Contributed by: Anacortes Arts Festival, 2022
After a few challenging Covid years, the Anacortes Arts Festival is back stronger than ever – and looking to the future. In addition to producing the biggest show in town from August 5-7, we are leading an exciting effort toward having Anacortes designated as a state-recognized Creative District and building a new Arts Center in the heart of downtown.
Here’s a look at some new things for the 61st Festival August 5-7…visit our website www.AnacortesArtsFestival.com for more information.
Of the 250 booths, 25% are new to the Festival. Look for interesting new combinations of materials (like layered wood and colored epoxy), illustrative artwork printed on a variety of materials, and one-of-a-kind high-end pieces that push the bounds of traditional craft.
The return of the Waterfront Stage on the Port Dock will showcase Anacortes Music Project artists all day Saturday. The Manieri Foundation represented through the Anacortes Public Library partners with us in booking the great jazz and blues on the Jazz Stage on 10th St. Fidalgo DanceWorks will partner with us for the second annual Maryhill Wine tasting event Saturday evening in the wine garden during the Festival.
In this active area between 2nd Street and the Port, observe talented craftsmen from the Northwest Basket Weavers Guild, the Samish Carvers and Weavers, the Northwest Corner Woodworkers Association, and the Northwest Washington Woodturners – as well as individual masters of blacksmithing, marbling, chalk painting, stone carving, and chainsaw art.
Gone are the days of all carnival-like food booths lined up in a row. Your culinary tastes can be satisfied by a combination of booths, food trucks dispersed through the Festival – and the outdoor patio seating at our downtown restaurants. Likewise, with the explosion of craft beer and beverages, visitors can enjoy a wide variety of beer, premium wines, and popular cocktails in our three beer and wine gardens. At the Waterfront Pub on the Port dock, explore the variety of beverages now available in cans.
In our 16th year of partnering with the City Parks and Recreation, this run replaces the Art Dash and is all about fun. Dress as a pirate and we will provide an eye patch, bandana, and hook for this 5k and 10k (ish) – and kid’s 1-mile run. Costume awards and a kid’s treasure hunt at the finish line will enhance the pirate theme.
The Festival is purchasing the Anacortes Cinemas building on 4th Street and will be kicking off a capital fundraising effort to transform it into a Community Arts and Cultural Center. The facility will be a center for art activities, a cultural hub, an anchor for downtown Anacortes and a gathering & celebration space for our community and visitors.
It will function with collaborative stakeholders Fidalgo DanceWorks, ACT Theater, Anacortes Music Project, Anacortes School District, and the City of Anacortes. In the initial planning, activities will include dance, music, and art classes, film festivals and movies, after-school programs, performances, and community events. Living wage apartments are planned for the upper floor. This is scheduled to be a two-year project, with renovation starting before the end of the year.
If you would like more information; or to donate to this legacy project, please contact Meredith McIlmoyle at aafdirector@anacortesartsfestival.com.
Concurrent to the building project, we have been working for the last year on getting Anacortes designated as a Creative District through a state arts commission project. This designation would include us in a small group of cities within our state who recognize creative districts within their boundaries. The benefits of this designation include promoting the community’s creative identity to attract jobs in the creative sector, expanding access to state grants and resources, and opening up economic opportunities.
In its 61 years, the Anacortes Arts Festival has grown from a small-town arts festival into a respected regional art influencer. The one constant has been our commitment to the artistic life of this community. The time and opportunity feel right to lay the groundwork for the next step of building an arts center in the heart of town and cementing our identity as an arts-rich community. So, join us August 5-7 for the Festival and then stay tuned or jump on board for exciting work ahead.
