Looking forward to summer? Longing for sunny skies, warm temps, and a slight, occasional breeze? The artists and organizers of the Gunpowder River Artfest are working hard to bring it to you. As they have in years past (with remarkable success), they are collectively putting out good intentions to the universe, for just that kind of day for the 2012 Artfest. Whether their luck holds or not, the Artfest will take place on June 2, from 12:00 to 7:00, at Boordy Vineyards.
The Gunpowder River Artfest is the brainchild of Tami Boehle-Satterfield and her colleagues in the Northern
Baltimore County Art Federation, or NBCAF. The NBCAF has worked since 2006 to promote art appreciation in the community, and to raise scholarships funds for local art students. As Satterfield puts it, “our purpose is to build community through the arts - the community is the driving force.”
Of course, the partnership with Boordy comes with its own special benefits. The adult admission price of $12 includes wine tasting courtesy of the vineyard. (Admission for children 12 and under is free, and $10 for teens aged 13-20.) Wine tours will also be available free of charge at 2:00 pm and 3:30 pm. Boordy provides picnic tables for patrons to use if they wish to bring in their own food, which is permitted as long as no outside alcohol is brought onto the premises. Picnic tables are first come first serve, and no single group can use more than two
tables at any one time. NBCAF organizers are thrilled with the location. As Satterfield puts it, “the partnership with Boordy is fabulous. They handle parking and help us out in all sorts of ways.”
Fine art will be housed primarily in the Boordy barn, and much of the art on display will be for sale. Satterfield is confident that a wide range of price points will be available. Artists will handle sales of their own work at their respective booths, and while most have the technology on hand to take credit card payments, there will be an ATM onsite as well.
Aside from the artwork, this year’s Artfest will feature the return of Nelly’s Echo, a band that was a huge hit with the crowd at last year’s event. They will be joined by Maryland’s own Midlife Crisis, who will open for them earlier in the day. For families with children, Hereford High School student volunteers will be staffing a kids’ activities tent. Children will have the opportunity to create art of their own, by building, decorating, and flying paper airplanes, and crafting flower arrangements using paper and wire. They can also choose to become works of art through face painting. For the kid in all of us, anyone can try their hand at hula hooping. An instructor will be available with plenty of hoops, so that even grown-up children can find their inner performance artist.
Last but not least, there will be food, food and even more food. Clementine Catering, a branch of the popular Harford Road eatery, will be represented, as will Baltimore’s Haute Dogs Fabulous Franks and York’s own Bricker’s Famous French Fries. As of this writing, Satterfield says with a smile that she is, “still looking for oysters, too.”
In addition to the Artfest, the NBCAF hosts a benefit dinner each year, with Hereford High School students as volunteer waiters. This year’s dinner will be catered by Clementine and take place in the historic Monkton Mill. In time, Satterfield hopes to find a permanent home for the NBCAF, a step which would make increasing membership easier. The Monkton Mill is one of several locations under consideration. Wherever they settle, Satterfield looks forward to fulfilling what she calls the “grand vision” of the NBCAF, “a community art center, with a gallery and working studios.” For now, the Artfest brings that vision to the Hereford Zone, on what will no doubt be a warm June day, with a slight, occasional breeze.
--- Kerensa Zimmerman
The front porch to your community!
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Building community through the arts
Photos by Shawn Reynolds Stratmann
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The Gunpowder River Artfest takes place Saturday, June 2, from 12:00 pm to 7:00 pm, at Boordy Vineyards. Admission is $12 for adults 21 and over (including wine tasting), $10 for teens 13-20, and free for children 12 and under. Directions and additional information can be found at www.nbcaf.com/artfest.html.
Information about how to join, help, or otherwise become involved with the Northern Baltimore County Art Federation can be found at www.nbcaf.com.
