|
History
How the Festival Began
The Bella Vista Arts & Crafts Festival was organized in 1969 by a
small group of members of the non-profit Village Art Club, Inc (VAC). Its
original purpose was to give members a place to show and sell their
works.
For many years the Festival was held in the Blowing Springs Park area
of Bella Vista. And it was a beautiful site. From an initial 25 exhibitors in Blowing Springs, the Festival has
grown into a major Fall event with about 300 exhibitors.
With the move to its present
site in 1996, the Festival was given the chance to grow. Attendance, too,
seems to grow every year, with an average of 28-30,000 visitors. Many visitors return every year, both to purchase high quality
original works, and to renew old friendships and see what's
new. The Festival is fully organized and run by volunteers, both
from the VAC and from the community.
The Village Art CLub, Inc.
The Festival is sponsored by
the non-profit Village Art Club, Inc., and all profits from the Festival go into the
Club to support its various activities. In addition to financial support
of the Club, funds also go to the Club's scholarship fund, support of The
Studio where classes and workshops are offered, and support of both the Wishing Spring Gallery and Gallery
West.
The Festival NOW
The volunteer
staff is already actively working on making this year one of the
best festivals ever.
Applications from last year's
exhibitors have been accepted, and new applications are coming in and
are being readied for jurying. The jury consists of five or six
members of the VAC who are called upon to view the applications and vote
on their approval. Approvals are sent out as soon as possible after
each jury session. Non-accepted applications are contacted and their
fees returned.
We have
approximately 300 booths at the Festival site.
We also have space for 14 food vendors.
Future of the Festival
The Village Art Club, Inc.,
proud sponsor of the Bella Vista Arts & Crafts Festival, is dedicated to
keeping the Bella Vista Festival as one of the premier festivals in the
country that features all hand-made or original works. As the word has spread about the quality of the Festival, exhibitors are now coming from all over the United States.
Our exhibitors tell us that the Bella Vista Festival is one
of the best organized and friendliest festivals they participate across the
country. Our entire team is committed to make that reputaion continue and grow!
The VAC and Festival appreciates Cooper Communities, Inc., for the
donation of the land where the Festival is held. This location offers a
wonderful opportunity to bring a great event to the Bella Vista area. With
the incorporation of the City of Bella Vista, it is expected that more
people will be coming into the area, and the Festival will be an addition
to the many exciting opportunities in the area.
The staff of the Festival is all volunteer, mostly from the Village Art
Club. However, several local organizations assist each year in running the
Festival. It would be impossible to do all that we do without these great
volunteers. And we get great support from the Bella Vista Police and Fire
Department, also. We thank all of them.
Email Us
|
