The Mt. Shasta Mall isn’t normally a shopper’s first stop for one-of-a-kind, artisan-made gifts, but Mt. Shasta Mall shoppers can expect an artist invasion this weekend. Forty artists – painters, wood carvers, jewelry makers, silversmiths, collage and textile artists, photographers, performers and musicians join forces for ARTsMART, an arts and entertainment festival coordinated by the Shasta County Arts Council.
What began as a summertime, downtown event has been transformed into a holiday shopping kick-off, an indoor harvest festival where artists can display their work and festival goers are entertained by a full day of artist demonstrations, face-painting, kids’ activities by HawkMan Studios, ceramic painting by Under the Rainbow, a guitar workshop, and music throughout the day coordinated by the Doug Godwin Band and the Shasta Blues Society.
Raette Meredith, Americorps Vista volunteer for the Shasta County Arts Council and ARTsMART coordinator made the decision to move the event to an indoor, climate-controlled space:
“Artsits can display their work without the worry of heat stroke, dehydration, wind and rain. The lighting is perfect and those who aren’t interested in purchasing art can enjoy the performances and mall shops.”
For more information about ARTsMART and other Shasta County Arts Council programs, visit shastaartscouncil.org.
What: ARTsMART arts and entertainment festival
Where: Mt. Shasta Mall, Redding
When: Saturday, Oct. 17, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Cost: Free
Adam Mankoski is a recent North State transplant who feels completely at home here. He enjoys experiencing and writing about the people, places and things that embody the free spirit of the State of Jefferson. He and his partner own HawkMan Studios and are the creators of Redding’s 2nd Saturday ArtHop. Reach him at adamm.anewscafe@gmail.com.
