Harvesting the Arts Festival 2010
Planning is well underway for FUSION Saint John’s Harvesting the Arts Festival 2010.
Our weekly column featured this festival in the Telegraph-Journal on June 29th, 2010.
The article was written by FUSION Saint John’s Claire Ryan:
This summer, the Harvesting the Arts Festival organizing committee is hard at work recruiting artists, musicians, volunteers and community organizations for the annual celebration of the city’s arts and culture community.
“We’re thrilled that so many people have expressed interest in participating this year, but we’re always looking for more volunteers and artists,” said Jessica Gozdzierski, FUSION board member and chair of Harvesting the Arts. “We have tons of exciting exhibitors and performers lined up, and we’re hoping to fill King’s Square with the city’s great talent.”
The festival continues to grow in size and stature, and has become one of FUSION’s annual events. The all-ages, free-of-charge event is organized by a team of volunteers, made up of Saint Johners with a shared interest in the arts. “Every year returning participants are joined by new and emerging talent looking for ways to be seen or heard,” says Gozdzierski.
The number of artists, musicians, performers and volunteers who return year after year is a testament to the event’s commitment to being an inclusive cultural event, and showcase for the city’s new and emerging talent and involvement in the arts. The committee is also partnering with the Greater Saint John Community Foundation’s Environment Committee to highlight local organic foods. The growth of this event over the years reflects the huge amount of creativity in Saint John.
“We have a team of wonderful volunteers – people who commit their entire day to ensuring the vendors, performers, and guests have the best possible experience,” says Gozdzierski. “We’re very fortunate that so many of our volunteers are helping out again this year, but we’re also looking for new people interested in being a part of this great event.”
For the artists, musicians and food vendors involved, it’s an opportunity to raise their profile, network and share their work with the public. Volunteers get to take in the event from a very unique vantage point, and spend the day interacting with the artists and performers, as well as the visitors to King’s Square.
The Harvesting the Arts Festival will take place Sept. 4. For more information on volunteering or participating as a vendor or exhibitor, please visit www.fusionsj.com.
Claire Ryan is on the FUSION Saint John board. Reach her at cryan@mtlpr.ca
For more information on Harvesting the Arts Festival 2010, visit the Harvesting the Arts Festival 2010 webpage, or check out the event on Facebook!
