This Columbus Day Weekend – Oct. 6, 7 and 8 – meet 250 outstanding artists and master craft makers traveling from more than 20 states to show and sell original works in ceramics, painting, decorative fiber, art glass, furniture, jewelry, metal, mixed media, photography, sculpture, wearable art and woodworking at Paradise City!
It’s Festival time!
The 24th Annual Paradise City Arts Festival in Northampton, MA is an extraordinary event for such a small city, drawing attendees from all over the northeast and beyond. This expansive showcase for the arts features three large, carpeted Exhibition Buildings, plus cuisine by Northampton’s best chefs under the 12,000 square-foot Festival Dining Tent, craft demonstrations and workshops, themed exhibits, a benefit silent auction and an array of large-scale outdoor sculpture and garden pieces. Most importantly, it’s all about the 250 artists. Each one has a story to tell, a skill to share and a passion for their work that is inspiring and infectious.
A show within a show
For more than ten years, the themed shows-within-a-show at Paradise City Arts Festivals have enchanted and educated the public, while offering the artists an opportunity to be extra creative and think outside the box. Discover the mysterious power of patterns to communicate ideas, create new connections, and spin a web that draws you deep into the artist’s imagination.
This year’s theme is Pattern Play. Though you’ll see mesmerizing patterns and rhythmic decorations everywhere you look at Paradise City, this theme really comes to life in the special exhibit “Pattern Play!” mounted in Exhibition Building 2. Across all disciplines, in art and sculpture, textiles and fashion, ceramics, glassblowing, woodworking and all manner of metalsmithing, the imaginative use of this effective design element has become indispensable to the creative process.
Bid big to help public television!
WGBY 57, the public television and PBS member station for Western New England, is the beneficiary of Paradise City’s popular Silent Art Auction this year. PBS provides multi-media ABC’s for kids, mystery and drama series, and fascinating scientific, political, historical and cultural programming. Paradise City’s exhibiting artists have generously donated hundreds of beautiful items to be auctioned each day of the Festival. One hundred percent of the proceeds from the auction will benefit WGBY and public television in the region. Paradise City has raised over $400,000 over the years to benefit regional non-profits with these special Silent Auctions.
Taste the flavors of NoHo
The 12,000 square-foot Festival Dining Tent at the Paradise City Arts Festival is a microcosm of Northampton’s vibrant restaurant scene, with music wafting through the air and recipes that span the globe. Expect lots of tasty surprises from the region’s restaurants at this fall’s show, using locally grown foods straight from the Valley’s farms. Sample exotic curries, pad Thai, crisp-crusted pizza, lobster rolls and corn chowder, pulled pork sliders, poutine with duck gravy, dim sum, locavore burgers, Asian tacos, overstuffed burritos, mango lassi, pumpkin moon pies, apple fritters and fresh homemade ice cream.
Restaurants include: • Sierra Grille • Mama Iguana’s • Local Burger • Amber Waves • Great Wall • Spoleto • Pizzeria Paradiso • India House • Bart’s Homemade Ice Cream • 3 County Fair Bar • Café & Bar in Exhibition Building 3.
And see how they do it
From workshops and demonstrations to fascinating talks, Paradise City keeps your hands, eyes and brain busy. Get a glimpse of the technique and thought process behind each piece of art or craft, whether it’s during a formal demonstration or just talking to individual artists. It’s one of the many pleasures of this event.
Master ceramist and sculptor Tim Scull shares the secrets of his studio and demonstrates on the potter’s wheel, while Alan and Rosemary Bennett lead clay sculpture workshops for children (and the young at heart). The changing installations and large-scale sculpture along the Sculpture Promenade between the Dining Tent and the Exhibition Buildings are catnip for kids, Instagram heaven and full of fantastic decorating ideas for the attendees’ own gardens.
Hours, tickets, more
The 24th Annual Paradise City Arts Festival takes place in three Exhibition Buildings connected by covered walkways and under the Festival Dining Tent, rain or shine, at the 3 County Fairgrounds: 54 Old Ferry Road, off Rt. 9 in Northampton, MA.
Hours are: Saturday, Oct. 6 and Sunday, Oct. 7, 10 a.m.- 6 p.m.; Monday, Oct. 8, 10 a.m -4 p.m.
Ticket prices are: Adults: $14. Seniors: $12. Students: $8. Three-Day Pass: $16. 12 and under: free. Tickets available online or at the box office. Free Parking! Free full color program with admission.
For more information call 800.511.9725 or visit: festivals.paradisecityarts.com