draw hundreds of exhibiting artists and many thousands of visitors from near and far to the Northampton show. It’s really the personal touch, the conversations with artists that are a vital part of what makes fairs like Paradise City valuable to the arts community in the 21st century. Whether it’s a hand-thrown coffee mug or a painting, when you bring something home from a show like this, there’s a narrative to it,” she explains. “Those stories give an extra dimension to the objects that surround you in your home. They add texture and warmth to your life.”
American Beauty: From Landscape to Dreamscape
Themed “show-within-a-show” exhibitions have been inspiring artists and intriguing patrons at Paradise City Arts Festivals for years. The natural world outside our windows is often the inspiration for art and design. In fine art, the term landscape describes any painting or drawing whose principal subject is the portrayal of a scenic view. Landscape has become such an integral element of our visual lexicon because of its ability to influence how we think and feel. Towering mountains inspire awe, riotous meadows of summer flowers elicit joy, a glassy lake on a misty dawn brings peace. The view depicted may be that of a real place, or it may be an imaginary, surreal or idealized scene. Artists often internalize the emotions that landscapes create, and that is where we step into dreamscape territory.
Themed “show-within-a-show” exhibitions have been inspiring artists and intriguing patrons at Paradise City Arts Festivals for years. The natural world outside our windows is often the inspiration for art and design. In fine art, the term landscape describes any painting or drawing whose principal subject is the portrayal of a scenic view. Landscape has become such an integral element of our visual lexicon because of its ability to influence how we think and feel. Towering mountains inspire awe, riotous meadows of summer flowers elicit joy, a glassy lake on a misty dawn brings peace. The view depicted may be that of a real place, or it may be an imaginary, surreal or idealized scene. Artists often internalize the emotions that landscapes create, and that is where we step into dreamscape territory.
In “American Beauty”, the themed exhibit in the Arena Building, Paradise City artists and makers offer fresh interpretations of the landscapes that surround them. Using paint, clay, metal, glass, fiber and wood, they weave together a visual panorama of America’s great outdoor spaces.
Fabulous Food and Live Music under the Festival Dining Tent
The 10,000 square-foot Festival Dining Tent is a microcosm of Northampton’s vibrant restaurant scene, with recipes that span the globe. Chefs introduce new dishes every season, using ingredients straight from the Valley’s farms.
The 10,000 square-foot Festival Dining Tent is a microcosm of Northampton’s vibrant restaurant scene, with recipes that span the globe. Chefs introduce new dishes every season, using ingredients straight from the Valley’s farms.
On the Soundstage this holiday weekend Paradise City presents jazz, blues and swing:
- Saturday: The Paradise Jazz Group. Lively New Orleans music from a five-piece band made up of the Valley’s jazz all-stars.
- Sunday: Sugar Ray and the Bluetones. Sugar Ray Norcia cut five albums with the legendary band Roomful of Blues, and his band has received three Grammy nominations and five Blues Music Awards.
- Memorial Day: The O-Tones. From Big Band Swing to Motown to R & B, this six-piece dance band showcases powerful vocal harmonies, driving rhythm, soulful sax and blazing guitar solos.
Silent Art Auction Benefit for Kestrel Land Trust
Kestrel Land Trust has been conserving and caring for forests, farms, and riverways in the Pioneer Valley since 1970. Kestrel also nurtures a love of the land by connecting people to special places through nature walks and cultural programs linking the arts, music, and history with the land. Hundreds of beautiful and valuable pieces have been donated by the Festival Artists for the auction. 100% of the proceeds from the art auction benefits conservation and preservation of public lands.
Kestrel Land Trust has been conserving and caring for forests, farms, and riverways in the Pioneer Valley since 1970. Kestrel also nurtures a love of the land by connecting people to special places through nature walks and cultural programs linking the arts, music, and history with the land. Hundreds of beautiful and valuable pieces have been donated by the Festival Artists for the auction. 100% of the proceeds from the art auction benefits conservation and preservation of public lands.
“SMARTtalk” and More
Paradise City introduced its “SMARTtalk” lectures and workshops to great acclaim last fall. This spring the Festival presents a series of short presentations every day on fascinating topics by selected artists, artisans, chefs and even land conservationists.
Paradise City introduced its “SMARTtalk” lectures and workshops to great acclaim last fall. This spring the Festival presents a series of short presentations every day on fascinating topics by selected artists, artisans, chefs and even land conservationists.
In addition, master ceramist and sculptor Vicente Garcia shares the secrets of his studio and demonstrates on the potter’s wheel, while Alan Bennett leads clay sculpture workshops for children (and the young at heart). The installations in the Sculpture Garden and Courtyard give all attendees the opportunity to vote for the most “Outstanding Outdoor Art” in the People’s Choice Awards.
Fast Facts
What:
Paradise City Arts Festival
Known as “Springtime in Paradise”, featuring 250 competitively juried artists from 21 states exhibiting original works in ceramics, painting, decorative fiber, art glass, furniture, jewelry, metal, mixed media, photography, large- scale sculpture, wearable art and woodworking.
Paradise City Arts Festival
Known as “Springtime in Paradise”, featuring 250 competitively juried artists from 21 states exhibiting original works in ceramics, painting, decorative fiber, art glass, furniture, jewelry, metal, mixed media, photography, large- scale sculpture, wearable art and woodworking.
Where:
In four buildings and under tents, rain or shine, at the 3 County Fairgrounds 54 Old Ferry Rd., off Rt. 9 Northampton, MA: I-91 at Exit 19 or 20
In four buildings and under tents, rain or shine, at the 3 County Fairgrounds 54 Old Ferry Rd., off Rt. 9 Northampton, MA: I-91 at Exit 19 or 20
When:
May 28, 29 & 30, 2016
Memorial Day Weekend
Saturday and Sunday, 10am-6pm
Monday, 10am-4pm
May 28, 29 & 30, 2016
Memorial Day Weekend
Saturday and Sunday, 10am-6pm
Monday, 10am-4pm
Admission:
Adults: $13. Seniors (65+): $12. Students: $8. Three-Day Pass: $16. 12 and under: free.
Free Parking!
Free full color program with admission.
Adults: $13. Seniors (65+): $12. Students: $8. Three-Day Pass: $16. 12 and under: free.
Free Parking!
Free full color program with admission.
And More!
Live music and sensational food under the Festival Dining Tent • Kestrel Land Trust Benefit Art Auction • “American Beauty” special exhibit • smARTtalk presentations, creative children’s workshops and demonstrations • Art installations in the Sculpture Garden!
Live music and sensational food under the Festival Dining Tent • Kestrel Land Trust Benefit Art Auction • “American Beauty” special exhibit • smARTtalk presentations, creative children’s workshops and demonstrations • Art installations in the Sculpture Garden!
Information:
Call 800.511.9725 or visit: festivals.paradisecityarts.com
