CARLSBAD — ArtSplash 2012 will mark its 10th anniversary from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sept. 22 and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 23 on Armada Drive, between Cannon and Palomar Airport Roads. Parking and admission are free, including a 6:45 p.m. Atomic Groove concert presented by the Belly Up. The event is an array of hands-on arts activities and chalk art replicas of famous works that come to life on the street as visitors watch.Carlsbad Mayor Matt Hall will welcome the ArtSplash crowd at 12:25 p.m. Sept. 22.
“ArtSplash has grown into a signature event for our city,” Hall said. “Not only is it a celebration of arts and community, but it also supports our thriving local tourism economy. We are very proud of the hundreds of volunteers who help make ArtSplash a success each year and pleased to lend our support.”
Adding to the mix is Taste@ArtSplash from noon to 3 p.m. Sept. 22. Tickets are available at area schools, shops and [email protected] as well as on-site. Proceeds from Taste and all ArtSplash activities benefit arts and music programs in North County schools. In addition to the concert and fireworks – a first for ArtSplash – this year’s festival features local music groups such as Shokenji Taiko of the Vista Buddhist Temple and the Stoney B Blues Band. Also on the scene will be the famous Animal Crackers Conspiracy puppeteers, street buskars, a special children’s area, sand sculpting, graffiti art, silent auction, fine art vendors, a Saturday floral décor competition and Sunday cake décor competition. A He’Ro’es for Hope 3-mile breast cancer walk also takes place the morning of Sept. 23. Visit heroesforhopewalk.com for details.
As the event draws to a close, Studio 2 artists Ron Juncal and Phyllis Swanson will complete their 10-foot-by-10-foot portrait of the iconic Marilyn Monroe fashioned from one thousand recycled plastic water bottles. Miringoff said, “We think the piece would have left Marilyn breathless and we hope the cornucopia of ArtSplash activities makes event-goers feel the same.”
Looking back at the evolution of the event since it began in 2002, ArtSplash co-founder Juncal said, “ArtSplash has developed a tradition of offering unique and unparalleled approaches to art that allow people to see the amazing possibilities of imagination that exist all around them. From art in dust, chalk, cheese and pastry, we have sought to bring the amazing talents of the artists we come across to the attention of the thousands who enjoy the event each year.”
Up-to-date information is at facebook.com/carlsbadartsplash and carlsbadartsplash.org. A TV preview will air during September on Oceanside Spectrum at koct.org.
