Padua Hills Art Fiesta to Celebrate Creativity and Community
For Immediate Release
September 5, 2022
Press Contact: Catherine McIntosh
909 626-1386, cell 713 829-9338
The Claremont Lewis Museum of Art will host the 18th Annual Padua Hills Art Fiesta on Sunday, November 6. Visitors can shop for unique original artwork by 30 local artists; watch a film and browse through art books; enjoy art activities, craft demonstrations, music and festive foods on the terrace overlooking the foothills. NEW THIS YEAR: Guests can sip wine and craft beer on the historic balcony or as they stroll through the shady olive groves.
Sunday, November 6, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Padua Hills Theatre, 4467 Padua Ave., Claremont. Admission is $5 for adults. CLMA members, students and children under 18 are free. A free shuttle is available from Padua Park.
- Thirty area artists will have original artwork for sale including ceramics, glass, jewelry, paintings, prints, weaving, and woodwork.
- art organizations will provide art and craft demonstrations and art books will be for sale.
- will be presented by Claremont Heritage.
- on the hillside terrace or sip wine and craft beers.
- New artwork this year will include paintings by Elisa Arancibia and Rose Ash; ceramics by Bobby Free, Lenny Larson, and Lisa Soiseth; woodwork by Lauren Verdugo; fiber art by Ruth Whittington; and stained glass by Janet Gruman. And you will find many favorite returning Claremont artists: Paul Brayton, Michael and Su Cheatham, Dawn Crandall, Ellen Dinerman, Gina Lawson Egan, Kirsten Erickson, Sumi Foley, Marc Gordon, Quincey Grace, Aleta Jacobson, Cj Jilek, Annie Marquis, Kathleen McCall, Heather Meier-Gonzales, Hal Metlizky, T and Jon Pacini, Damien Ross, John Sasaki, Gaby Tepper, Barry Vantiger, and Ahlene Welsh.
- Thanks to sponsors Ryan Zimmerman, Realtor, Wheeler Steffen Sotheby’s International Realty.
Go to clmoa.org for information about the museum and current programs.
HISTORY OF THE PADUA HILLS ART FIESTA
As Claremont’s art community grew and many artists either worked at the Padua Hills Theater or resided in the Padua Hills artist colony just south of the theater on Via Padova, the theatre became the obvious location to host an annual Art Fiesta.
The First Annual Padua Hills Art Fiesta took place from July 25 to August 2, 1953 and as Padua Hills Theatre founder, Herman Garner proclaimed, “is destined to become one of the outstanding annual events of the art world.” The stature of artists taking part in this initial event immediately propelled the fiesta to a high standard, with participating artists reading like a who’s who of the Claremont art community in the 1950s.
The theater’s arcaded walkways and shady olive groves provided a natural and beautiful backdrop for the art event and was a great success. The art fiestas showcased a variety of artwork including painting, sculpture, prints, pottery, enamels, jewelry, glass, weaving, ironwork, and furniture. Not only were these pieces for sale, but demonstrations were also carried out allowing for an interactive experience for the public and a look into the artist’s creative process. While these artists all worked in different mediums, the goal of the Padua Hills Art Fiesta was to bring art into the community and showcase art that centered on the use of natural materials and traditional sensibilities.
“Art in Action” was the motto of the first Padua Hills Art Fiesta and the event was a groundbreaking gathering that sought to showcase Claremont’s talented artists and their methods and crafts. The Art Fiesta broke down barriers between the Claremont artists and the public, allowing for interaction, education, and championing of Claremont’s burgeoning art community. 65 years later, the Padua Hills Art Fiesta continues to live up to its original theme, allowing local artists to showcase their craft and share their creations with the Claremont community.
While the original Padua Hills Art Fiesta only lasted 7 years, from 1953 to 1959, the current incarnation of the Fiesta seeks to replicate the educational and entertaining feel of the original events, all the while continuing to practice and showcase the “Art in Action” theme of the original fiestas. The arts movement in Claremont continues to flourish in and the Padua Hills Art Fiesta seeks to showcase a new generation of Claremont artists. By following the principles of the original fiestas, the Padua Hills Art Fiesta will continue to advocate its local artists and keep Claremont truly an art mecca. Last year, the popular event welcomed over 1,200 visitors.