Gratitude is the Theme for 21st Annual Shoreline Arts Festival

More than two decades after the annual event was started, its organizers plan this year’s around gratitude.

The Shoreline Arts Festival will take place this weekend on both Saturday, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m., and Sunday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. And although its organization will be similar to past years, its focus will be on its newest theme—Artitude.

“It’s been a tough year for a lot of arts institutions, so we feel very fortunate and grateful for such a strong community backing,” said Kellee Bradley, the public relations manager for Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Arts Council.

She explained that the theme means Art with Attitude of Gratitude. And added that “this year will be better than ever.”

The theme is demonstrated through Constance Perenyi’s art piece, which won the honor of being used as the festival’s poster.

Perenyi, a resident of Shoreline for the past 26 years and currently the executive director of Third Place Commons, has produced art in a range of mediums since graduating with a degree in it from Colorado Women’s College. 

 “This is the first work I’ve done in a while. It feels really great to be back with an Exacto blade in my hand,” said Perenyi.

She explained that she had already been thinking about things she was really grateful for before hearing about the art festival theme, so the piece has a lot of personal meaning for her.

Besides Perenyi’s art being featured on the festival’s posters, she also donated a piece for the Gala auction.

The yearlong process of putting this event together was almost completely thanks to volunteers, donations and sponsors. But they are still looking for more volunteers, so if interested contact the Arts Council office: 206-417-4645.

There will be five main areas to the festival on both days: Cultural Rooms, Shoreline Room Stage, Juried Art Shows and Artists Marketplace booths, Showmobile Stage and the Children’s Hands-on Art Arena.

• Cultural Rooms:

There will be exhibits featuring Pacific Islander, Samoan, Korean, Japanese Philippine, Taiwanese and Chinese works. And at 1:30 on Saturday and 2:30 on Sunday, there will be a Philippine Parade.

• Shoreline Room Stage:

Throughout the festival’s two days, this stage will have an abundance of performance groups. These include groups from the city (Shoreline Senior Singers) to ones from many different continents (Baile Glas Irish Dancers, Filipiniana Dancers, Melody Institute Chinese Dance and many more).

• Juried Art Shows and Artists Marketplace:

There will be more than 60 booths where artists will sell a wide assortment of original pieces. People are also encouraged to view the Juried Arts Show, which has pieces created by all ages, in both 2D and 3D.

• Showmobile Stage:

This performance venue, located near the Food Court, will be devoted to music all weekend. Like the rest of the areas of this festival, the many groups will play from a wide array of genres. These include the Seattle Women’s Jazz Orchestra, New Age Flamenco, popular music from Rat City Brass, country music performed by Carrie Clark and many more.

• Children’s Hands-on Art Arena:

This area will feature a wide assortment of art projects for kids, which all are based off of the festival’s theme. They will be able to create everything from puppets, to sun prints, to formica chip collages. There will also be booths by specific organizations or artists in this area with art projects for them as well. Kids can also get a Children’s Passport on their way into the festival, and after getting it stamped at various stations they will receive a prize.

In addition to each of these sections, there will also be a Poetry Hall, featuring the winners of the Third Annual Poetry Month Contest, a festival breakfast at the senior center from 8:30 a.m. until 12 p.m. and a local children’s performance of “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” on Saturday at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.