Celebrate the Arts this weekend in Library Park.

This weekend is it.  The 53rd Annual Celebrate the Arts presented by the Monrovia Association of Fine Arts.  As always its held in Library Park in the heart of Old Town Monrovia.  This year there are 50 fine artists showcasing their art as well as local non-profits sharing what they do in the community.

There will be live and DJ provided entertainment all weekend at Celebrate the Arts.  There will also be Food Trucks.  Saturday will feature Pie and Burger, and My Delight Cupcakery.  Sunday will feature Austyn Premier Hamburgers and Paradise Cookies and Ice Cream.

New this year to add to the fun and excitement is a BEER GARDEN.  All proceeds from the sale of fine craft beer from Pacific Plate Brewery goes to MAFA to help with various community art projects and events during the year.

If you have kids, bring them along as there will be ample for them to do.  One of the sponsors, ChapCare is having a coloring contest.  Another local business is sponsoring the Youth Chalk Art Competition on Saturday.  Please note that this year because of anticipated rain and wet sidewalks Friday and Sunday the competitive Chalk Painting has been cancelled.

Additionally the Friends of the Library will be holding an Art and Collectibles Book Sale on Saturday during the show.

Deets.  Saturday 10/29 10AM-6PM, Sunday 10/30 10AM-4PM, Library Park 321 South Myrtle Avenue, Monrovia 91016 

Celebrate the Arts 9/26-27 In Library Park

This years 52nd Annual Celebrate the Arts is gong to be a big event.  Huge in that we've layered in ChalkFest and kid activities like "The Children's Chalk Experience" where they can experiment with art just like the professional chalk artists who will be there.  Add in two sponsors are having coloring contests as well to round out the fun with the kids.

There will be a few first for this years Celebrate the Arts.  Food Trucks.  Glass Blower.  ChalkFest. Children's Chalk Experience.  2 Coloring Contests

Celebrate the Arts will take place Saturday and Sunday, 9/26-27 from 10AM - 6PM in our gorgeous Library Park.

We have ample sponsors that generously donated funds so this years Celebrate the Arts will be the biggest and best ever.  When you have the time...thank them or better yet support them with your business.  Our sponsors:

• Arcadia Assocation of Realtors
• Advantage Ford Lincoln
• Chris Shevlin/Chicago Title
• Chapcare
• Brian Huffman Photography
• Donna Baker - realtor
• Hugo Torres - realtor
• Ward Automotive Service

Fun night of creating art and cocktails and munchies

The poster gives you most of the details.  What I can tell you from past experience is that its a FUN night of creating art AND getting loosey goosey with a cocktail or two in the process.  Size of the class is limited so you need to sign up early to do it.

The first class is being taught by Elizabeth Butterfield who is the featured artist at the Monrovia Association of Fine Art's Celebrate the Arts.   She does amazing work in mixed media - fabric, paper, what have you torn into tiny bits and reassembled into a "painting" that is nothing short of stunning.

Maybe we should get a group and commandeer the event for us?  Its not free, but worth the admission.

Monrovia's first public pub crawl

Monrovia Association of Fine Arts and the Monrovia Old Town Business Association teamed up and put together the first ever Old Town Pub Crawl.  The Pub Crawl will coincide with the next MAFA Art Walk on Myrtle.

Its a pretty simple affair. You buy a Passport for $35 and get a drink at the participation locations.  The business participating are Jake's, T. Phillips, Sena, Rudy's and the London Gastropub.  You present your Passport, they stamp it for you and you get your drink.  Then its off to the next stop enjoying some great art along the way.

Passports can be purchased at Paint n Play Art Studio and Gallery located at 418 S Myrtle just a few doors down from the theater.  You may also purchase them on the MAFA web site HERE.

Art Walk in Old Town Monrovia 7/31 7-10PM

Celebrate the Arts is coming 10/11&12

Celebrate the Arts is the Monrovia Association of Fine Arts(MAFA) single biggest event of the year. This is MAFA's 45th Celebrate the Arts event! It will be held in the Community Center and its parking lot on Palm Avenue this year as the usual venue, Library Park is undergoing its huge building and renovations.

MAFA supports art and art education in the community. MAFA supports the art program in the Village After School Program. With that support fully 10% of the elementary school kids in the community get some art education. (Art education was cut from the program years ago and MAFA stepped in where they could).

Industrious principals like Stacey Ayers over at Wild Rose Elementary sought to find ways to bring art classes and a dedicated art teacher to the school. She contacted MAFA and we gave them direct grants as well as assisted in their fund raising efforts.

This is only one way that MAFA helps bring Art to the community. The other way is through working with local businesses to help them open gallery's in their stores using MAFA artists. Focus One Credit Union, Monrovia Coffee Company, CA Wine and Cheese and "Art at the Aztec" are examples of MAFA artists being showcased in local businesses.

Other times MAFA is contacted by businesses to help them establish gallery's. The Paint n Play Art Studio and Gallery and the Route 66 Gallery at the Aztec are examples of that partnership with local businesses.

All of this needs help and financial support from the community. Please attend the FREE shows during the Day Saturday and Sunday October 11&12. There will be 65 artists representing a variety of fine art mediums. There will be silent auction items available for your bidding as well. The silent auction is composed of fine art donated by the participating artists and the proceeds to fund the events and grant programs supported by MAFA.

Also...a little disclosure, I am a MAFA board member. It is pretty strange seeing my name all over as this years "featured artist" but the group chose to give me the honor which I am humbled by.

See you at the show!