Festival of Arts
51st Annual Festival of Arts
July 20th and 21st, 2013
*New Weekend in 2013!
Applications available now! Download a 2013 Festival of Arts artist application (pdf)
The Chequamegon Bay is a special place for artists; Some choose to live here surrounded by the peace and beauty of the Northwoods, others visit seeking inspiration from the natural wonders of the Apostle Islands sea caves and Lake Superior. On the weekend of July 20th and 21st, the community will celebrate this unique connection to the arts during the 51st annual Bayfield Festival of Arts weekend. Events will include a live art auction, fine art vendors, and local gallery tours and demonstrations.
Over 90 artists from throughout the Midwest will gather on Saturday, July 20th from 10:00am to 5:00pm and Sunday, July 21st from 10:00am to 4:00pm at Bayfield’s 51st annual Festival of Arts. This juried arts & crafts show is held in Memorial Park on the scenic shores of Lake Superior in downtown Bayfield. Visitors will find a unique selection of pottery, painting, jewelry, sculpture, glass works, wood carvings, photography and more. Enjoy live music performances by festival artists and indulge in festival food while viewing stunning artwork by the lake. Take special notice of the blue “Best in Show” ribbons, which are awarded to artists in five categories, while browsing.
In addition to the festival by the lake, guests are invited to experience art in the making during the Festival of Arts Gallery Tour on Saturday and Sunday. Twelve Bayfield area galleries will welcome visitors throughout the weekend with open houses, demonstrations, and special sales as part of this gallery tour. Watch local artists perform wheel-thrown pottery techniques and witness silver smithing, painting and quilting demonstrations. Participating galleries in 2012 were: DONALEE DESIGNS Silversmith, Eckels Pottery and Fine Craft Gallery, Orchard’s Edge Quilt Shop, Bates Art Barn, Water Music Jewelry & Art, Stone’s Throw, Kerr Studio & Gallery, Oulu Glass, Bayfield Inn Art Gallery, Washburn Cultural Center, Native Spirit Gifts, and Bayfield Artists’ Guild. These events are free and open to the public.
Don’t miss the weekend’s kick-off event, the Chequamegon Bay Arts Council’s (CBAC) annual fundraising auction. This live art auction will be held at the Bayfield Lakeside Pavilion, dates TBD. Enjoy a cash bar and complimentary hors d’oeuvres, and live entertainment while previewing original art items reflecting a yearly theme. The auction preview and silent auction will take place from 5:30pm – 7:00pm, followed by the live auction beginning at 7:30pm. This is CBAC’s most important fundraising event, directly supporting grant opportunities that enrich the arts in the Chequamegon Bay region.
Bayfield has been named as one of the best places to live and work as an artist in “The Artist’s Magazine”, a national fine art publication. For more information please call the Bayfield Chamber at (800) 447-4094.
All events are free and open to the public.
The Bayfield Festival of Arts is a Travel Green Wisconsin certified event.
Applications available now!
2013 Festival of Arts artist application (pdf)
