THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, October 12, 1995 TAG: 9510100078
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 12 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY SCOTT McCASKEY, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 51 lines
For those who missed the Stockley Gardens Spring Arts Festival, this weekend's fall version figures to be another great gathering of talent.
Set in Ghent's historic Stockley Gardens on Saturday and Sunday, the festival will showcase the works of more than 130 selected artists from around the country. An array of paintings, ceramics, sculpture, photography and items that defy categorization will be on display.
Live music, food and an interesting mix of people to hang out with will complement the diverse canvas of activity.
Approximately $2,500 in prize money is up for grabs, including a new $300 award for overall best in show by a Norfolk artist, made possible by a grant from the Norfolk Commission on the Arts and Humanities. Mayor Paul Fraim will present the award. The judge for the Stockley Gardens Fall Arts Festival is Chip Tom of Regen Projects in Beverly Hills, Calif.
Prices for artwork range from $15 to $1,000, but generally they are between $50 and $200.
``The festival is a perfect place to do some Christmas shopping,'' said Liz Swartley, development and marketing coordinator for Norfolk's Hope House Foundation, which sponsors the event. Hope House is a private, nonprofit charity organization that provides support services for Hampton Roads residents with disabilities.
If there is any noticeable difference from the spring show, it will be in the musical lineup. Administrators have made an effort to diversify the sound, offering acoustic, rock, reggae, gospel, blues and jazz.
``We have a great variety of artists for this show,'' Swartley emphasized. ``We tried to go with a multicultural approach to the music.''
The Stockley Gardens Arts Festival, in the venue where the first Ghent Arts Festivals were held, is in its 11th year. The fall segment is eight or nine years old, according to Swartley, and attracts a slightly smaller audience than the May event. An estimated 10,000 to 15,000 visitors are expected over the weekend.
``We added the October show to double the opportunity for artists to display their work and for fund-raising for Hope House,'' Swartley explained. ``We kind of open and close the season for area art festivals.''
While art, music and food - there will be at least 14 vendors serving funnel cakes to gyros to calamari - provide the essential draws, many people come just to check out the scene in the park. A blend of art folk, Ghent locals, young families and old hipsters generates much of the flavor that makes the show one of Norfolk's most popular yet still intimate festivals. by CNB