2nd Annual Holiday ArtFest
“Celebrate the Second Annual Holiday Artfest with The Upstage Gallery and Jayhawk Theatre”
More than 40 local artists and businesses join together in Topeka’s first European Tradition Christmas Market
As the Topeka art world continues to grow, The Upstage Gallery and Jayhawk Theatre bring the second annual Holiday Artfest to the December First Friday Artwalk to celebrate the holidays in the tradition of a European Christmas Market. The Holiday Artfest is one major event held to feature talent of artists in the form of music, dance, and visual arts in an effort to showcase the diverse creative offerings that exist in Topeka. On December 2nd, 2011 from 5-9pm, Holiday Artfest will take place in the Jayhawk Towers in the heart of Downtown Topeka and will be offering gifts of original art $1- $200.
Holiday Artfest is enjoying its second year of successfully gathering such a large group of local artists, entertainers, and businesses in one of Topeka’s biggest historical buildings. This year’s Artfest will be bigger and better than the first with a full line up of do not miss artists and entertainers with highlights on a 6pm portrait unveiling to the public of State Representative Ann Mah and State Senator Laura Kelly taken by International photographer Robert Ash. Representative Ann Mah and Ted Daughety will be in attendance.
Showing in The Upstage Gallery for the event and month of December include local, regional, and international artists: Robert Ash, Angela Lexow, Freestate Glass, Pam Renovato, Randy Fay, Jan Jennings, Joe Williams, and Mary Anderson. The Upstage Gallery in Collaboration with the Jayhawk Theatre, Jayhawk Corner Café, and Parrish management will transform the Jayhawk walkway and Florentine room into a Christmas market that will showcase additional talents as well as Topeka merchants to include: Solo Peru, Washburn University Student Group-UMCOR-UUMC, The Merchant, Irie Tribal Dance, Faith, Hope, Love Photography, Patricia Kovalchuk, Barb Quaney, Linden Wilson, Eileen Turnbull-Coughlin, Randy Fay, Dianne Gates, Beth Cain, Washburn University Student Group- PEAPP, Cindy Brewalt Crow, Kala Hisel, Nichole Woodward, Robert Ash, Edna Coyle, Katie Hanshaw, Celia Smith, Wild Things Studio, Topeka Designs, Morgan Fay, Nutcracker/ Ballet Midwest, Fine Jewelry by Oshara Hayes, and Cindy Slope/ Dunie Horse Splash. Entertainment to include: Musicians; Daniel Mangiaracino, Backroads, Jim Phelps, Livid, Brad Renner, Tara’s Grace and Dance Companies: Irie Tribal Dance Company with special guests Basharaat Dance Co., and Ballet Midwest/ Nutcracker.
Gathering multiple art forms with a spotlight held on visual arts and a goal of providing attainable artwork for the every day citizen, Holiday Artfest’s intent is to bring quality art and entertainment to all art lovers in a festive setting. “We realize how important the revitalization of Downtown Topeka is and wish to encourage buying locally for this holiday season to support our local artists and businesses.”
For more information, contact The Upstage Gallery at 785-233-4295
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