It’s not just adult fun. It’s little kid fun and family dog fun.
“I looked through hundreds of photos of the Coupeville Arts & Crafts Festival and I was struck by how much fun people we’re obviously having,” Coupeville painter James Moore said. “You could see it in their faces.”
Moore is the winner of the 2011 Coupeville Arts & Crafts Festival poster art contest. His prize painting shows a little girl holding onto her two pups alongside side her parents and the colorful festivities.
“Somewhere in that twilight when you’re not quite asleep and you’re not quite awake it boiled down to me that the concept of the kids and the dogs was really important,” Moore said. “I painted the final image and it kind of caught on. It still brings a smile to my face.”
Moore’s vision of multi-generational (and species) enjoyment will likely be brought to life next weekend as thousands of people crowd downtown Coupeville for the 48th annual event.
Friday night’s art gallery opening and wine reception will kick off the festival at 7 p.m. at the Coupeville Recreation Hall. The juried gallery, sponsored by the Pacific NorthWest Art School, will feature work spanning from sculpture and photography to jewelry and watercolor. Italian and Thai restaurants Ciao and The Cove will provide refreshments and Bayleaf wine will be available.
“It’s something we do each year to celebrate the artists,” event co-chair Carol Rice said. “Our part is to provide the party … People come just to see all of their friends and some people come to stand and look longingly at the art. Most of it gets sold by the time the weekend is over. It’s a whole lot of fun.”
Hundreds of artisans and vendors will line Coveland, Alexander and Front streets Saturday and Sunday.
The Moran family of Burlington has been setting up a booth at the festival for many years for its company Bubble-Up Girlz, Inc. Laney and Misty, a mother-daughter duo, make bath and body products from scratch for men, women, pets and babies.
“Whidbey Island is always a beautiful setting to host a festival in the summer time,” Misty said on behalf on the duo. “The Coupeville show has great vendors, no commercial stuff and all handcrafted … Islanders and tourists alike should visit our booth. They will have a great time smelling candles and trying lotions and laughing. We have smells that range from Orange Dreamsicle to Dirty Hippie (smells like incense).”
The Artists in Action tents will be in full-swing until an hour before the festival closes each day on the northwest corner of Alexander Street. People are invited to watch the artists as they work and to interact with them and ask questions. Additionally, nine bands will provide entertainment throughout the two days.
For the first-time ever, a beer and wine garden hosted by the Central Whidbey Chamber will be on-site featuring wines from the Whidbey Island Winery. The wine garden will be located in the Rec Hall parking lot from noon to 7 p.m. on Saturday and from noon to 3:30 p.m. on Sunday. People are invited to stop by for a refreshing glass and relax under the shade of an umbrella.
Grace and North Main streets will be closed for the festivities. A free shuttle will run from the Coupeville Ferry dock to the corner of Eighth and Alexander streets.
Parking information, festival maps and a schedule of entertainment acts and children’s activities can be found online at www.coupevilleartsandcraftsfestival.org. A listing of food vendors, artists in action participants and booths is also available online.
Mark your calendar
The 48th annual Coupeville Arts & Crafts Festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 13, and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Aug.14. An art gallery opening and wine reception will be held Friday night, Aug. 12, at 7 p.m. at the Coupeville Recreation Hall. For details, visit www.coupevilleartsandcraftsfestival.org.
