Arts festival planning is coming along nicely, and it seemed like a good time to put out an update. We’ve got a number of great artists involved, including Andy Scott, who was a vendor at last year’s festival and is designing the festival poster and presenting a cartooning activity this year. Polish Hill resident and artist Carley Parrish is reprising her plaster hand-casting activity. We really like the idea of the festival being a place where visitors can make art; we hope to add a few more activities.
We also want the festival to be a place where you can hear many kinds of great music. We’re excited to have Timbeleeza, a fantastic Brazillian samba drum band, returning to the festival. And the Panther Hollow String Band have just confirmed that they will play. We’re still working on the rest of the musical program — we hope it will be as eclectic as in previous years!
The Immaculate Heart of Mary Church has confirmed that they will do a food booth with traditional Polish and American favorites. Their volunteers also do food for the church festival, which takes place the day before the arts festival, so they’re always really tired…we’re extra-appreciative that they’re willing to come out and spend a second day slinging pierogi and kielbasa for our festival. Another returning food vendor is Grasso Roberto Italian ices, who have a shop in Bloomfield.
We have many returning artist vendors, and some new arrivals, including Myra Falisz, with her P-Rogues characters that have been selling well at Urban Gypsy.
We’re still looking for vendors; artists and craftspeople are encouraged to get in touch. Here’s the 2011 vendor application and information sheet. The application deadline has been extended to May 30th.
If you’re interested in applying as another sort of participant — whether presenting an interactive artwork or an art or craft activity, or performing, please call 412.681.1950 or email us at phcapgh@gmail.com. We’re pretty open to any cool ideas, and we’d love to hear from you.
(photos from the 2010 Polish Hill Arts Festival: top: Carley Parrish and the plaster activity; middle: Timbeleeza; bottom: Nathan Mould with his t-shirts and paintings. Photos by Leslie Clague)
