FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contacts:
Anna Salim, Open Arts Fest Director, 303-449-3774, anna@downtownboulder.org
Terri Takata- Smith, Communications Director, DBI, 303-449-3774, (303-725-1421 cell), terri@downtownboulder.org
Boulder, Colorado (July 12, 2012) – From whimsical and modern sculptures to traditional watercolors and oils & more, Open Arts Fest is like a beautiful outdoor gallery nestled in the heart of downtown Boulder on the renowned Pearl Street Mall. Artists will travel from the Boulder & Denver metro areas and throughout the U.S. to exhibit and sell pieces to experienced collectors, as well as enthusiastic newcomers. Attendees will be able to peruse sculptures in metal & recycled materials; handcrafted wood & furniture; paintings in acrylic, oil & watercolors; ceramics; jewelry; photography and glass in a variety of styles from abstract to Impressionistic, functional and decorative.
Sponsored by Toyota, City of Boulder Parking Services, 9News, 5280 Magazine, KUNC radio, Open Arts Fest showcases works from over 100 artists in this juried event. A collaboration between Downtown Boulder, Inc. (DBI) and OpenArts, the event takes place July 21 from 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. and July 22 from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. In addition to artisan booths, Clementine Studio will host a kids' art activity tent and WoW Bubbles will give attendees the chance to walk on water without getting wet. There will also be a silent auction benefiting the Gary Zeff Fund for Arts Education & Ed Links, as well as daily arts demonstrations. BOLD DOORS (a community based art exhibition & juried competition) will also display works and have artists on hand for live demonstrations.
“With all the new attractions, Open Arts Fest has kept the best of our long-running Downtown Art Fair and added so many reasons to check it out,” said Sean Maher, executive director of Downtown Boulder. “While the quality of the art is better than ever, we have definitely not lost the fun factor.” Added, Festival Director Anna Salim, "The art is juried for quality and originality. We think that we have brought together some amazing artists for this year's event."
Admission to the festival itself is free. Tickets for WoW Bubbles can be purchased on site. Every Saturday and Sunday, City of Boulder Parking Garages are free. For a list of the garages, visit www.BoulderParking.com.
On Thursday, July 19 the Open Arts Fest Preview Party will take place from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at the Canyon Gallery (Boulder Public Library) – 1000 Canyon Blvd. The party (catered by Three Leaf Concepts) will preview many of this year’s Open Arts Fest artists and all art on display there will be available for purchase throughout the entire festival. The preview is free and the public is welcome to attend.
About Downtown Boulder Incorporated
Downtown Boulder, Incorporated (DBI) is a non-profit organization, founded in 1984, dedicated to continued preservation, promotion and enhancement of Downtown Boulder as the heart of the greater Boulder community. With a mission to maintain Downtown as the center of commerce, government, culture, and leisure, DBI’s membership supports the overall vitality of Downtown through public advocacy, political involvement, and by producing year-round community events that enhance the Boulder experience for residents and visitors. (www.boulderdowntown.com)
About OpenArts
In 1995, founder and former executive director (now retired) Gary Zeff had an idea to start a local non-profit visual arts organization that would allow the public to meet and see artists in their own studios. His passion, which remains with OpenArts today, is to educate the public about the importance of arts and arts education in our increasingly technical, impersonal world. OpenArts mission is to provide an educational opportunity for the community to gain a broader understanding and appreciation of the visual arts through the personal experience of meeting artists in their private studios and other forums. (www.openartsboulder.org)