ArtBeat returns to downtown Chemainus for a second year beginning Friday, June 28.
Friday night festivities debut for summer 2013 with a “Hat Night” where visitors are encouraged to “don their most outlandish headgear,” states an ArtBeat press release.
Hat Night kicks off ArtBeat’s 10-week summer run, returning every Friday night from late June through to the end of August.
ArtBeat’s Phil Mavis said that organizers “were thrilled with the response to last year’s ArtBeat, so we’re just going to tighten up a few things and build on the success of what was a much-talked-about event that Chemainiacs and visitors seemed to really enjoy.”
One small change for this year’s iteration of ArtBeat includes a later start to Friday-night entertainment showcases. ArtBeat’s feature entertainment will take to the stage at 8:15 p.m. to allow visitors more time to “check out the artwork, listen to the buskers, do some shopping and then sit back and relax for a few minutes,” Mavis explained.
Painters, sculptors, potters and photographers who participated in last year’s event were pleased with the public’s response to ArtBeat and many are returning for a second year to take part in a an event that showcases Island talent.
ArtBeat has signed up a talented cast of artists for year two, but they’ve yet to fill their roster.
Local artists are invited to participate for the 2013 season, ArtBeat’s Peggy Grigor said, and anyone interested in signing up should visit the ArtBeat website for more details.
Last year’s ArtBeat “brought the south block of Willow Street to life last summer,” said Mavis. “It was great to see people grooving to the music, dancing in the street and marvelling at all the talents. We know it’s going to be bigger and better in 2013.”
For more information on ArtBeat contact Phil Mavis at 250-246-2434 or Peggy Grigor at 250-416-1411.
