Arts & Entertainment Community
Summer Art Festival returns this weekend
After a two-year absence, the Summer Art Festival returns to Judson Street in downtown Gig Harbor this weekend.
Arts & Entertainment Sponsor
Arts & Entertainment stories are made possible in part by the Gig Harbor Film Festival, a proud sponsor of Gig Harbor Now.
Sponsored by the Peninsula Art League, the festival hosts more than 100 artists and craftspeople from throughout the Northwest. They will show and sell their paintings, yard art, photography, ceramics, glass, leather, wood and other offerings.
Literature, food and more
Local poets, authors and book-illustrators will be showcased at the festival’s Literary Corner. Nineteen writers will be featured, according to local author Larry Fowler, who coordinates the Literary Corner.
A scene from a previous year of the Peninsula Art League’s Summer Art Festival. Charlee Glock-Jackson
“There will be mysteries, thrillers, historical fiction, fantasies and a local boutique publisher of books written by authors from under-represented segments of society,” Fowler said. “And several children’s authors will be on hand to meet with the community and sell autographed copies of their work.”
Food trucks will have barbecue and gourmet hotdogs for sale, and youngsters can find fun things to do in a special just-for-kids area staffed by Curious by Nature Preschool.
Artists will record the scene in on-the-spot paintings, and artwork will be on display in the nearby Timberland Bank branch Saturday and Sunday.
Glass floats on display at the Summer Art Festival. Charlee Glock-Jackson.
On Saturday, festival-goers can show off their creativity on the sidewalks during “Chalk the Harbor” – a maritime-themed event presented by the Downtown Waterfront Alliance. Sign-up and get a supply of chalk at the registration table near the intersection of Harborview and Pioneer Way, just a block from the festival.
All activities are free. The arts league is providing free shuttle service every 15 minutes between the festival site and the Franciscan Medical Center parking lot on Kimball Drive.
A mosaic guitar for sale during a previous Summer Art Festival.
Post-Covid return
“We’re very excited to bring the festival back after being cancelled for two years,” PAL President Colette Smith said. “It’s time to appreciate and embrace the arts once again, because the arts promote wellness in our daily lives and bring us together as a community.”
In the past, out-of-town visitors have scheduled their Gig Harbor vacations to coincide with the festival, she added.
This is the festival’s 36th year as Peninsula Art League’s primary fundraiser. The league shares proceeds with the community through art shows, workshops and other events. Funds also provide scholarships for PAL members and local high school students who want to continue their art education.
PAL received a lodging tax grant from the city to defray some of the costs of producing and promoting the festival, Smith said. Timberland Bank is also supporting the festival.
Work for sale during a previous year’s Summer Art Festival.
Want to go?
What: Peninsula Art League’s 36th Summer Art Festival takes place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, July 16; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 17.
Location: Judson Street in Gig Harbor’s waterfront district
Info: All activities are free and open to all. Park at the Franciscan Medical Center on Kimball Drive and take the free shuttle.