Media Contacts:
Gina Solomon Kristin Chapman
Market Vice Chair External Publicity
gms728@gmail.com mkchap@comcast.com
2014 WESLEYAN ARTIST MARKET: SOARING HIGHER! “It’s not just a Market…it’s an experience” ATLANTA, October 2013 -‐ The upcoming 16th annual Wesleyan Artist Market (WAM), themed “Soaring Higher,” is set to run from May 1st to May 3rd in Yancey Gymnasium. The space will be artfully transformed into a multi-‐level exhibition hall for the event. The Artist Market is a treasured tradition and highlight of the spring season and will celebrate the works of 75-‐85 professional artists from throughout the region. As always, visitors can expect to enjoy a broad selection of original artwork in a variety of mediums and price points, including oil paintings, acrylic paintings, jewelry, water color, ceramics, photography, mixed media, pottery, floral arts, textiles and other home décor items. Last year, Wesleyan hosted many regionally celebrated artists, and this year should be no exception. The Artist Market Committee excitedly released the artist applications on-‐line and in the mail earlier this month. Applications are starting to come in now, and with great anticipation, Wesleyan looks forward to announcing the line-‐ up of very talented, emerging and established artists in late January! Just like last year, Wesleyan hopes to engage the entire community as they celebrate the arts. Students will be preparing an all-‐school theme related art project to be displayed at the Market. According to Market Chair Judy Beaman,“ we want to highlight the artist in everyone and demonstrate the incredible beauty that can be created when we work together.” In addition, there will be live entertainment throughout the duration of the three day Market. Opening Night, guests will be treated to the professionally honed talents and melodious sounds of Judy Boehm & Brent Whiten from Class Act Band. Friday, May 2ndand Saturday, May 3rd will include a full line-‐up of performances from students, parents, faculty and friends. Guests can look forward to performances by instrumental, choral, and percussion classes, dance and musical theater groups, as well as the Chapel Band and individual musicians and vocalists. Wesleyan is also hoping that the Market will inspire the visual artists in its students. In addition to the professional exhibiting artists, Wesleyan students will be invited to apply to show their own artistic works in a student section that will enthusiastically display and celebrate their talents. Last year, the student artists featured everything from creatively sewn hair accessories and clothing to jewelry, artwork, and home décor items. The school is hoping that even aspiring culinary artists will be in the mix again for 2014 with another wonderful selection of baked treats for sale. Like all of the other artists in the Market, the students will be donating 25% of their sales to benefit the fine arts programs at Wesleyan. “It’s a great opportunity for these kids to focus on their artistic passions
and learn a little bit about the business side of art at the same time,” says Beaman. “They will be asked to complete an official application and will have to decide how to display, price and market their wares at the student booth. We hope it will encourage their interest in the arts and be a great learning experience for all of them.” Furthering the goal of broad community engagement in this event, Wesleyan takes advantage of the Artist Market forum to host its Fine Arts Circle of Honor induction ceremony at the Market’s Opening Night Celebration. Started in 2009, the Circle of Honor was created to show appreciation and recognition to members of the Wesleyan community who have made significant contributions to Wesleyan Fine Arts. Through their activities, honorees have influenced their communities in the fine arts, academics, and service while at the school and following their graduation. “We are excited to honor those who have set such fine examples in the arts at Wesleyan,” according to Director of Fine Arts Meg Foster, “and hope that our current students will be inspired by their stories.” 2014 Circle of Honor inductees will be announced later in the year. To engage even the youngest art lovers and aspiring artists in the community, the Wesleyan Artist Market also features a Children’s Market that will take place at peak hours on both Friday and Saturday afternoons. The Children’s Market is free and offers fun activities such as face painting, crafts, sand art, temporary tattoos, and the always popular crazy hair. Wesleyan parent and student volunteers will staff the Children’s Market and look forward to welcoming gas many young friends and neighbors as possible. Middle School theater ambassadors will even be there as costumed characters and available for photos with the younger guests. “We hope this is a time for members of the community of all ages to come together,” says Beaman. “The art on display is more than just a great shopping opportunity for adults; the artists are an inspiration to children, and we hope entire families will come out and spend at least a few hours with us enjoying the art, entertainment, children’s activities, and the great joy and spirit of artistry that fills this event.” Critical to the success of the annual Artist Market is the hard working and engaged corp of parent volunteers that work closely with Wesleyan’s faculty and administration to successfully grow the Market every year. Additionally, the Wesleyan Arts Alliance, which raises funds through the Wesleyan Artist Market, celebrates and supports Wesleyan School’s commitment to the arts and shares the belief that the arts are both a tremendous avenue for self-‐expression and an important part of every child’s development. The school invites you to join in the community celebration May 1st-‐May 3rd, and hopes that everyone will find at least one opportunity during the three day run of the Market to stop in, visit and thank all of the exhibiting artists, supporting performers and volunteers as they “Soar Higher” in 2014! For more information on the Wesleyan Artist Market, please go to www.wesleyanartistmarket.org. ### www.wesleyanartistmarket.org
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