Lillian Barocio
Staff Writer
The Claremont Lewis Museum of Art presented FestivArts on Saturday at the Padua Hills Theatre.
FestivArts, formerly known as the Art Fiesta, included an art showcase, arts and craft demonstrations, creation station activities, a book sale, live music and sale of original works from artists along with festive foods as they celebrated their 20th year.
With over 1,000 visitors and over 50 artists from the area showing their original artwork in the historic building and amid the olive grove, the venue buzzed with the enjoyment of art.
“I like how they integrate nature into the event, all of the trees really add to the aesthetic and the way they have the artists interwoven into nature is really cool,” Bira Mason, Claremont resident, said.
The art and craft works included a variety: handmade jewelry, oil paintings, stained glass, ceramics, prints, weavings and woodwork.
“I enjoy making something beautiful that other people can enjoy looking at,” said Karen Warner, a painter whose work was featured.
“I am inspired by my Native American art from our reservation, so I explore a lot of motives that are important to our culture. I am inspired by art embroidery and weaving, so those sorts of things come out a lot in my practice,” said Brittany Kiertzner, a multimedia artist, who also showed her work at the event.
“This is my first time volunteering here and I am also very active in the art community so I enjoyed being able to teach people how to paint, especially the kids,” said Mahalia Crawford, who worked the event.
Arts and crafts demonstrations were presented by local art organizations such as The Arts Area, Benton Museum of Art, CLMA’s Project ARTstART, Tierra del Sol and the Ontario Museum of History and Art.
Creation stations offered art activities for kids and families such as quick step by step painting tutorials.
The music stage at the event featured local live performers.
And visitors enjoyed tacos and burritos along with other foods and refreshments, such as pastries, wine and craft beers, served on the terrace with a beautiful hillside view.
FestivArts is sponsored by Ryan Zimmerman and Mason Prophet of Concierge Realty Group, Stark Wealth Management and Wheeler Steffen Sotheby’s International Realty.
Lillian Barocio can be reached at lillian.barocio@laverne.edu.
Lillian Barocio is a sophomore journalism major and a staff writer for the Campus Times.
