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Paradise City Arts Festival readies for annual fall show

Paradise City Arts Festival readies for annual fall show d--e-delguidice_hieroglyphicbed.jpg
'Hieroglyphic Bed' by Mark Del Guidice of Norwood, Mass. A Queen size bed of mahogany, basswood, milk paint and varnish. The piece is part of the "SpellIt Out" sepcail exhibit at Paradise City Oct. 6 to 8.

Photo courtesy of Paradise City

PRIME October 2012 NORTHAMPTON – It's been called "a Mecca for art lovers," "wild and wonderful" and "the coolest collection of for-sale art around." AmericanStyle Magazine named it the no. 3 art and craft show in America in 2012, and a Top 10 Arts Festival nationwide for the eighth time. The Paradise City Arts Festival, slated for Oct. 6, 7 and 8 on the Three County Fairgrounds, marks its 18th year as New England's premier showcase for fine and functional art, with a breadth of exhibitors and activities that will astonish and enthrall you. Paradise City joins in the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of American Studio Glass with spectacular glassblowing demonstrations all weekend long. It's also American Craft Week, which brings together galleries and organizations from all 50 states in recognition of the countless ways handmade objects enrich daily lives and contribute to the national aesthetic and economy. Paradise City is proud to be an official sponsor of American Craft Week. "Spell It Out!" This fall's special exhibition at Paradise city brings together words and pictures for an illuminating show-within-a-show. Artists often make language an integral part of their work. In "Spell It Out!" Paradise City artists combine verbal and pictorial expression to enrich communication of ideas. Of course, silly visual puns and plays on words are part of the process, too! As a special treat, children attending the event will be invited to create note cards and coasters on a 100-year-old press with Big Wheel Press at "Letterpress Alphabet". Benefit silent auction The arts come into our lives through many media, and Paradise City is recognizing a visual partner in public television with this year's benefit auction. Programming on public television, (PBS) provides multi-media ABC's for children, entertainment for grownups such as "Masterpiece Mystery" and "Downton Abbey," and fascinating scientific, political and cultural programming for all. WGBY, Public Television for Western New England will receive 100 percent of the proceeds from the Festival's Silent Art Auction. Fabulous food, world-class music The Festival Dining Tent features sensational food prepared by locally renowned chefs. Tap your feet to a different band every day while you take a culinary trip around the world. Charles Neville, Roger Salloom, The O-Tones and Viva Quetzal are among the featured performers this October. The Festival's Dining Tent looks out over the brilliant, fall foliage-draped hills, and offers up sensational cuisine prepared by some of the region's most celebrated chefs. Try a little New Orleans at the Eastside Grill, authentic Italian from Spoleto and Pizzeria Paradiso, flavors of the Far East at India House, The Great Wall and Amber Waves and Mexican treats at Mama Iguana's. Make dessert an all-American treat from Bart's Homemade Ice Cream. Visitors will be able to dine on fresh lobster rolls and bourbon BBQ short ribs, dim sum and pad thai, spicy burritos and curried scallops, corn "chowda" and cider donuts... just a sampling of the culinary masterpieces cooked up by local chefs at Paradise City. Expect lots of tasty surprises from the chefs at this fall's show, using locally grown foods straight from the Valley's farms. Individuals will have the choice to eat in the tent, or to enjoy the culinarey offerings alfresco in the Sculpture Garden, truly a garden of artful delights. Take in towering sculptures, stone fountains, handmade seating and landscape ornaments. There's so much to do at Paradise City, it's easy to spend the whole weekend! The Paradise City Art Festival will be open on Oct. 6 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.Ocxt. 7 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Oct. 8 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the Three County Fairgrounds, 54 Old Ferry Road, off Route 9in Northampton. Admission is $12 for adults, $10 for Seniors 65 years old and up and $8 for students. Children age 12 and younger are admitted free. A three-day pass is available for $15. All admissions include a free full color program. Parking is free, and the venue is handicapped accessible. Group discounts are available. Bookmark and Share