March 23, 2013
Entering its 29th year, the Mission Federal ArtWalk is the largest fine art festival in the Southern California region, making up a 17-block footprint in the urban neighborhood of Little Italy San Diego. This two-day outdoor fine art festival takes place on Saturday, April 27th and Sunday, April 28th from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Founded by artists, Mission Federal ArtWalk is a welcoming venue for art collectors, connoisseur and casual observers to meet and interact with artists, and provides the opportunity for visitors to discover the inspiration behind each artist’s work.
Mission Federal ArtWalk is an outdoor exhibition of original fine art from an array of different genres including paintings, sculpture, photography and more. More than 700 artists apply each year, with about half selected to participate. Exhibiting artists represent California and beyond, and from as far away as Sweden. Items on display are available for purchase directly from the artist with an expected price range of $50 to above $15,000.
Each year, an esteemed roster of 12 participating artists are deemed the Featured Artists of Mission Federal ArtWalk. This year’s list includes masters of oil paints, mixed media, ceramics and basketry, sculpture and photography. Featured artists for 2013 include Ebrahim Amin, Richard Curtner, Norm Daniels, Shay Davis, Gabriela Firehammer, Hannie Goldgewicht, James Hill, Mark Jesinoski, Nicola Katsikis, Christopher M., Niki J. Sands and David Weimers.
The festival also celebrates San Diego’s diverse performing arts with an extensive lineup of music and dance performances, including Dance on the EDGE, a curated dance venue within the event featuring more than 20 dance groups. While strolling through Little Italy, visitors will be treated to five stages of live music, a dedicated venue for San Diego’s dance companies, terrific eateries and creative vignettes of performing and interactive entertainment.
Families are invited to bring their kids to enjoy KidsWalk, a special area at the event offering more than 15 hands-on art activities provided by regional non-profit organizations such as children’s museums, performing art schools and art instructors.
Mission Federal ArtWalk is a free public event provided as a community asset thanks to sponsorship support from companies such as title sponsor Mission Federal Credit Union and premiere sponsors Cymer; The Westgate Hotel; Night & Day; Scripps Health; San Diego Magazine; Petco, Whole Foods and Blick Art Materials. Their sponsorship support allows participating artists to obtain exhibit space at a reasonable cost to showcase and sell their fine art, and it allows more than 120,000 visitors to experience the event’s unique mix of original fine art at no cost.
For more information, visit www.missionfederalartwalk.org, @ArtWalkSD, or www.facebook.com/ArtWalkSD. For more information on the neighborhood, visit www.littleitalysd.com.