The 22nd Annual ARToberFEST Galveston – the island’s premier juried fine arts Festival – will again transform the city’s historic downtown cultural arts district into an open air gallery bursting with color and culture. Set for the weekend of October 19-20, this spectacular Festival will take place on Postoffice Street between 20th and 23rd streets, between the hours of 10-6, Saturday, October 19; and 11-5, Sunday, October 20.
Sponsored by The Grand 1894 Opera House, this year’s event will honor the life of Jeff Hamachek – a long-time participant in ARToberFEST. “Recognized as a professionally-trained fine artist with a contemporary impressionistic style influenced by masters Monet and Van Gogh, Jeff Hamachek left us much too soon. We are very grateful to his wife Jerri, who has agreed to participate in this year’s Festival to showcase some of his fine work,” noted Festival Coordinator, Sarah Piel. Hamachek was well-respected not only by his peers locally, but nation-wide as well.
This year’s event will feature 14 different forms of artistic media to be showcased by over 100 exceptional artists participating from throughout the United States, as well as artists from the Houston/Galveston Gulf Coast area. In addition to viewing and having the opportunity to purchase an exceptional selection of fine art, festival goers can look forward to great live entertainment, an expanded, lively and fun Children’s Creative Zone. Again, this year the always-popular Galveston’s Farmer’s Market and specialty food vendors will be returning, with a new vendor – Black’s Fairy Meadery –offering a special honey wine from nearby West Columbia.
Plus, entertainment for this year’s ARToberFEST will also be very special – featuring hardpan artist, Andrew Baker, and acoustic guitarist, Wayne Holt – performing daily from 3pm-5pm on the festival grounds.
Again this year, youngsters are sure to have a fun time, too! The Children’s Creative Zone – an interactive art activities area will be set up near The Grand 1894 Opera House – on the 21st and Postoffice Street block. Your children and grandchildren can look forward to creating their own masterpieces to take home, with activities led by high school students. In addition, there will be a special Young Collector’s Gallery. Open to children only, the Young Collector’s Gallery will showcase works by kids –for kids! The artwork will be priced at $5 per piece –to encourage youngsters to begin their own art collection. This special gallery will be open from 12 noon – 3pm both Saturday and Sunday. It’s important to note that all the art for the Young Collector’s Gallery was created and donated by the LaMarque High School Art Department, with proceeds dedicated from gallery sales to support the Daisy’s Friends Fund at The Grand 1894 Opera House. (This project provides funding for disadvantaged students to be able to attend a Serious Fun Children’s Series Performance at The Grand.)
ARToberFEST admission is $5 for adults; children under 12 free. A portion of admissions will benefit the Educational Outreach Programs of The Grand 1894 Opera House. For additional information about ARToberFEST, contact Festival Director Sarah Piel at 409.770.5066, 800.821.1894 or via email at spiel@thegrand.com. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, The Grand 1894 Opera House is located at 2020 Postoffice Street in Galveston’s historic downtown Cultural Arts District, and recognized as ‘The Official Opera House of the State of Texas.’ All major credit cards accepted.
