Five Events You MUST SEE at Arts Fest 2014

By: Sarah Boha

July 9, 2014

Brainchild of Penn State University College of Arts and Architecture and the State College Chamber of Commerce in 1967; The Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts has been a summer tradition cherished by locals and art enthusiasts from around the world.  In fact, it’s estimated by the CPFA (Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts) that 100,000 people visit “Arts Fest” every year.  Here are five must see exhibits happening at the 2014 CPFA, July 10^th-13^th.

1.)Italian Street Painting

The Italian street painting exhibition has been taking place on the 100 block of Heister Street at CPFA since 1999.  Artists bring their chalk and unbridled talent to create baroque like artwork, celebrating the centuries old tradition from Europe.  The quality of these street paintings wows me every year; a must see!

2.)Silent Auction

Thursday July 10^th at noon; the Arts Fest Silent Auction is a must if you’re shopping the featured artists.  The auction doubles as a preview of the artwork that will be carried by each guest artist.  If you don’t get a chance to purchase artwork from the auction, you may want to write down your favorite pieces and the artist that created them to visit their booth during the festival.  A map of the artist’s booths for 2014 are online, http://arts-festival.com/booth-map.

3.)Sand Sculptures

These monumental sculptures of sand are an absolute must see for the whole family.  Sand sculptor, Greg Glenn, takes 25 tons of sand every year at Arts Fest and miraculously transforms it into life like creations, right down to the scales on a fish to the bulging veins on a football player’s hands.  Don’t miss this whimsical exhibit at Sidney Friedman Park this year at CPFA 2014.   

4.)Heidi’s Strudel

Walking in downtown State College, pondering your next art acquisition and sweating in the heat of July; you will inevitably find yourself craving nourishment.  Look no further than Heidi’s Strudel, located on Allen and Calder Way at the 2014 CPFA.  Among the food vendors to stop by and munch, this booth is a must; Apricot, apple, cherry, cheese, almond, strudels and fresh squeezed lemonade…need I say more?

5.)BookFest

Art isn’t the only work up for display at Arts Fest anymore.  BookFest is in it’s 5^th annual celebration of local authors and will be held at the Schlow Centre Region Library from 10am to 4pm on Saturday, July 12, 2014.  Get autographs from local authors, learn about writing and being published and get your hands on the latest reads for summer.  A must for any book worm.

This is just a tease of five wonderful events that happen at Arts Fest.  What are your favorite exhibits that you and your family will be seeing this year?

For more information, visit http://arts-festival.com/.