Redbud Crowds Enjoy Festival Attractions

What a day! Dayton's first Redbud Spring Arts and Crafts Festival, held on April 27th, drew many hundreds of visitors to the Artisans Courtyard as well as a network of special attractions across the community.

Highlights of the day included horse-drawn wagon rides, live performances by Monacan Indian tribe members, John Grogg's demonstration of farrier/horseshoeing techniques, family arts activities including facepainting and a new mural project, and works of arts and crafts by more than 90 vendors.  Demonstrations of the Courtyard's new 3D printer and a new "Daytonwood" green screen studio were among the attractions of the day.

Given the response, it's looking like a new Dayton arts and craft festival tradition has been born!

Courtyard to Feature 3D Printing at Season Opening on Saturday, April 6

On April 6, the Artisans Courtyard will be opening for the Spring season with a splash – introducing to Dayton an innovative 3D printer along with a special opening sale of art and artisanal works at our four galleries.

"If you have ideas for design and prototyping, come and see what's possible," said Mark Frazier, the Courtyard's Chairman. "We're excited by the prospects that Dayton can become a hub for this new kind of creative venture."

The Solidoodle 3D printer featured at the Courtyard is one of the most highly rated of a new generation of <$1000 desktop printers. It can turn innovative designs into jewelry, toys, smartphone cases, and a range of personalized products.

Twice-Baked Computers, a Dayton-based computer services firm, and the Arts & Business Connection of Dayton, a branch of the Artisans Center of Virginia, have supported the Courtyard in preparing the launch of the 3D printing system, and of microscholarships to spread 3D printing as well as other art and design related skills.

Nic Harper of Twice-Baked Computers prints out a Bitcoin microscholarsihp for the Courtyard on a 3D printer.

A range of 3D printed items will be on display at the Courtyard opening at the Artisans Cooperative Gallery, a new building located at 220 Bowman Road, near the parking entrance to the Courtyard.  Among the items offered there will be 3D-printed tokens indexed to the value of a "Bitcoin," and redeemable for an introductory tutorial or workshop on 3D printing.

Our April 6 season opening event starts at 10 am and runs until 5 pm. Special sale prices are being offered on gifts and artwork at the participating galleries at the Cooks Creek site, as well as the Courtyard's recently-opened sister Artisans Downtown Gifts and Gallery at 320 South Main Street in Harrisonburg.

DAYTON GEARS UP FOR APRIL REDBUD ARTS & CRAFTS SPRING FESTIVAL!

The Artisans Courtyard is pleased to be working with the town of Dayton and local organizations to launch the first Spring Arts & Crafts Festival from 10 am-4 pm on April 27, as part of the annual Redbud Festival.

The event is inspired by on the success of the annual "Dayton Days" Autumn Festival – which has drawn tens of thousands of visitors to Dayton to shop and explore creative works of Valley artists and (Click for full Redbud Festival Program)artisans.

"We're thrilled that Dayton has responded favorably to the Courtyard's suggestion of having a Spring arts and crafts festival to complement the Autumn event," said Mark Frazier, chair of the Artisans Courtyard Volunteer Network.

More than three dozen arts and crafts exhibitors have already responded to invitations to participate in the event. The Courtyard will host live music and special children arts activities during the day, as well as live artisan demonstrations including the Courtyard's new Solidoodle 3D Printer.

Activities across Dayton will include free horse-drawn carriage rides, giveaways of Red Bud and other sapling trees, an antique car show, and a free live performance by the Monticello Strings at the Church of the Brethren. 

For further information, contact Artisans Courtyard president LauraLea Marlyn Spitler (540.578.1680 or info@artisanscourtyard.org).

SEEK Art Fair Brings New Artists, Musicians to Dayton on Saturday, July 28

SEEK Art + Craft Fair held its inaugural pop-up event in Dayton on Saturday, July 28th.

Under sunny skies, more than two dozen artists from New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia assembled in popup tents on a the field next to Braithwaite Studios & Coffee at 415 Mason St, Dayton VA 22821 from 10-6 pm.

The Fair featured live music and a wide range of art, including paintings, fine woodturning, flintwork, jewelry, and pottery. The event was organized to promote emerging and established artists.

The SEEK Art + Craft Fair was organized by Alexa Leister-Frazier as a benefit for the Artisans Courtyard Scholarship Fund to increase access to arts related classes for students and jobseekers in the Central Shenandoah Valley.

For further information on seek and for updates on future events, contact Alexa Leister-Frazier, Director, SEEK Art + Craft Fair at 571.422.9672 (cell), seekartfair@gmail.com.

"Red, White and Bluegrass" strums hearts of fans at July 21 Summer Art Festival

Lovers of bluegrass from as far afield as Charlottesville and Manassas converged at the Courtyard on Saturday, July 21 for a live "Red, White and Bluegrass" art and music festive.

Award-winning musicians the Walnut Ridge Boys, Gregory Lam and Friends, and Me & Martha energized music fans and shoppers alike in a benefit performance to raise funds for the Courtyard's arts enrichment initiatives.

Courtyard galleries and vendors opened at 10 am for shoppers who braved overcast skies. Music and libations flowed from 1 pm through 8 pm as the day brightened, culminating in a memorable performance by Me & Martha as diners savored food prepared by Mama's Caboose.

Ticket and beverage sales generated funds for the Artisans Courtyard Scholarships and Arts Supply Fund for underserved Valley children. These scholarships will make it possible to identify and encourage young artists that might not otherwise have the opportunity to develop their talents.  Through mentors and community volunteers the program will make available instruction, art space and supplies. 

The Festival was held at the Cooks Creek Park at 230 Bowman Road, Dayton, Virginia.

The Artisans Courtyard Volunteer Network (ACVN) is a non-profit group of artists and community volunteers dedicated to the preservation and sharing of the arts. For information on how you can participate in upcoming music festivals, or support the arts scholarship initiative, contact LauraLea at 540.578.1680 or email laura@artisanscourtyard.org.