The Spring Arts in the Park will happen virtually this year.
Beginning Friday, May 15, artists and vendors will have their products displayed on www.blueridgeartsinthepark.com.
Anyone interested may visit the website to get an idea of what the actual festival might have featured.
Folks will be able to click on their favorite artist, vendor or craft to learn more or purchase items.
There is no fee to participate, but donations are appreciated.
“We kinda started a donate-your-gate-admission to the festival since it’s one of our largest fundraisers, you know, for our operating costs for the organization. Not one of, it is the largest fundraiser for our organization and it’s our 40th anniversary,” Nichole Potzauf, Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association (BRMAA) director, said.
Additionally, BRMAA is not charging vendors to have their work displayed nor are they taking any commission from sales.
On Saturday, May 23, artists will go live on the page to perform various demonstrations.
“We’re gonna schedule that out and post a schedule for the weekend,” Potzauf said. “And, so it will be basically the same dates we would’ve had the festival, so people can virtually visit these artists.”
The schedule should be published on their website by Wednesday, May 20.
Everything featured on the website beginning May 15 will remain on the site, so folks will be able to view the festival at their convenience.
The live stream demonstrations may not be available to view past the scheduled dates and times.
Downloadable kid crafts will also be available on the website.
On moving the festival online, Potzauf said, “It’s just a chance that we can get maybe a sale for them (the artists), you know, and hopefully people get to learn who they are, and it’s just an opportunity to present some regional working artists in the area.”
Information for the Fall Arts in the Park is also available on the previously mentioned website. The fall festival is expected to occur per usual.