For more information, see the original post announcement.

You can’t celebrate spring in Danville without Festival in the Park. What began as a small community event in 1974 has since grown into a three-day family friendly festival. Held annually in May, the festival offers everything from arts and crafts to children’s activities and entertainment.

Eligibility Criteria
All work must be original in design and presented by the maker (original artist or craftsman). Items made from kits or manufactured items are not allowed. If your items are found to be manufactured, you will be asked to leave and will not receive a refund. This year, we are providing limited indoor space for Fine Arts Vendors. Please submit one photograph showing all items to be displayed. Do not send samples; they will not be returned. The application must be signed and fees must be paid in advance in order to participate (see entry form).

The deadline is April 4. Any questions, contact Briana Brill, brianaleebill@gmail.com.

YOU DO NOT WANT TO MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY! REGISTER TODAY!

ONLY 4 Spaces left for March 24 afternoon workshop and 6 Spaces left for Plein Air Workshop on March 25.

March 24th: Free Morning Demonstration from 10:00-12:00pm
March 24th: Afternoon Workshop from 1:00-4:00pm
$50 members
$60 non-members
Lunch is provided for workshop participants

March 25th: Afternoon Plein Air Workshop from 1:00-4:30pm
Location to be determined (It will be in the Charlotte/Matthews area)
(Please note a full refund will be issued if we have bad weather!!)
$45 if you participated in the Saturday Afternoon Workshop
$50 members
$60 non-members

Questions contact Anne Strutz: annestrutz65@gmail.com

From PSNC member Debbie Rasberry —

Ever since I first picked up a pastel, I have dreamed of visiting beautiful places to drink in the scenery and to paint en Plein air. I have pictured myself in the gorgeous Tuscan countryside, easel set up and pastels ready to capture its glorious beauty. I have also dreamed of seeing the art masterpieces by Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Botticelli, and so many others first hand. I love experiencing other cultures – their customs, cuisines, and their rich history.

Well, folks, that dream may be realized sooner than later. Tony Hedrick, a fellow pastelist, has been taking groups to European countries for many years. His company is focused on missionary work globally, and he travels extensively and frequently throughout Europe and Asia. As a Pastel artist, though, he would love to host a pastel painting trip to Italy. Tony knows Italy like the back of his hand, and he would customize a trip that would be friendly to both artists and non-artists, traveling to the most scenic parts of Tuscany and Umbria, Parma, Cinque Terre and possibly the Amalfi Coast, as well as the cultural and historical centers of Rome and Florence, including Citta Di Castillo and Cortona. The journey would not only provide plenty of quality time for plein air painting, to satisfy the artists, but it also includes daily opportunities to experience the finest cuisine in each region, exploring towns and cities at your own leisure, shopping, visiting local market places, experiencing the historical sights and art museums and interacting with locals, experiencing their culture first hand.

Essentially, this is a tour designed specifically for artists, with plenty of time to paint in different regions, but is also a pleasure trip of Italy for spouses and non-artists. An art and food trip to Italy… it’s my dream come true!!

All accommodation, transportation (not including air travel), activities, private guide services and meals are reserved by Niteo Tours, and Tony plans to host us. We are looking at a trip in the spring of 2019.

If you are interested, and have additional questions, please email me. You do not have to commit, I am just looking to see who may be interested. I want to extend this offer to all 3 Pastel societies of North Carolina. If you’d like to know more, Niteo Tours has some beautiful brochures of previous trips that I can send to you.

Tony and I also discussed getting together in April for an afternoon or evening presentation of the areas we’ll be visiting, and we can also weigh in at that time with the specifics of the trip.

I would love nothing more than to share this trip with my favorite Pastel artists!!!

Labor Day Weekend – Friday August 29th through Sunday, August 31st.

Romare Bearden Park in Uptown Charlotte (3rd and Mint) was completed Labor Day Weekend of last year and is now Charlotte’s premier urban park. To commemorate this civic achievement and the life of one of our native sons Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation is hosting a weekend-long festival. We have a wonderful line up of music, dance, arts and other activities planned. The event will feature local and regional acts and will be free to the public. Attendance could range from two to six thousand throughout the event.

The Art Walk will take place:
Friday, August 29th; 5pm – 8pm
Saturday, August 30th; 10am – 6pm
Sunday, August 31st; noon – 4pm

Contact Danielle Maddox <danielle.maddox@mecklenburgcountync.gov> for more details if interested.