Stroll Through Barefoot in the Park

Go barefoot, wear flip flops or whatever in the way of footwear to the Barefoot in the Park Fine Arts Festival this weekend on Duluth's Town Green.

An Art Walk and Artists Market preview from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, May 6, kicked off the seventh annual Barefoot in the Park. Friday night attendees also got the first glimpse of New York sidewalk artist Anthony Cappetto’s original 3D chalk painting created for the festival and got to meet him. The festival continues through Sunday, May 8.

Cappetto’s visit to Barefoot in the Park is sponsored by the Georgia Gwinnett College Foundation. Cappetto created large pastel works on paper for exhibitions in New York City from 1997 through 2000. During a trip to Italy in 1999, he was inspired by pastel chalk art street paintings. Cappeto has been active in street painting since 2001 participating in festivals/events throughout the United States, Mexico, Italy, the United Arab Emirates (Dubai), and Japan. 

Barefoot in the Park also is bringing outstanding regional artists, entertainment, and flavors to the Town Green. Festival hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. For a full schedule of events visit www.barefootinthepark.org or call 678-442-1825, ext. 102.

More than 75 artists will display their works in the juried Artists Market. The art includes oil and acrylic paintings, watercolors, sculpture, pottery, ceramics, glass, metal art, woodworking, jewelry, photography, prints, and mixed media.

Other activities include a Children’s Art Park for toddlers through 12-year-olds, a Book Bistro with selections for adults and children and book signings presented by the Gwinnett Public Library, and a Learning Village featuring interactive art demonstrations. The Gwinnett Public Library will present “Fashions in Paper” featuring dresses created from repurposed books at 3:30 p.m. Saturday on the Main Stage. The dresses will also be displayed in the Book Bistro tent.

Food vendors will sell a variety of festival fare. Wine tastings of different varietals are scheduled at 1, 2:30 and 4 p.m. on Saturday and at 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. Sunday. A Beer Garden will offer a selection of brews.

New to the festival this year is a Student Art Exhibit featuring works by ninth through 12th graders at Duluth and Peachtree Ridge high schools. Winning entries will be displayed at The Hudgens Art Center in Duluth during the summer.

Performances on the Main Stage and Second Stage occur throughout the festival. Appearing on the Main Stage will be the Gwinnett Community Band, Jahara Phoenix Dance Company, BJ Chorale, Stone Mountain Chorus, Kalaivani Dance and Music Academy, the Stephen Lee Band, singer Christie Grant, Atlanta Chinese Dance Company, Drake School of Irish Dance, Georgia Young Men’s Ensemble, Gwinnett Choral Guild and Gwinnett School of Rock Bands. Second Stage performers include the Green Flag Band, Tim Odonovan, Sounds of Suwanee, the Actor’s Edge, Gwinnett School of Music, Atlanta Harmony Celebration, and the Sax Man.

Proceeds from Barefoot in the Park support arts education programs. Scholarships are awarded yearly to students in both the visual and performing arts.