Paso Robles Festival of the Arts Reborn as Paso Artsfest
My earliest memories of the Paso Artsfest were during the period when it was called the Paso Robles Festival of the Arts. In 2014, it changed its name to the Paso ArtsFest, and so it remains. The arts festival changed its name to tie it more closely to Studios on the Park, its parent organization. Although the Main Event is in the Park on Saturday, a good part of it can be found across the streets at Studios on the Park.
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| Festival of the Arts, 2012, Sand Sculpture, © B. Radisavljevic |
Outside in the park, there seems to be music and activity everywhere. The music pulsates around you and your eyes are tempted to move in all directions because there is so much to see and do. Across the street at Studios on the Park, the mood is more like that of an art gallery and workplace, which it is. The music is quieter and more soothing. At least it has been very time I've been there. It's a great place to retreat from the bustle of activity in the park and visit with resident artists in their studios.
Here are a couple of shots of the 2012 Festival of the Arts within Studios on the Park. There's plenty to see, but it's more peaceful -- not to mention cooler.
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| Studios on the Park, 2012, Studio Exibit of Caroly Braun's Pastels, © B. Radisavljevic |
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| Studios on the Park, 2012, Studio of Laure Carlisle and W.B. Eckert, © B. Radisavljevic |
Festival of the Arts Memories and Photos, 2011 and 2012
The festival has changed a lot over the years. Some of my favorite exhibit events, like the musical petting zoo, appear to no longer be participating, but at least there will be a Hands-On Percussion activity. You can see the complete Musical Petting Zoo, and other popular 2012 activities in the children's zone about halfway through this video. I suggest you watch it full screen.
You can see and and hear an overview of the 2012 Festival of the Arts in this Walk Through the 2012 Festival of the Arts. It includes both photos and videos.
One thing I missed last year was the environmental zone. Although I never did see how it was connected to the fine arts, I did enjoy the chance to see the birds of prey and the native plants up close. Photos below are labeled with year taken.
Below is one photo from the Native Plants exhibit. It was here, at the previous year's exhibit, I discovered one of my favorite reference books, A Californian's Guide to The Trees Among Us, after taking a guided tour of the trees in the park with the book's author, Matt Ritter. Several books about native plants, including the trees, were on display both years.
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| Native Plants Exhibit, Festival of the Arts, 2012, © B. Radisavljevic |
Below is a kestrel from an exhibit of birds of prey. I believe it was sponsored by Airstrike Bird Control, a service for natural control of birds that attack vineyards.
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| Kestrel, Festival of the Arts, 2011, © B. Radisavljevic |
Here's a peregrine falcon chick from the exhibit. It had been rescued.
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| Peregrine Chick, Festival of the Arts, 2011, © B. Radisavljevic |
For more memories of the 2011 festival, check my blog post written right after it: Paso Robles Festival of the Arts 20911 has Left the Park, but not My Heart
Paso ArtsFest 2015
I had health issues last year that kept me from spending my usual full day at the ArtsFest. As it turned out, it didn't matter. Some of my usual stops had been dropped from the exhibitors. One was the previously mentioned Musical Petting Zoo. It was a wonderful way for children to get a hands-on acquaintance with most common musical instruments. For 2016 it appears it will be replaced by an all percussion version. Meanwhile, come along as I try to find it last year: My Search for the Musical Petting Zoo at the 2015 Paso ArtsFest
I did find one activity that I had never noticed at previous festivals, but maybe it's because I'd skipped two years. Here's a photo of the Paint Pyramids in 2015.
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Paint Pyramids, Paso Artfest 2015, ©
B. Radisavljevic
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What is your favorite memory at the Paso ArtsFest or any other Festival of the Arts? Is there any exhibit you especially look forward to or miss now? Please share in the comment box below after the sharing buttons. This last photo is just the right size for Pinterest.
Note: This post is now historical. The art festivals in the park have been discontinued. Studios on the Park could not keep sponsoring them.
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