THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, May 13, 1995 TAG: 9505130023
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TERESA ANNAS, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Long : 331 lines
Let's invent the perfect shopping trip.
We'll make it outdoors, in shorts-and-sundress weather. Set it in the shade, by the water - a place with character and atmosphere.
The vendors will be laid-back and chatty, real inventive sorts.
And they'll only sell art.
This consumer nirvana exists: The season for art alfresco kicks off today with the Ghent Art Show at Norfolk's Town Point Park. Historic Hilton Village in Newport News also hosts an exhibit today, though on a smaller scale.
That's just the start. There's a show nearly each weekend through October, popping up in every region and on every scale, from the casual Seawall Art Show in Portsmouth on Memorial Day Weekend to the gyrating Newport News Fall Festival in October.
The granddaddy of them all - the nationally-known Virginia Beach Boardwalk Art Show - celebrates its 40th anniversary in mid-June, with 450 potters and painters and printmakers lining the Oceanfront.
Dress is relaxed, from shorts to bathing suits. Mingle with the artists; haggle, if you dare. Some artists expect to encounter bargain-hunters, but many find that tactic rude. Try to feel them out first.
A final note: Try not to say unkind things in front of the art. That person standing next to you just might be the artist who created it.
24th Annual Ghent Art Show, hosted by and benefiting Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia
Dates: today and Sunday
Hours: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily
Location: Town Point Park, Norfolk waterfront
Artists: 200 artists from across the nation
Ambience: Park setting overlooking the Elizabeth River
Entertainment: One stage will offer continuous music and performances.
Parking: Plenty of parking within a four-block radius, free and metered.
Attendance: 50,000
Best time to go: There's less congestion in the early mornings
Food: A food court with picnic tables featuring local vendors offering a range, including vegetarian. The show is next to Waterside Festival Marketplace, which houses many food outlets.
Call: 624-1333; for more information, call InfoLine at 640-5555, then dial 7469.
Third Annual May Faire Art Celebration, hosted by the Hilton Village Merchants Association
Dates: Today
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Location: on the sidewalks in Hilton Village, at Warwick Boulevard and Main Street, Newport News
Artists: 40 local artists will exhibit painting, art furniture, photography, sculpture, handmade jewelry, pottery and more.
Ambience: A community festival set in an historic neighborhood.
Entertainment: Live music throughout the day.
Parking: Free parking in the surrounding residential section.
Attendance: 8,000
Best time to go: For the best selection, go in the morning. However, some artists will haggle late in the day.
Food: Vendors will sell seafood, funnel cakes, hot dogs, ice cream and more. Plus, four church bake sales.
Call: 596-9324
11th Annual Stockley Gardens Spring Arts Festival
Hosted by and benefiting Hope House Foundation
Dates: May 20 and 21
Hours: Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 6 p.m.
Location: Stockley Gardens Park, Stockley Gardens and Olney Road in the Ghent section of Norfolk
Artists: 140 artists from all over the nation will exhibit painting, photography, sculpture, handmade jewelry, printmaking, ceramics and more.
Ambience: A grass-roots festival set in a picturesque residential park. Free programs with a map of artists' locations distributed at the information tent at Boissevain Avenue.
Entertainment: Music and other performances each day, starting at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, 12:15 p.m. on Sunday. Includes jazz, acoustic and blues. Main stage is near Olney Road. Children's activities.
Awards ceremony: An artists' reception is from 6 to 8 p.m., with awards announced at 7 p.m. on the main stage.
Parking: Plenty of free parking in the surrounding residential section, but expect to walk a few blocks.
Attendance: 18,000
Best time to go: For the best art selection, go Saturday morning. For the smallest crowd, head there late Sunday.
Food: Thirteen food vendors will offer a tasty, healthy assortment. Ice cream, fruit drinks, veggie pitas.
Call: 625-6161
25th Annual Seawall Art Show
Hosted by The Portsmouth Museums
Dates: May 27 and 28
Hours: Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 6 p.m.
Location: On the lawn around Portside, downtown Portsmouth
Artists: 81 East Coast artists
Ambience: Casual, festive waterfront setting geared to families and couples
Entertainment: Live music both days. Hotel Paradise Roof Garden Orchestra plays at 3 p.m. each day. An art show benefit is set for 6:30 p.m. May 26 at Amory's Wharf, downtown Portsmouth; $12 admission includes buffet and live cajun music.
Parking: Parking in Harbor Court Garage by Portside and at Signet Bank's lot. Plus, parking on street.
Attendance: 12,000
Best time to go: Peak crowds are from noon to 3 p.m.
Food: Portside Marketplace, adjacent to the show, has numerous vendors. Plus, restaurants are nearby.
Call: 393-8983
12th Annual Pungo Strawberry Festival Arts and Crafts Show
Dates: May 27 and 28
Hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. both days
Location: Princess Anne Road and Indian River Road, in Pungo section of Virginia Beach
Artists: about 115 craftspeople from all over the nation
Ambience: Casual, slice-of-Americana, non-alcoholic festival, geared to the family.
Entertainment: Music, pig racing, pony rides, a carnival, Civil War encampments and other period groups.
Parking: Plenty of parking on site; $4 per car. Also, shuttle service ($2 round trip; ages 5 and under free) from Virginia Beach Municipal Center on Princess Anne Road.
Attendance: 150,000
Best time to go: It's least crowded on Sunday morning and late afternoons.
Food: About 40 local vendors selling a wide range, including many strawberry items: shortcake, milkshakes, non-alcoholic daiquiris and ice cream.
Call: 721-6001
Arts in the Park
Hosted by Newport News Parks and Recreation
Date: May 21
Hours: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: Newport News Park, at Jefferson Avenue and Fort Eustis Boulevard
Artists: about 30 local craftspeople
Ambience: A woodsy park setting, casual and family-oriented
Entertainment: Live, family-oriented music all day, including acoustic. Also children's activities.
Parking: Plenty of free parking
Attendance: 2,000
Best time to go: any time
Food: Local charities will host food booths with hot dogs, sandwiches and snacks.
Call: 247-8451
40th Annual Virginia Beach Boardwalk Art Show
Hosted by and benefiting the Virginia Beach Center for the Arts
Dates: June 15 to 18
Hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily
Location: Along the Virginia Beach Boardwalk, from 15th to 32nd streets
Artists: 450 artists from across the nation. Expect the full range of fine arts and crafts, from quilting to jewelry to painting.
Ambience: The Oceanfront setting is casual and festive, with art patrons in bathing suits and sundresses. Programs offering a map of the show are available at information tents at 20th, 24th and 28th streets.
Entertainment: Live music from noon each day at the 17th and 24th Street stages.
Parking: Plenty of parking, both on the street and at municipal lots at 19th and 25th streets and Pacific Avenue and on Atlantic Avenue at 30th Street. A private lot also at 15th Street and Oceanfront.
Attendance: 350,000
Best time to go: To avoid crowds, go Thursday, Friday, or any morning.
Food: Twenty-four vendors offer a multi-ethnic range from 23rd to 25th streets and from 16th to 17th streets.
Call: 425-0000
King Lincoln Music Festival
Hosted by Newport News Parks and Recreation
Date: August 6
Hours: 3 to 8 p.m.
Location: King Lincoln Park, 6th Street and Jefferson Avenue, Newport News
Artists: about 20 local craftspeople
Ambience: The show is set in a scenic park
Entertainment: Live jazz and other music all evening, with local and regional acts. Bring lawn chairs or a blanket. Children's activities.
Parking: Plenty of free parking
Attendance: 1,800
Best time to go: early evening, when it may be cooler
Food: Local vendors selling hot dogs, hamburgers and baked goods.
Call: 247-8451
Princess Anne Art and Craft Festival
Sponsored by Virginia Beach parks and recreation
Dates: Aug. 5-6
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day
Location: Princess Anne Park, Landstown and Princess Anne roads, Virginia Beach
Artists: 80 to 100 artists and craftspeople. Emphasis on fine art crafts.
Ambience: Part of a family-oriented festival.
Entertainment: Live music, including jazz and blues, and other performances each day. Plus, children's activities.
Parking: Plenty of free parking
Attendance: 35,000
Best time to go: all day long; it's a shady, spacious environment.
Food: Local vendors will offer hot dogs, hamburgers and snacks.
Call: 471-5884
Chesapeake Bay Art Association 33rd Annual Outdoor Art Show
Date: Aug. 19-20
Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily
Location: Ocean View Park, Ocean View Avenue near Granby Street, Norfolk
Artists: About 100 East Coast artists and craftspeople
Ambience: A picturesque park overlooking the Chesapeake Bay
Entertainment: Live music each day, including classical guitarist Robin Welch and the U.S. Continental Army Band.
Parking: Plenty of free parking on Ocean View Avenue near show.
Attendance: several hundred
Best time to go: Mornings, when it's less crowded and cooler. Celebrity art auction at noon Aug. 19.
Food: Local vendors will offer a range, including veggie pitas, barbecue and frozen desserts. Plus, numerous restaurants nearby.
Call: 588-4805
The Kings Way Art Show
Part of the Hampton Bay Days festival
Dates: Sept. 8-10
Hours: Friday, noon to 7 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sunday, 1 to 6 p.m.
Location: On Kings Way in downtown Hampton
Artists: more than 60 artists and craftspeople from all over the country
Ambience: Part of a festival celebrating the Chesapeake Bay.
Entertainment: Five stages featuring national and local acts geared to the family will be set up in downtown Hampton.
Parking: Visitors are encouraged to park at Hampton Coliseum (just off exit 263B on Interstate 64) with shuttle service ($1 round trip) provided; $2 parking fee; or, park and walk from Hampton University (exit 267 off I-64).
Attendance: 250,000
Best time to go: Come early for the best selection.
Food: About 40 vendors will offer a wide range; plus, downtown restaurants will be open.
Call: 727-6122
Neptune Festival Art & Craft Show
Hosted by and benefiting the Virginia Beach Center for the Arts
Dates: Sept. 29-Oct. 1
Hours: Friday, noon to 8 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Location: Virginia Beach Boardwalk, 18th to 29th streets
Artists: About 275 artists and craftspeople from all over the United States. Emphasis on crafts.
Ambience: Part of a citywide festival; visitors come with a partying attitude.
Entertainment: Music and other special events are planned throughout the Oceanfront area; call the Neptune Festival office, 498-0215.
Parking: Plenty of street parking, plus municipal lots at 19th and 25th streets and Pacific Avenue; and at 26th and 30th streets at Oceanfront.
Attendance: 350,000
Best time to go: Friday and mornings are quiet, but weekend afternoons are more festive.
Food: Neptune Festival vendors will be set up along the Boardwalk; also, plenty of restaurants nearby.
Call: 425-0000
22nd Annual Newport News Fall Festival
Hosted by Newport News Occasions, a division of Newport News Parks and Recreation
Date: Oct. 7 and 8
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily
Location: Newport News Park, Jefferson Avenue and Fort Eustis Boulevard
Artists: 200 artists who work in traditional crafts
Ambience: A family-oriented event in a shady, 100-acre site.
Entertainment: Four stages feature traditional entertainment, including folk, bluegrass, blues, country, storytelling and dance. Also, children's activities.
Parking: Plenty of parking nearby; $4 per car.
Attendance: 40,000
Best time to go: With so much shade, it's pleasant all day; best selection on Saturday morning.
Food: 30 multi-ethnic food vendors on site.
Call: 247-8451
An Occasion for the Arts
Date: Oct. 1
Hours: 10 a.m. to sundown
Location: On Duke of Gloucester Street in Merchant's Square, Williamsburg
Artists: 94 artists and fine crafts
Ambience: A festival atmosphere with Colonial Williamsburg as a backdrop.
Entertainment: Ten stages will offer continuous performances starting at noon. Hot air balloon rides, weather permitting.
Parking: Free parking in vicinity
Attendance: 20,000
Best time to go: The earlier you come, the easier it is to park.
Food: Volunteers will sell barbecue, hot dogs, ice cream, snacks, etc.
Call: 220-1736
The 1995 Stockley Gardens Fall Arts Festival
Hosted by and benefiting Hope House Foundation, which provides support for area people with disabilities.
Dates: Oct. 14 and 15
Hours: Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.
Location: Stockley Gardens Park, Stockley Gardens and Olney Road, Ghent section of Norfolk
Artists: 140 artists from all over the nation, working in all media
Ambience: Casual setting in a lovely, residential park with plenty of shade.
Entertainment: Music and other performances each day, from jazz to folk. Also, kids activities.
Parking: Plenty of free parking in vicinity
Attendance: 16,000
Best time to go: Saturday morning for best art selection, or late Sunday for least crowds.
Food: Local vendors will provide a range.
Call: 625-6161
Crabtown Festival of the Arts
Sponsored by Downtown Hampton Unlimited and Blue Skies Gallery, Hampton, and benefiting the Peninsula SPCA Humane Society
Date: Oct. 21
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Location: downtown Hampton on Queens Way (take exit 267 off Interstate 64)
Artists: about 100 regional artists and craftspeople
Ambience: Casual, family-oriented celebration of the arts in downtown Hampton, site of the oldest continuous English-speaking settlement in America.
Entertainment: Live music and other performances throughout the day.
Parking: On street parking, plus three city-run garages.
Attendance: 5,000
Best time to go: Go early for the best selection.
Food: Numerous downtown Hampton restaurants are nearby.
Call: 727-0028 ILLUSTRATION: Color illustration by John Corbitt.
KEYWORDS: ART CALENDAR OUTDOOR ART SHOW by CNB