Artist Marlene Rye leads a pastel demonstration at a past Paradise City Arts Festival.
Photo credit: Paradise City Arts
NORTHAMPTON — The Paradise City Arts Fall Festival is once again returning from Oct. 11-13 at the Three Country Fairgrounds in Northampton.
More than an art show, the Paradise City Arts Fall Festival has become famous and well-loved in the region for its vibrant, multi-sensory experience brimming with stories to share.
The weekend festival features an assembly of 200 curated artists and makers from across the country, featuring handmade home décor, sculpture, fashion, jewelry and more.
Taking place inside the three airy, high-ceiling exhibition buildings, artists are not only there to showcase and sell their work, but some will also provide demonstrations of their crafts live, showing up close the details of hand-made works or the dynamic energy of the packed art fair.
“As we know, the Pioneer Valley in general has been so rich culturally. It’s got a very long history of the arts and performing arts and music as well. And so, we’re very lucky that word travels fast and the reputation has always been very strong so that we have artists and makers come from around the country, but then we still have such a strong rooted representation of the artists who live in the surrounding area,” said Paradise City Arts Show Director Mariah Swanson.
The Paradise City Arts Festival was originally founded 32 years ago by Geoff and Linda Post, local artists looking to create an event where artists and makers from all over could come showcase and sell their work.
“They were creating this platform for artists and makers to really meet their audience, and to be able to thrive and to grow. We’re a bunch of small businesses really at the heart of it,” explained Swanson.
The festival has expanded over the years to include a spring and fall version in Northampton, as well as in Marlboro.
The festival kicks off on Saturday, Oct. 11, at 11 a.m. and the day ends at 9 p.m. On Sunday and Monday, the festival opens at 10 a.m. and closes at 5 p.m. and 4 p.m., respectively. Swanson said this year, Paradise City Arts is collaborating with the Parlor Room Collective and Signature Sounds Recording to build out the musical offerings over the weekend.
“That Saturday we’ll open at 11 a.m. and artists and makers will be selling until 7 p.m., so everyone can come and shop. And then the food and the stage and the beer garden kick off at 7 p.m., and is playing till 9 [p.m.], where we’ll be featuring our headliner band The Whiskey Treaty Road Show. So, that’s going to be quite a fun Saturday night,” said Swanson. “People can come and stay out and hopefully this will attract a whole new crowd of people that might not have considered Paradise before, but now it’s just something for everybody.”
General admission tickets will be $18 and a three-day pass is $26. Ages 12 and under can enter for free. For advance tickets, visit festivals.paradisecityarts.com/shows/northampton-october-show.
This year’s special exhibit is titled “Back to Basics” which will feature works that explore foundational techniques and timeless artistry. On its website, Paradise City Arts calls the special exhibit, “an ode to true craftmanship,” and that it “refocuses on what Paradise City Arts is at its core.” This will take place in Building 2 at the fairgrounds.
One of the headlining activities going on during the weekend will be the return of “Crafting with Color,” a family-friendly option for all ages returning from the spring festival that allows children to have a variety of different activities to get hands-on with.
“The Mill District General Store & Local Art Gallery will be leading some incredible demonstrations as well. They’ll be in Building 1 and each day, at 2 p.m., they’re going to be having one of their artists that they represent lead an incredible process of their own medium, and then people can learn it and get hands-on with them as well. So, there’s going to be a lot of opportunity to get creative and play for all ages.”
The 12,000-square-foot Festival Dining Tent will also be the hub for the daily music lineups and a variety of dining options from Northampton’s restaurant and food truck scene. For more information on the artists, food and drink options and the schedule planned for the Paradise City Arts Fall Festival, visit festivals.paradisecityarts.com/shows/northampton-october-show.
The festival will also once again feature a silent art auction to benefit the International Language Institute of Massachusetts. The organization provides free English classes for new arrivals from all over the world to help them successfully integrate into the local community.
An array of donations by Paradise City Arts exhibitors will be available for open bidding each day at the Silent Auction Tables with 100% of proceeds directly supporting the International Language Institute of Massachusetts.
The weekend is set to be jam packed yet again and ready to roll on for another celebration of Paradise City and its arts. Swanson added, so much of the work and showcases to be featured over the weekend comes at a “premium caliber that blows people away” as many offered items are truly unique and collectible, and she hopes to see another great turnout for the weekend festivities.
“At the same time, being able to see how they’re being made, being able to experiment or play yourself, makes it feel accessible for everyone. Because it’s not meant to be exclusive, it’s meant to be inclusive. It’s meant to get everyone excited about it and it’s something we want you to come and really dive into.”
