52nd Annual Lake Oswego Festival of the Arts is on the Fringe

Lake Oswego, June 27th, 2015. Organizers ordered extra tents for shade, water stations and a spritzer to help people stay cool at the Festival of the Arts in Lake Oswego. Barbara De Pirro and Marilyn Davis finished work on an outdoor exhibit to honor the theme: “On the Fringe – Today’s Twist on Fiber Art.” There’s a full schedule of entertainment including a concert with saxophonist and composer Hailey Niswanger on Sunday, June 28th, in the afternoon. From June 26th – 28th the festival will attract an estimated 25,000 visitors who come to see art exhibits, food booths, entertainment, a Craft Faire and special juried show of art and photography.

What is Yarn Bombing? Call it what you will: yarn storming, guerrilla knitting, kniffiti. It’s street art made with knitted or crocheted yarn or fiber. Look for the bicycle set up at Lakewood in the special exhibit, "On the Fringe - Today's Twist on Fiber Art," for the kid in all of us. Then let your muse be your guide as you add your personal touch and favorite colors to the bicycle. Fun for the whole family. You can participate in this interactive art experience at this year's Festival at Lakewood Center for the Arts through June 28.

These girls are “Yarn Bombing.” Also known as yarn storming, guerrilla knitting, and kniffiti. It’s street art made with knitted or crocheted yarn or fiber. It’s part of “On the Fringe – Today’s Twist on Fiber Art.”

There's a steering Committee of more than 50 volunteers (pictured) invites you to come see the work of more than 500 artists this weekend.

There’s a steering Committee of more than 50 volunteers who work with the more than 500 artists who are involved in the event.

Organizers thanked their major sponsors including, Umpqua Investments, City of Lake Oswego, Mercedes-Benz of Wilsonville, Coldwell Banker Seal – Lake Oswego, Audi Wilsonville, and Frontier Management.

Exec. Director Andrew Edwards is backstage with artist Janice Arnold before her talk on “Extreme Felting.” Note the beautiful pocket square created especially for the talk. It is made from the same material from Janice’s installation art piece draping the front columns of Lakewood during the Festival of the Arts.

A patron’s party kicked off the events.

A suggested donation of $5 per person/$10-20 per family is encouraged.

There are food vendors at Lakewood Center for the Arts and George Rogers Park.

Parking is extremely limited. The Festival offers a complimentary shuttle system (courtesy of Mercedes Benz of Wilsonville) from designated lots. Shuttle information here. There is also a no-host bike corral at George Rogers Park. Bring your lock!

From The Lake Oswego Festival of the Arts:

The festival is a program division of the Lakewood Center for the Arts, a 501(c)(3) not for profit organization.

The Festival of the Arts takes place at the Lakewood Center for the Arts and George Rogers Park, both on State Street in downtown Lake Oswego, Oregon USA.

In the park, you will find a juried Craft Faire of 110 booths featuring fine arts crafts, a delightful variety of foods at the Food Court, a wine and beer pavilion, and a variety of musical entertainment on the Park Entertainment Stage. The park also features Family Day Activities, and ongoing demonstrations by the artisans of their craft.

At the Lakewood Center for the Arts, several different art exhibits are featured. The largest exhibit is the Visual Arts Open Show with over 1,100 pieces of art submitted by artists from all over the region. In addition, the Festival also presents a Special Juried Exhibit of fine artwork as well as a series of hands-on arts activities. The Festival also partners with the Lake Oswego School District to present a high quality K-12 exhibit and the Lake Oswego Foundation for the Arts to provide the Lake Oswego Arts Chronicle, an invited visual art exhibit.

Mission Statement

The Lake Oswego Festival of the Arts’ primary goal is to educate by promoting, supporting, coordinating, and exhibiting the arts of the region.

History

The Festival was originally started by the Lake Oswego Chamber of Commerce and moved under the umbrella of the Lakewood Center for the Arts 20 years ago, as an annual activity of the Center. It is sustained by valuable partnerships with the City of Lake Oswego, Clackamas County Tourism and Development Council, the Chamber of Commerce, the Lake Oswego Rotary Club, the School District, small and large businesses, the “Friends of the Festival,” plus more than 500 volunteers who work throughout the year and the weekend to make the Festival the success it is.

The Festival, a sub division of the Lakewood Center for the Arts, a non-profit arts center, is committed to arts education, performance and exhibition. Contributions to the Festival are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. Our tax ID number is 93-0700108.

This is a weekend to experience, to be educated and to enjoy!

Elisa Klein

I’ve been a professional journalist and writer since 1987, (and long-time reporter for KOIN-TV.) As a nationally published reporter, with a Master’s Degree in Journalism, I love to report positive news and information. Journalism has also connected me with another non-profit where I served as a leader; the Northwest’s biggest writer’s organization: The Willamette Writers.