The outdoor art show season is upon us: enter the trail of wonder.
As in, I wonder why this conceptual artist who shows in museums sits next to a toothpick sculptor whose display is beside a jeweler who casts her rings in 24k gold?
These shows, which run through mid-October, offer a fabulous mess of art, high and low. It’s a setup that evokes the oldtime open-air marketplace, an idea so ancient it must be in our genes. Of course, we don’t need these art goods to feed or clothe our bodies. It’s all about feeding the soul or decorating our homes or, at least, a cheery family outing.
This is a selective listing of the region’s larger and more distinctive outdoor art shows. Admission is free unless noted. We publicize art shows throughout the season.
HAMPTON BAY DAYS ARTS AND CRAFTS SHOW
Hosted by Hampton Bay Days, and benefiting Hampton Bay Days Foundation, which is dedicated to the preservation of the Chesapeake Bay.
Dates Sept. 11-13
Hours Noon to 11 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.
Location Along Kings and Queens Way in downtown Hampton.
Artists About 80 artists will exhibit hand-crafted jewelry, sculpture, painting, pottery, photography and more.
Ambience Part of a festival celebrating the Chesapeake Bay, it takes place along the waterfront and throughout an historic downtown.
Entertainment Two music stages will be set up in downtown Hampton. A third stage will be for bay education and children’s entertainment. Bruce Hornsby and Ricky Skaggs perform starting at 6 p.m. Saturday, followed by fireworks at 10 p.m.
Parking Plenty of parking throughout the festival area, in garages and on lots; $5 a car.
Contact (757) 727-1641, www.baydays.com
TOWNE PLACE AT GREENBRIER FALL ART SHOW
Hosted by Towne Place at Greenbrier
When 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12
Location 725 Eden Way North, Chesapeake
Artists More than 20 regional artists
Ambience A parklike setting within a shopping complex
Entertainment Live music
Parking Free parking on site.
Contact (757) 456-5212, www.towneplaceatgreenbrier.com.
NEPTUNE FESTIVAL ART & CRAFT SHOW
Hosted by and benefiting Contemporary Art Center of Virginia
Dates Sept. 25 through 27
Hours Noon to 7 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday
Location Virginia Beach Boardwalk, from about 17th to 31st streets
Artists About 300 fine crafters and artisans from all over the nation.
Ambience Part of a citywide festival.
Entertainment Music and other special events are planned throughout the Oceanfront area; call the Neptune Festival office, (757) 498-0215, or visit www.neptunefestival.com.
Parking On-street parking plus municipal lots.
Contact (757) 425-0000, www.cacv.org.
NEWPORT NEWS FALL FESTIVAL OF FOLKLIFE TRADITIONAL CRAFT SHOW
Hosted by Newport News Parks, Recreation and Tourism
Dates Oct. 4 and 5
Hours 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Location Newport News Park, Jefferson Avenue and Fort Eustis Boulevard.
Artists More than 250 traditional craft artists.
Ambience A family-oriented event in a shady, 100-acre site.
Entertainment Three stages will feature traditional entertainment, including folk, bluegrass and country music; storytelling; and dance. Also, children’s activities.
Parking On site or via shuttle from Woodside High School, 13450 Woodside Lane, Newport News; $5 a car.
Contact (757) 926-1400, www.nnparks.com.
AN OCCASION FOR THE ARTS
Hosted by and benefiting An Occasion for the Arts; some proceeds go to youth scholarships
When 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4
Location On Duke of Gloucester and Boundary streets and City Square in Colonial Williamsburg.
Artists About 130 artists and fine craftspeople from across the country.
Ambience The show, in its 41st year, has a festival atmosphere with Colonial Williamsburg as a backdrop.
Entertainment Five stages will offer continuous performances starting around noon, preceded by the Colonial Williamsburg Fife and Drum Corps at 10 a.m. Music will include bluegrass, jazz and classical. This year, Occasion for the Arts also has events on Oct. 3: a morning display in Merchants Square of flower arrangements inspired by the show’s poster art, an art tour of Williamsburg starting at noon and a 5:30 p.m. all-Gershwin concert by the Williamsburg Symphonia ($35, www.williamsburgsymphonia.org) in Merchants Square.
Parking Free and paid parking in vicinity.
Contact (757) 258-5587, www.anoccasionforthearts.org
CHESAPEAKE BAY ART ASSOCIATION OUTDOOR ART SHOW
Hosted by and benefiting Chesapeake Bay Art Association; proceeds go to its scholarship fund.
Date Oct. 10 and 11
Hours 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Location Ocean View Beach Park, Ocean View Avenue near Granby Street, Norfolk.
Artists More than 80 East Coast artists and craftspeople.
Ambience A relaxed, family atmosphere in a picturesque park overlooking the Chesapeake Bay
Entertainment Live performances to be announced.
Parking Free parking on Ocean View Avenue near the show.
Contact (757) 588-4805; www.chesapeakebayartassociation.com
PORT WARWICK ART AND SCULPTURE FESTIVAL
Hosted by and benefiting Co-presented by the Port Warwick Foundation and the Peninsula Fine Arts Center; benefits both nonprofit groups
Date Oct. 10 and 11
Hours 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday
Location At the main entrance to Port Warwick, Jefferson Avenue at Loftis Boulevard, in the Oyster Point area of Newport News.
Artists More than 100 fine artists from across the nation. The 5th annual show also will feature several new monumental public sculptures that will remain in the community for a year.
Ambience Set in Port Warwick, a pedestrian-oriented community based on neighborhoods in one of America’s oldest and most charming cities.
Entertainment Live music both days plus hands-on family art projects and a wine tasting.
Parking Free, on the premises.
Contact (757) 369-3014, www.PWArtFest.org
STOCKLEY GARDENS FALL ARTS FESTIVAL
Hosted by and benefiting Hope House Foundation
Dates Oct. 17 and 18
Hours 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday; noon to 5 p.m. Sunday
Location Stockley Gardens Park, Stockley Gardens and Olney Road, Ghent section of Norfolk.
Artists About 150 artists from all over the nation, working in all media.
Ambience Casual setting in a lovely residential park with plenty of shade.
Entertainment Music and other performances each day, from jazz to blues. Also, children’s activities.
Awards ceremony An artists’ reception will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 17 at the main stage at Olney Road. Live music and refreshments. Free admission.
Parking Free street parking in vicinity, plus a free park-and-shuttle from the Chrysler Museum of Art, 245 W. Olney Road.
Contact (757) 625-6161, www.stockleygardens.com
Teresa Annas, (757) 446-2485, teresa.annas@pilotonline.com
Find more events on the HamptonRoads.com Events calendar.
Want to get your show in the paper? Art show organizers must send information at least two weeks in advance of the event to Arts Listings, News, The Virginian-Pilot, 150 W. Brambleton Ave., Norfolk, VA 23510. Or e-mail it to listings@pilotonline.com. Events run on a space-available basis, and will also be considered for the Go & Do column, which is published every day except Thursdays in The Daily Break.
Want to get your show online? If you are a registered user, go to HamptonRoads.com/events and click the red button that says "Add Your Event." If you are not registered with the site, go to HaptonRoads.com/register to register for the site.
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