"A MidSummers Dream" - Ashland's annual Art & Music Festival. Over 60 regional artists and local musicians on two stages . A benefit for the Briscoe Art Wing and the Ashland School District. At the old Briscoe School, Corner of Laurel and N. Main in downtown Ashland. FREE Admission!
The grounds of the old Briscoe School are idyllic for such an
event. Under the boughs of the 100 year old cypress tree will be the
local stage, appropriately named the Cypress Stage featuring music all
weekend -- 50 art booths will grace the front area. The athletic field
in back of Briscoe will host the Main Stage and another 50 art booths;
additionally, food will be available out back, and the kids craft
project area. Inside the ArtWing itself will be a third stage of music
and an art exhibit featuring the art of local school children from
kindergarden through highschool.
THE HISTORY
Though
in the intense planning stages for the past four months, MidSummer's
Dream is actually a culmination of a vision which has been manifesting
within the local artist community for well over a decade now. Roughly
20 years ago a group of artists got together and proposed the creation
of an open air weekend marketplace along Ashland Creek in the alley
behind the plaza. That was the beginning of The Lithia Arts Guild of
Oregon. The Lithia Arts Guild worked with Parks and Recreation of
Ashland to create what we all now know to be The Lithia Artisans Market
of Ashland (LAMA). Working in partnership with the City of Ashland,
LAMA has now been recognized by the New York Times as one of the top
small-town art and craft markets in the country. From May through
October the marketplace shines along the creek on what is now called
Calle Guanajuato.
Nearly two years ago the board of the Lithia Arts Guild of Oregon
(LAGO) had the foresight to recognize an opportunity for the artists of
the Ashland area. Turning the old Briscoe Elementary School into an art
center was an idea which had never been tried here in Ashland. It was
an ideal solution to provide affordable studio space for local artists;
a venue to expose the greater community to art with festivals and
workshos; and a model method of using common space for the enrichment
of the community.
THE MISSION
This
is Ashland's Premiere Art & Music Festival which celebrates the
very best that the Pacific Northwest has to offer in art, craft, and
music. This years theme is honoring the artist within each of us. The
collective mission is to make MidSummer's Dream into an festival which
allows us to take common space and make it into a community place to
gather and celebrate the arts. The mission is to establish this annual
juried art event which draws enthusiasts from throughout the Northwest
region, increases interest in Ashland among regional artists, increases
exposure for local artists and businesses, promotes cultural tourism,
enhances a sense of community in the Ashland area, stimulates local
involvement in the arts, and provides a fun and safe place for everyone
to come and play.
THE BENEFIT
This
event also doubles as a fundraising venture to benefit both the Briscoe
ArtWing and The Ashland School District--4 cents of every dollar spent
at the festival goes directly to those charitable causes. The event is
free but donations are greatly appreciated, and donations go to the
Lithia Arts Guild and the many projects it has in the works. Not only
does this event help the ArtWing and School District, but it helps
every artist who participates. These artists and craftspeople are the
alternative to the mass produced, imported goods available today in
every big-box store throughout our country. When you support a local
artist you are supporting a micro-industry which is low impact to the
environment, and keeps the capital floating within our local economy.
Dollars spent locally recycle through our locally owned grocery stores,
restaurants, hotels, and farmers markets, thus helping eachother.
See event website
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