The City of Williamsburg’s Economic Development Authority (EDA), in cooperation with The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, will host two new arts events on Saturday, October 2, 2010, the day before An Occasion for the Arts (AOFTA) annual juried art show, during the College of William and Mary’s busy Family Weekend, and before the popular Williamsburg Symphonia Under the Stars concert. An Occasion for the Arts Celebrates Contemporary Artisans and An Occasion for the Arts Celebrates Plein Air are designed to create a multiday event to encourage overnight visitation for the entire weekend and increase revenue for City businesses. Both events are free and open to the public.
An Occasion for the Arts Celebrates Contemporary Artisans
Contemporary artisans will demonstrate and sell their work on the lawn of Colonial Williamsburg’s DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum at the corner of Francis and Henry streets from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. To provide a link between today’s contemporary artisans and their 18th-century forebears, Colonial Williamsburg will offer free “Historic Trades” tickets that will allow visitors access to all Colonial Williamsburg museums and Historic Trade Shops. The tickets can be used either Saturday or Sunday.
An Occasion for the Arts Celebrates Plein Air
Plein air artists paint from life in the out-of-doors (“en plein air”), capturing moments in time that reflect the ever-changing colors, light and shadows, temperature and shifting elements. From 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., artists will have the opportunity to create “en plein air” in Colonial Williamsburg’s Historic Area and Merchants Square in the City of Williamsburg. From 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Duke of Gloucester Street at Merchants Square, the artists will sell the work they created that day just prior to the Williamsburg Symphonia’s “Under the Stars” concert at 5:30 p.m.
“One of the priorities of the EDA has been exploring ways to promote Williamsburg as a travel destination and to increase overnight visitation,” said Monty Mason, chair of the EDA. “An Occasion for the Arts, with the Williamsburg Symphonia Music Under the Stars concert, is already a very successful event with excellent brand recognition and a reputation for high quality. By partnering with Colonial Williamsburg and members of the business community, we are able to add two complementary events that will attract new audiences and add reasons for visitors – both new and returning -- to spend the entire weekend here. ”
“Colonial Williamsburg is pleased to partner with the City of Williamsburg to expand An Occasion for the Arts to a full weekend of activities,” said Colin Campbell, president of The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. “A special Historic Trades tour highlighting our own “artists in residence” along with a show of contemporary artisans on the lawn of our DeWitt Wallace Museum, expands the arts experience and underscores that Williamsburg is a rich historic and cultural destination.”
The new events are the result of a Community Task Force formed by An Occasion for the Arts with the encouragement of the EDA. It includes representatives from The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, the City of Williamsburg, the College of William and Mary, AOFTA, the Williamsburg Symphonia, the Greater Williamsburg Chamber and Tourism Alliance, and The Blue Talon Bistro.
An Occasion for the Arts Celebrations
Saturday, October 2, 2010
7:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Plein Air Artists throughout the Historic Area and Merchants Square
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Colonial Williamsburg Historic Trades “free admission”
10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Contemporary Artisans demonstrations on the lawn
10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Colonial Williamsburg Museums “free admission”
4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Plein Air Artist “Show and Sell” on Duke of Gloucester and Henry Streets
5:30 p.m. Williamsburg Symphonia’s “Under the Stars” concert on Merchants Square
An Occasion for the Arts
Williamsburg’s Premier Arts Show and Music Festival
Sunday, October 3, 2010
10:00 a.m. Colonial Williamsburg Fife and Drums open the Art Show
10:00 a.m – 5:00 p.m. Arts Show and Music Festival
Details about the two events are available:
www.yeswilliamsburg.com, www.colonialwilliamsburg.com, www.williamsburgsymphonia.org, and www.aofta.org.