EVERETT, AUG. 13: The multi-day Fresh Paint Festival from Schack Art Center brings together local artists who not only showcase their work but actively create and sell their artwork on-site in downtown Everett.
“We try to urge our artists, 120 this year, to make all of their things while they are selling it, so we can fill that void between how it starts and how it ends,” Aaron Sheckler, Marketing and Communications Manager for the Schack said.
There will be more than 100 booths to peruse, eight food trucks, art demonstrations, music and activities. The event is estimated to bring in more than 10,000 people.
The first day of the festival is from 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 17. The next day begins at 10 a.m. and ends at 4 p.m. The event is located on Hoyt Ave. and Wall St, in front of the Schack Art Center and Imagine Children’s Museum.
The free drop-in demonstrations inside the center will be open from 10 a.m.- 3 p.m. and include the hot shop (a glass workshop), the flaming kiln, screen printing, stamping activities, watercolor, painting, jewelry, lapidary, and printmaking.
Artist Jenna Brechbiel will be at the event painting large scale original watercolor pieces. She focuses on flowers, fruits, or landscapes.
“It means a lot to myself, and I know to other local artists to have the opportunity to share our heart and souls with the community. Participating in the same events yearly also allows us to great chance to continue to build relationships with clients and with our community,” Brechbiel wrote in an email.
The festival used to be at the waterfront but became difficult for artists to transport their work.
“We used to be at the waterfront and it’s a great venue down there…but it’s been challenging for our artists to load in and load out because we have just grown to so many vendors, and we want to bring it back home to the Schack,” Sheckler said.
There will be outdoor activities with a chalk zone, magic ink and a few performances from local organizations, Sheckler said.
To participate in glass blowing, register here. There are two options, one creating traditional floats (glass orbs), and the other, mushrooms.
“Being able to connect that gap is important to us, so people can see where things start and how they get there. It also helps people appreciate the cost of things, to know the time and the effort and work that goes into it and interact with the artists,” Sheckler said.
Brechbiel will be teaching her first workshop during Schacktoberfest on Sept. 7 titled “Intro to Watercolor landscapes”.
The annual Float Find, which has evolved over the years, will include a Bingo-style scavenger hunt. To get stamps you must complete activities, view demonstrations, and visit booths. Once you get 5 in a row, or “Bingo”, you can submit your card and be entered in a raffle to win a float.
The Schack Art Center plans to pull 100 winners on Sunday, Aug. 18.
This year, the center offered scholarships to artists who had never participated in previous Schack festivals. This is a way to bring in new artists the community doesn’t typically see, Sheckler said. Half of the artists this year qualified for the scholarship and are brand new to the festival.
Brechbiel was one of two artists to win a free booth at this year’s festival.
“They’re [Schack Art Center] such lovely and devoted people to work with and it’s always my pleasure to donate to events and participate where I can,” Brechbiel wrote.
The Everett Farmers Market is still planned for Sunday from 11-3 p.m. on Wetmore Ave and Hewitt Ave. This will make for a great weekend to celebrate our local artists and vendors!
There will be free parking at the EverPark Garage, with free 2-hour parking throughout downtown.
List of food trucks: Caribbean Cuisine, Caveman Eats, Dreamy Drinks, Kettle and Pop, La Jitana, Split Open and Melt, Tabassum, and Jamie’s Donuts.
Fresh Paint is sponsored by the city of Everett, Visit Everett, Snohomish County Tourism Promotion Area, Brooklyn Bros. Pizzeria, ArtsWA, Sno Isle Food Co-op, and Lombardi’s.
Updated to include quotes from artist Jenna Brechbiel, Aug. 14, 9:13 a.m.
