Allied Arts of Whatcom County announces the La Bella Strada Arts Festival and the Chalk ArtFest August 9th and 10th on Cornwall Street in Bellingham, Washington.

Bellingham, WA (EMWNews) August 4, 2008 — Since 1979, Allied Arts of Whatcom County has worked to provide opportunities for local and emerging artists to showcase their work throughout the community and to foster an environment where the arts are appreciated and supported. They are proud to bring to town once again this stimulating community celebration of the arts – La Bella Strada Arts Festival (Italian for Beautiful Street) and the beloved Chalk ArtFest.

La Bella Strada

Take a stroll through the cool tree-lined streets of Bellingham, browse and buy the finest arts and crafts, have the chance to talk with the artists and see the beautiful chalk art sidewalk masterpieces. La Bella Strada Arts Festival features over forty local and regional artists selling only the highest quality arts and crafts including painting, jewelry, ceramics, metal and wood arts, photography, glass, fiber arts, and much more.

Our first ever libation garden, the ART BAR sponsored by Boundary Bay Brewing, the Honey Moon and Mt. Baker wines will be situated near the Main Stage. Key words for the ART BAR are local, zero waste and sustainable. Come see the work of Kuros Zahedi who will be designing our sign and bar with recycled materials, gelatin cups that are biodegradable and beverages served out of kegs including the wine. Mt. Baker has a new and innovative dispensing method eliminating bottles. We’re going green and having fun doing it!

3rd Annual La Bella Strada Arts Festival

Downtown Bellingham on Cornwall

Saturday, August 9, 10am – 6pm

Sunday, August 10, 11am – 5pm

The 16th Annual Chalk ArtFest

Saturday, August 9, 10am – 3pm

Registration is on-line at www.alliedarts.org

Chalk ArtFest

Join us August 9th for the 16th Annual Chalk ArtFest that begins at 10am. with the awards ceremony taking place at 3:00pm on the Main Stage. Our emcee will be Jason Quick the One-Armed Juggler – Amazing Juggling and Spoken Word that Astounds and Inspires people of all ages. Judging the chalk art will be City of Bellingham Mayor Dan Pike, State Representative Kelli Linville, and City of Bellingham Arts Commission Chair Alexander Wiley. Preregistration is suggested since spaces may sell out.

Featured Artists for Chalk ArtFest 2008

Steve Platt 3-D Chalk painter has been a featured artist at the Chalk Art Festival in Salt Lake City, Vancouver’s Chalk On the Walk Festival, and 6th Street Gallery’s Street Painting in Prosser.

Stained glass artist Sharon Swanson translates her love of color onto the sidewalk in a brilliant display of tessellation patterns. Sharon Kingston uses oversized scale in her chalk art and Ellen Clark teaches watercolor and illustration techniques. Her chalk art will be vibrant and imaginative.

Music Line-Up at the Main Stage

August 9

11am   Karen FitzGerald – Picturesque Piano Music

Noon   Rick Brugger – Caribbean Steel Drum

1pm   The Otters – Fun Jazz

2pm   David Weiss & Friends – World Beat Jazz

3pm   Chalk Art Awards Ceremony with Jason Quick the One-armed Juggler as emcee

4:30   Thomas Harris Saxtet – Jazz, Latin and Funk

August 10

Noon   Rick Brugger – Caribbean Steel Drum

1pm   Fritz & the Freeloaders

2pm   Stone Soup – Americana

3pm   The Walrus – Classic Rock Energy

4pm   Mhuri Marimba – African World Beat Marimba Band

Contact for the events:

Kristie Lundstrom, Festival Manager

360-676-8548 x 2

Kristie @ alliedarts.org
www.alliedarts.org