The annual Eastern Oregon Arts Festival is set for May 6-7 and will feature music, dance, food and lots of art.
Metal artist Chris Huffman of Hermiston will be creating a sculpture during Saturday at the festival. The Open Group Art Show is a returning feature this year, and will be judged with $1,500 in prizes awarded to participating artists. The Festival’s Open Group Show will open Friday evening at 5:30 p.m. with music, light refreshments and beverages available.
OSU Master Gardeners will be presenting demos on garden topics, answering your garden questions, and selling their favorite garden plants. Hermiston’s Own Farmer Market will be on-hand at the Festival with their fresh produce and favorite vendors, plus check out the demo stage for a variety of demos and informative talks by local experts.
The weekend kicks off on Friday evening, May 6, with an Artist Reception, live music and the opening of the Open Art Show from 5:30–7:30pm under the Big Tent on Second Street and Gladys Avenue in front of City Hall. The evening event cost $10 to attend and includes meeting the artist and juror, live music, and light refreshments. Beverages will be available for purchase.
Events on Saturday begin at 10 a.m. with a day of entertainment for all ages of music, dance and fine arts including artist booths packed with hand-made jewelry, ceramics, photographs, prints and paintings for sale and for viewing. All activities Saturday are open to the whole family and are free. Saturday’s line-up of activities include: Children Art Activities-fun hands-on activities for children of all ages, bouncy houses, horse-drawn carriage rides, live entertainment, and of course, garden and art shopping!
Professional artists from around the region will showcasing their artistic creations in the Festival area, in the Big Tent, and in downtown business during the Eastern Oregon Arts Festival on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be a mix of artistic styles that people of all ages can relate to and be moved by; from realism to modern, watercolors to photography and many others in between. Artists will be on-hand to share with the public about their creative vision and process that creates their unique and original art.
In addition, the Two Rivers Correctional Institution will have a group show of inmate art work hosted by the Grace & Mercy Lutheran Church. The show will feature a wide variety of mediums. Artists interested in showing their work or having a booth during the festival can register at the Desert Arts Council website.
