On August 16th and 17th, 2008, Garrison Art Center’s 39th Annual Fine Arts & Crafts Fair (ACF) continues its tradition as a premier event in the Hudson Valley for collectors of fine art and craft. Organized by Garrison Art Center (GAC), a not-for-profit community cultural organization, the event is a longstanding community event and an important annual fundraiser. High standards, and the beautiful Garrison’s Landing riverfront site, attract over 80 regionally and nationally known artists. Stately willows, views of West Point, the visiting Sloop Woody Guthrie, gourmet food artisans and wineries, delicious picnic options from GAC’s Food Tent & Grill, and remarkable crafts will likely attract over 8,000 visitors this year.
Parking is free and admission to the fair is $5 (children under 12 free).
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Juried work includes ceramics, basketry, jewelry, fiber arts, paintings and prints, woodwork, glass, toys, sculpture, metalwork, photography, decorative arts, gourmet specialty foods, & boat-building. WHO’S THERE? Review the 2008 Exhibitor List by visiting www.garrisonartcenter.org,
The ACF has additional, truly special events. During the fair visitors can enjoy the Acoustic Music Series (AMS) presenting performances by Swing du Jour, Tiki Daddy, The Ebony Hillbillies, and the Blue Vipers of Brooklyn. Maritime displays include hand crafted wooden kayaks by Riverschoolboats, and free Hudson River rides on the visiting Sloop Woody Guthrie. The GAC Food Tent & Grill has volunteers home-cooking something for everybody! You’ll find hamburgers, hot dogs, grilled eggplant, farm fresh salads and corn on the cob. Also Whitecliff Vineyards and other gourmet food artisans are in to provide their gourmet offerings.
GAC’s Gillete and Balter Galleries display artwork by students of the GAC Summer Art Institute. The Ceramics department and store are open with wheel demonstrations and ceramics for sale. GAC has invited in local community organizations to highlight their programs including Scenic Hudson, the Beacon Sloop Club, and the Cold Spring Area Chamber of Commerce. Best part of the Fair? Proceeds fund GAC’s terrific programming for adults and children all year!
GAC OPEN HOUSE
Want to know more about the Garrison Art Center (GAC)? GAC will have a Membership and Information Tent through the weekend. Futhermore, GAC’s galleries and Ceramics Department are open! Visitors may review artwork by students of the GAC Summer Art Institute in the Gillete and Balter Galleries.
Accessed from the fair grounds, the Ceramics Department, will be open with wheel throwing demonstrations and ceramics art for sale. Additionally, the Studio Shop continues to be open during the event, with pottery by ceramic studio artists for sale.
MARITIME DISPLAYS
Maritime displays include hand-crafted wooden kayaks, available to order through new exhibitor Riverschoolboats. The Beacon Sloop Club will be in with the Sloop Woody Guthrie providing free Hudson River rides throughout each day. Scenic Hudson is visiting to highlight their work to protect the natural beauty of our valley, and the unique character of our communities as well.
GREAT FOOD
With tables to sit at, and picnic sites by the river, the GAC Food Tent & Grill has something for everybody! You’ll find hamburgers, hot dogs, grilled eggplant, farm fresh salads, corn on the cob and more! Visiting gourmet food artisans are in with their treats as well including: Pocono Kettle Korn, (with smoothies too), Go-Go Pops (unbelievable popsicles), Krazy for Kazu’s (gourmet bottled dressings and sauces), Beth’s Farm Kitchen (preserves), Dutch Desserts (fruit tarts), Hummingbird Ranch (honey, maple syrup and related products), & Whitecliff Vineyards.
ACOUSTIC MUSIC SERIES PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
(Made possible through the generous underwriting support of The Garrison and Scenic Hudson)
SATURDAY, AUGUST 16th:
Swing du Jour
South Stage: 10:30am - 1:30pm
Award winning veterans of Roxbury, CT’s Pickin’ and Fiddlin’ Contest, Howie Bujese (violin) & Norman Plankey (guitar) are Swing du Jour, playing their upbeat jazz inspired by the music of Django Reinhardt.
Tiki Daddy
North Stage: 2:00pm - 5:00pm
Hawaiian-inspired 1920’s and 30’s jazz tunes played by Art Labriola (steel guitar), John Harms, (guitar & ukelele), & Al Hemberger (bass)
SUNDAY, AUGUST 17th:
The Ebony Hillbillies
South Stage: 10:30am - 1:30pm
Norris Bennett, Enrique Prince, Bill Salter, and A.R. are one of the last black string bands in America. Their 19th century string band sound, consisting of fiddle, banjo, washboard and bass fiddle, was popular in the 1920’s and 1930’s, and was a key element in the genesis of jazz and virtually everything after!
The Blue Vipers of Brooklyn
North Stage: 2:00pm - 5:00pm Billy Nemec (acoustic guitar, lead vocals), Christopher Pistorino (upright bass), David Langlois (washboard percussion), & Sam Hoyt (trumpet) form this early jazz, swing and blues band. Their repertoire of witty songs from the 1920’s and 30’s is augmented by original tunes with moving yet often bawdy lyrics, and catchy 4-part vocal harmony.
Popularity: 23% [?]
