Goldendale Celebrates Public Art with First Annual Art Festival on Saturday, Sept. 23
From the Greater Goldendale Area Chamber of Commerce:
Goldendale Wash., Sept. 20, 2023 - The Greater Goldendale Area Chamber of Commerce invites you to celebrate the completion of the Art at the Heart of Goldendale public art installations on September 23, 2023, at the first annual Goldendale Art Festival. This special event will be a celebration of the arts as the expression of human creativity, skill, and imagination.
Art Festival Program: Saturday, September 23, 11 am – 9 pm
East & West Main Street Downtown Goldendale
11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Art Market — Original Art for sale
11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Interactive Art Experiences & Demonstrations
11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Splatter Tent Painting Experience!
*** Road Closure – Intersection of Main & Columbus 12 - 3pm ***
1 p.m. Art at the Heart of Goldendale Commemoration Ceremony
1- 7 p.m. Interactive Art Experiences & Demonstrations
2 - 5 p.m. Live! Music by: The Growlerzz
3 - 5 p.m. Share the Love Paint Party! Hosted By Toss Products LLC
6:30 - 7:30 p.m. Sunset Yoga - BYO Yoga Mat
7 – 9 p.m. Glow in the dark Community Dance with Live Music
Art at the Heart of Goldendale, the revitalization and beautification project at the four corners of downtown Goldendale, was established as a primary mission of The Greater Goldendale Area Chamber of Commerce in February 2021.
This initial project, completed in June this year was accomplished through the work of the Chamber Art Committee, chamber staff & directors in collaboration with lead artists Felicia Gray, Scott Gray, and Sandra Choate along with numerous art enthusiasts and volunteers. As part of the Chamber’s 2024 strategic plan, the continuation of the Art at the Heart of Goldendale project was adopted in late August.
Phase 1 of the project was completed with seed funding of $15,000 from the City of Goldendale and Klickitat County Economic Development Department in 2021.
Phases II - IV of the project, completed this summer, were made possible with over $10,000 raised by Chamber Art Committee fundraisers, generous donations and support from community members, local foundations, and businesses. Furthermore, $71, 000 in funding was granted to the project from the Washington State Legislature with the support of Senator Curtis King. Project administration and guidance was provided by the Washington State Arts Commission and The Greater Goldendale Area Chamber of Commerce.
In total, the Art in the Heart of Goldendale project has directly paid over $76,000 to talented local artists and contributed to the ever-growing creative economy of Goldendale. The Greater Goldendale Area Chamber holds all funding for this project in a separate account dedicated to the Art at the Heart of Goldendale project. No chamber staff, directors or volunteers have received compensation using funding designated to this project.
We offer sincere thanks to the Chamber Art Committee for their tireless work on this project: Sandra Choate, Danielle Clevidence, Felicia Gray, Sara Eubanks, Heather Larson, Kim Michael, Ivy Velarde, Taletha Wagoner, Art Chair Jeanne Morgan, and Vice Chair Terra McLeod.
Special appreciation and recognition to the many local artists who assisted with the murals in various capacities: Kathy Baldwin, Brian Chambers, Colton Boswell, Katherine Childs, David Jennings, Lanae Johnson, Daniel Lawrence, and Taletha Wagoner.
We’re also grateful to the proprietors of Round 2, Goldendale Pharmacy, Windermere Real Estate, and Dr James Ogden. Each of these businesses contributed to the project by preparing their buildings for the art installations. Without everyone involved, this project could not have been completed.
Contact the Greater Goldendale Area Chamber of Commerce at 509-773-3400 or visit www.goldendalechamber.org for more information.
