ARTfest
We look forward to seeing you at the 16th ArtFest on Saturday, the 24th of August, 2024!
For now, read on about 2023's event:
ADJUSTED LOCATION:
We have moved ArtFest
to the other side of Main Street --
just as lovely and shady, but with more room!
The fifteenth ArtFest will take place on Saturday, August 19th, between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. surrounding the monument on the Square and down Market Street in downtown Bloomsburg, with more than sixty art and craft and fine food vendors and local non-profit partners -- more than ever before! -- with live music by local performers all day and fun activities for people of all ages.
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See below for the full line-up of vendors, non-profit partners, and music.
The event provides a lively, comfortable atmosphere for the general public to see art, meet and talk with artists about their studio practices, and purchase fine artworks. Attendance has grown by 100% since the move to the Square in 2017; in 2022, at least 3000 people attended.
2023 promotional video
Downtown Bloomsburg has plenty of parking; you need to feed the meters 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday, and in addition to coins you can now also pay through the PANGO app; to sign up, go to mypango.com.
Downtown Blooomsburg, Inc. (DBI), the non-profit organization devoted to the betterment of Bloomsburg's downtown commercial district, founded ArtFest in 2009; The Exchange, a non-profit dedicated to bringing the arts to all communities throughout our region, has produced the event since 2016; and the Town of Bloomsburg has provided the venue and support services each year. Both DBI and The Exchange look forward to other events -- both in-person and on-line -- that our fellow citizens can enjoy safely; for more information, please visit DowntownBloomsburg.org and elsewhere here at ExchangeArts.org. For more information about the Town, please visit BloomsburgPA.org.
Downtown Bloomsburg, Inc. founded ArtFest and provides ongoing support.
ArtFest is supported in part by the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
ArtFest receives promotional support from the Columbia-Montour Visitors Bureau and Seven Mountains Media
2023 art and craft vendors:
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Bill Kassel Fine Art -- gouache, acrylic, and oil paintings
James Grimsley -- pottery
Born Too Late Tie-Dyes -- clothing and accessories
Laurabee Studios -- recycled metal jewelry
Leslie James Studio -- leather
Laughing Fox Studio -- mixed media
Beadweaver's -- hancrafted jewelry
Donna Shaffer and Bob Drogan -- sculpture and furniture
Oakrun Earthworks -- handbuilt pottery
Fly Me Home -- handmade and upcycled accessories and decor
Windy Hill Woodturning -- hand-turned wood items
Rock Reborn -- guitar-string jewelry
Lisa's Gone Shopping -- Furoshiki fabric carryall bags
Lightsinger Images -- photography
Young Customs -- cigar-box guitars
The Children's Museum -- kids' activities
Fishing Creek Watershed Association -- container garden contest
River Poets -- hands-on poetry
The Exchange's Art Cart -- all-ages fun
Cats in Bloom -- activity for all ages
Susquehanna Greenway Partnership -- regional information
Bloomsburg Public Library -- hands-on fun
The Women's Center -- information and activity
Action Together -- voter registration
Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble -- all-ages fun
Columbia County Historical Society -- information
Wesley United Methodist Church -- sidewalk chalk
Misho Fluid Art -- resin art
Bohemian Cat Designs -- handmade jewelry
Zenchaser Bonsai -- plants and related products
burkhART and Design -- watercolors and acrylics
Myriads by Melissa -- jewelry and accessories
Avery Hills Studio -- jewelry, leather, and fabric
Eternal Image -- charcoal, graphite, and markers
Chickadee Threads -- stained glass
Tower Mountain Studio -- silver and argentium jewelry
Camille Moser -- mixed-media canvases and comic books
Mindfully Made Mama -- fiber arts
The Muddy Kiwi -- one-of-a-kind pottery
Designs by Billie Jean -- handmade jewelry
Gail Fox Fine Art -- paintings and jewelry
DODO Realistic -- acrylic paintings
Sew Crafty & Co. -- everything sewn
Bad Kitty Knits -- fiber accessories
Inspired Designs by Liz -- leather, metal, and bead jewelry
Apple Creek Alpacas -- alpaca yarn and fiber
Dani Reber Art -- watercolors and prints
The Essential Apothecary -- bath/bodyaromatherapy
West Wind Jewelry -- gemstone and dried-flower jewelry
Nottingham Bonsai -- bonsai
Juliet's Balcony -- fiber art and mixed media
Mockpie Studio -- fiber art
Mandala Jewelry -- button bracelets
Garman's Woodworks -- scroll-saw-cut items
Happybeadz -- jewelry
Robin Vergari Art -- watercolor, acrylic, prints
Cheryl Bower Glassworks -- one-of-a-kind glass
Harris Woodcraft Designs -- handmade hardwood and epoxy items
​LZG Beaded Designs -- beaded jewelry and suncatchers
R. H. Brown Photography/Premier Studios -- photography
​Steve Martz -- paintings, drawing, prints, and stickers
English Hill Books & Art -- children's books and framed artwork
​​Sara Baker Handmade Stoneware -- high-fire functional stoneware
Download event guide here.
2023 food vendors:
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Heier's Home cooking -- chicken & waffles & more
The Gingham Table -- simple ingredients, no preservatives
Project Pizza Company -- mobile pizza
Fourth Taco -- American takes on world cuisines
Dida's Incredible Edibles -- ice cream
Shpoppy Shawn's Shmoked Cheese -- big smoke flavor
Brandywine Branch Distillers -- craft spirits & ready-to-drink cocktails
2023 music/entertainment schedule:
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Raven Creek Bluegrass, 10 a.m. and noon
Ukrainian dancers, 11 a.m. (at the Monument)
Kat Holdren, 11 a.m.
Prairie Dogma, 1-3 p.m.
Kerry Kenny Band, 3-5 p.m.
