Arte Vida and The Berea Crafts Festival

In one short weekend Berea saw a variety of handmade crafts and musical performances from all over the world. July 12-14 marked the 21st annual Craft Festival and the 3rd annual Arte Vida Festival.

The Craft Festival took place at Indian Fort Theater, while Arte Vida shared Indian Fort Theater, James Hall lawn and the Berea Welcome center. Friday provided a beautiful day to be outdoors and enjoy the events. Yet, the rain came and stayed for the whole day on Saturday, but it didn't prevent visitors from enjoying festivals. The shows went on, however, the conditions forced Arte Vida performers to move from the James Hall Lawn to under the shelter of Boone Taverns roof.

Nicolas & Aidan Broadbridge

The craft festival brought talent from over 125 artists from twenty states to Berea. Approximately 20 live demonstrations took place throughout the weekend, including pottery making, broom making, jewelry making and woodcarving. Thirty-five new exhibitors were also in attendance adding to the tone of the festival.

Everyone was encouraged to attend the Festival and share the atmosphere, amazing artwork and delicious food. On Friday 20% of admissions were donated to the Kentucky Breast Cancer Coalition, along with the earnings from artwork. Sandy Chowning, festival organizer, felt that the weather and construction might have lowered the number of visitors to the event. However, Chowning was happy to share that the festival was able to raise roughly $2,500 through artist and festival donations to help support the Kentucky Breast Cancer Coalition.

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The Arte Vida Festival took place in three separate locations and showcased performers from all over the world. "Arte Vida" actually means "Art Life" which Jennifer Escobar, founder and director of the festival, notes "is a perfect name for a festival that brings together cultural arts from every corner of the earth in celebration of their importance in the lives of every human being on earth."

Performers for the Arte Vida festival included: Nicolas and Aidan Broadbridge, a father and son musical duet from Scotland, ZYDE-GATOR, a Lexington based group that made the college square feel like the streets of New Orleans. The Mcteggart School of Irish Dance, from Lexington, Robert Tincher, a Berea native who performed Celtic and Appalachian music, Yoshie, a Japanese musician, as well as Puiu Munteanu from Lugoj in Romania, all preformed for Arte Vida.

Zyde-Gator

Aside from the international performers, Berea also shined in the spotlight. About fifty local people performed in the Arte Vida Festival, including the Berea Shape Note Singers, the Foothills Morris Men, Oh Contraire, the Berea Folk Dancers, the Berea Festival Dancers and Jennifer Rose Escobar.

Despite the rainy day Saturday, both Festivals were fun filled and successful; plans are already being made for the 2003 festivals.

Foothills Morris Men

Written by - Hannah Billings