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| Frederick Festival of the Arts By Charles Grimes II |
| Frederick, MD: The 6th Frederick Festival of the Arts, held this past June, had its best year ever. According to exhibitor surveys, the artists at the show did better financially than they have ever done. Meanwhile, the attendance reached almost 20,000 people. Next year, organizers plan to increase the promotions and advertising budget for the already highly publicized event to draw an even bigger crowd. This juried fine craft and art event is slated for June 3 - 4, 2000, at Carroll Creek Linear Park. Up to 135 exhibitors will be on hand, competing for several show awards. Very diverse entertainment is provided from three stages. Festival times are 10 am - 7 pm Saturday and 10 am - 5 pm on Sunday. General admission is $4. Though the festival has done well since the beginning, it continues to grow every year. Organizers want it to be a unique educational, entertainment, and shopping experience with something for everyone. Coordinator Diana Foor said, "We try to set up the festival with high quality in mind. We want it to be a major mid-Atlantic event with a slightly different flavor every year. We try to have a dynamic festival of all the arts. It has been consistent over the years and the word seems to be getting out. Every year we get applications from farther and farther away. We try hard to bring back successful exhibitors and to bring in new artists." Veteran production potter Bill Van Gilder has exhibited at Frederick every year and has even served as an adviser for the festival. Bill commented, "The organizers designed a show different from other events. They look not only at the quality of exhibitors but also at the entertainment, venue, educational, and other aspects. The key people consult with crafters about how to do a good show. The exhibitors are treated very well and there are always plenty of organizers walking around offering help, such as booth sitting. Last year I made an effort to build a really nice booth and bought a double space. This really paid off. Also, the venue is the most attractive place I've ever done." The adage of the Frederick Festival of the Arts is that it is "a creek side celebration of the arts." The show takes place in the middle of historic Frederick in a park with Carroll creek running through the center. Exhibitors are set up under white tents on both sides of the canal, as young people float by in kayaks and canoes. Customers amble through the show under covered walkways. About 12 high quality food vendors offer a broad variety of cuisine. The kids' stage located near the art activity area features clowns, jugglers, and magicians. The other stages offer theater groups, literary activities & readings, and music by jazz, pop, & folk bands. Two professional artists are brought in to do distinctive craft demonstrations throughout both days. Exceptional students stock a special "high school gallery booth" with work. Busy hand weaver Pamela Bartl-Batts does about 20 shows a year and has exhibited at Frederick since the beginning. A couple times in the past she actually served as a member of the jury. Pamela stated, "The setting is extremely pleasant which makes for a wonderful ambience. The overall energy is very good. The festival draws a mixed crowd from all over the region and elsewhere, including a lot of professional couples from metropolitan areas. Everyone with the festival recognizes the exhibitors as valued professional artists and crafters, not just retail vendors. The organizers are very aware of what we need and what doesn't work since artists are on the board of directors. They do listen and try to make our lives as easy as possible. They are very well prepared and make the festival better every year." The initial application deadline for exhibitors was January 31. All applicants must provide 5 slides of work and 1 of the display for the jury process. All work must be original and no retailers, kits, or commercial products are permitted. Also, not more than 50% of the exhibitor's work may be reproductions. The festival provides tents and a Sunday breakfast to the exhibitors. Booth fees are $275 for a 10' x 10' space, $375 for a 10' x 15' space, and $450 for a 10' x 20' plot. Corners cost an extra $75. Electric may be obtained for a $40 fee. For more information contact Diana L. Foor, Frederick Festival of the Arts, 8 East St. #101, Frederick, MD 21701; (301)694-9632 E-mail: festarts@fred.net Web Site: www.frederickarts.org. |
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