Art lovers and culture vultures, mark your calendars for May 3rd because Kingsport is once again transforming Shelby Street into a creative hub for the 2nd annual Kingsport Arts Festival. According to a release by Kingsport Cultural Arts on their website, the shindig kicks off at high noon and will roll on until 5 p.m., promising a lineup that’s more packed than a subway car at rush hour.
From molten metal to the finesse of a watercolor brush, this festival is showcasing more than just paintings on the wall. With live iron pours executed by WNC Sculpture and glassblowing by Ryan Gothrup, witnessing the heated action at close range, spectators might just feel a tad warmer. The Clay Gurus, unafraid to get their hands dirty, will be showing off ceramics Raku firing, while Engage Kingsport will offer up festival shirts for a groovy tie-dye transformation.
But it's not just about watching; involvement is the word of the day. Kids can dive into chalk art and release their inner Picasso with large canvas finger painting, thanks to a collaboration that also brings miniature painting with the help of the Kingsport Library. Meanwhile, for rhythmic souls, bucket drumming with the Symphony of the Mountains offers a beat to march or dance to.
Adults needn't feel left out either, with a watercolor activity crafted especially for them, possibly while sipping on something from one of the local vendors—more than a dozen of whom will be lined up, each peddling unique goodies. And if you fancy a bit of a treasure hunt, a gallery crawl and scavenger hunt should satiate the explorer within. "Our focus this year is still on creation and involvement," Linore Huss, Program Leader, told Kingsport Cultural Arts. "Showcasing creative techniques is something not typically found at other festivals, so we believe people will come away excited and hopefully inspired by what they saw demonstrated."
Highlighting the event, "The Carousel Horse Brigade" makes its introductory trot. Six fiberglass carousel horses, painted and decorated with great care by local businesses and organizations, will be on display. This quirky collection draws inspiration from the 2023 GOAT Festival's fiberglass goats. The Kingsport Arts Festival represents a collective effort, thanks to a partnership among Kingsport Cultural Arts, Engage Kingsport, the Inventor Center, Clay Gurus, and the Symphony of the Mountains, which brings together a symphony of artistic expression bound to resonate with attendees of all ages.
