2010 STOCKLEY GARDENS FALL ARTS FESTIVAL

There’s an art to creating community. It takes art. Music. Food. Laughter. A willingness to work together. Most of all, it takes vision.

For more than 25 years, Hope House has been the vision behind the Stockley Gardens Arts Festival. And now, the free twice-yearly event is a community tradition. Each year, on the third weekend in May and October, more than 25,000 people flock to Stockley Gardens in Norfolk’s historic Ghent neighborhood to browse through jewelry, pottery, paintings, and other works of art. The park is full of strollers and dogs and tantalizing smells. Music wafts from the stage. Friends stop to chat. And throughout the weekend, there is a feeling of hope. Together, the two festivals draw more than 50,000 visitors a year.

The money raised during these events helps us assist with housing, transportation, medical needs, and various other necessities for people with developmental disabilities in Hampton Roads. But the events themselves benefit the entire community, by providing an opportunity to enjoy art, music, food, and friendship in a beautiful outdoor setting.

All day Saturday and Sunday, approximately 150 artists exhibit a wide variety of media, including painting, sculpture, ceramics, jewelry, photography, and many others. In addition, there are children’s activities, live musical entertainment at the main stage, and food vendors from across the region. Each year, a nationally recognized artist or curator judges the artists, who compete for the festival’s cash prizes. College and high school students exhibit their artwork at the Student Exhibit and compete for prizes. (College students exhibit during the fall show; high school students, in spring.) The award winners are announced during the Artists’ Reception, which is held Saturday evening.

We’re proud to give the community one of the best outdoor arts festivals in the area. In fact, the Stockley Gardens Arts Festival has been featured in Richmond-based 64 Magazine as "One of the 64 reasons we love Virginia!" So don’t miss the upcoming Stockley Gardens Arts Festival. It’s a good time, for a good cause.

Kids’ Activities, Music Schedule, & Artists’ Reception

Kids’ Activities
All activities listed below will take place at the Children’s Stage. The Children’s Stage is located in the middle of the park (B Block), near the center circle.

Saturday, October 16, 2010
10:00-2:00 p.m.
Abrakadoodle/Hands on Art for Kids

2:00 p.m.
Bobby the Clown/Magic Show and Balloon Animals

3:00 p.m.
Marquita Lyons/ Dance Performance

4:00 p.m.
STAHR Suzuki Violin Group (Academy of Music)/Strings

Sunday, October 17, 2010
Noon-4:00 p.m.
Sara Clapper/Hands on Art for Kids

2:00- 3:00 p.m.
Bobby the Clown/Magic Show and Balloon Animals

4:00 p.m.
C Shells/Music for Kids

Music Schedule
All musical acts listed below will take place at the Main Stage, located at the top of the park (A Block) near Olney Road.

Saturday, October 16, 2010
10:00 a.m.
Lori Shapiro/Acoustic

11:00 a.m.
Billy Williams/Jazz

12:30 p.m.
HM Johnson Band/Blues/Rock

2:00 p.m.
Ampersand/ Alternative/Rock

3:30 p.m.
Corporate Woods Drive/Acoustic/Rock

5:00 p.m.
The Loud Shapes/Alternative/Rock

Sunday, October 17, 2010
12:00 p.m.
Narissa Bond/ Folk

1:30 p.m.
Jim Newsom Quartet/Jazz

2:45 p.m.
Skip Friel Band

4:00 p.m.
Fat Tony Band/ Blues, Swing, & Everything

For more information, contact Elena Montello Berry.

In addition to live music provided by talented musicians, food vendors remain open for the reception, and beer, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages are available. This rockin’ outdoor party provides a great chance to have fun and mingle with both patrons and artists.