FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contacts:
Anna Salim, Open Arts Fest Co-Director, 303-449-3774, anna@downtownboulder.org
Terri Takata- Smith, Communications Director, DBI, 303-449-3774, (303-725-1421 cell), terri@downtownboulder.org
Boulder’s premiere juried arts festival features a wide array of visual wonders
Boulder, Colorado [July 8, 2014] – On July 19th and 20th, the Pearl Street Mall will host over 100 artist booths featuring stunning collections of original artwork in a variety of mediums during Open Arts Fest presented by Daiya. This fine arts festival highlights 56 Colorado-based artists in addition to artists from 20 other states. Works range from jewelry to handcrafted wood & furniture, photography, sculpture and more.
This year marks the fourth anniversary of OpenArts collaboration with Downtown Boulder, Inc. (DBI). The two organizations first partnered in 2010 to reinvent DBI’s Art Fair – a summer tradition for over three decades. The collaboration has elevated the event to one of the region’s most prestigious open air art festivals. This year’s commemorative poster is a painting from Louisville, Colorado based artist, Anthony Grant titled, Bike #8. Limited edition signed giclee prints will be available at Art Source International (1227 Pearl Street).
“This year, we had over 300 submissions from artists around the country,” said Anna Salim, DBI’s Event Director. “Each year, the event attracts more and more of the most talented artists imaginable. Because of our intimate setting, the jury has to be extremely selective which means that attendees will be browsing the best of the best.”
Clementine Studio is once again on board to help foster the love of visual arts in children. The studio will host a kids' art activity tent where kids will have the opportunity to explore their inner Monet. Frequent Flyers and Fractal Tribe will entertain audiences with aerial dance performances and other acrobatic feats that will astound and delight kids of all ages.
Admission to the festival itself is free. Every Saturday and Sunday (year round) city of Boulder parking garages are free. For a list of the garage locations, visit www.BoulderParking.com. Open Arts Fest is presented by Daiya and sponsored by City of Boulder Parking Services, Daily Camera, 5280 Magazine & 9News. The event is supported by Eco-Products, Bridge House (Ready To Work), Hotel Boulderado, Securitas, Alfalfa’s, Sparking Ice and Eldorado Natural Springs Water.
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)
# # #