ARTS FESTIVAL BIG DRAW FOR BURBANK.Byline: Alex Dobuzinskis Staff Writer BURBANK - Painters, sculptors, photographers and other artists will take over downtown Burbank this weekend for the city's semiannual fine arts festival, one of several events this year that city officials are hoping will help revitalize the area. The event, expected to draw more than 10,000 people, will feature 75 artisans from the area as well as from Arizona, Nevada and Washington. ``There's photography, there's jewelry, there's painting, sculptures, stained glass. Quality artwork, one of a kind - not just something that's cranked out,'' said Gail Stewart, downtown manager for the city. About 15,000 people attended over the two days of the event last year, said Ronda Mills, president of West Coast Artists, which is organizing the festival. For photographer Gayle Chisholm, 45, being part of an arts festival in her hometown is exciting. Chisholm works in administration at Glendale Community College and said she was encouraged to exhibit by co-workers who saw some of her pictures. A landscape and nature photographer, Chisholm will be showing pictures she took at Joshua Tree National Park Joshua Tree National Park, 1,022,703 acres (414,050 hectares), S California. Lying between the high Mojave Desert and the low Colorado Desert, this park has a unique ecosystem in which are preserved rare Joshua trees (Yucca brevifolia; see yucca) as well as ocotillos, chollas, and brittlebushes. It is home to a variety of wildlife including bighorn sheep, bobcats, roadrunners, and golden eagles. this spring. Her exhibit, and those of other artists, make up a festival that essentially replaces the city's former downtown arts and crafts festival - a smaller event than the popular nearby Montrose Arts and Crafts Festival - in an effort to emphasize a quality city image, Stewart said. ``The retail we're upgrading and all the events we want to upgrade also. So fine arts just has a better feel to it,'' she said. Other downtown city events scheduled this year include evenings in July and August featuring swing and salsa dancing and free concerts. In September, the city hosts its annual Taste of Burbank and in November the second Fine Arts Festival will be held. Alex Dobuzinskis, (818) 546-3304 alex.dobuzinskis(at)dailynews.com IF YOU GO --The Downtown Burbank Fine Arts Festival is free and will be held Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to dusk. Booths will be set up on San Fernando Boulevard, which will be closed to traffic, between Magnolia Boulevard and Orange Grove Avenue. CAPTION(S): box Box: IF YOU GO (see text) |
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