The Claremont Lewis Museum of Art will host FestivArts at the Padua Hills Theatre on Sunday, November 3 with an art show, craft demonstrations, art activities, book sale, music, and festive foods. FestivArts, formerly known as the Art Fiesta, celebrates its 20th year with 50% more artists showing their original artwork in the historic building and shady olive grove.
Sunday, November 3, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Padua Hills Theatre, 4467 Padua Ave., Claremont. Admission is $10 for adults. CLMA members, students, and children under 18 are free. A free shuttle is available from Padua Park.
- Over 50 area artists will have original artwork for sale including ceramics, glass, jewelry, paintings, prints, weaving, and woodwork.
- Art and craft demonstrations will be presented by local art organizations.
- Creation Station will offer art activities for kids and families.
- Music Stage will feature local performers.
- Tacos, festive foods, fine wines and craft beers will be served on the hillside terrace.
The Padua Hills Art Fiesta originated in 1953 for local artists to bring art into the community. The studio art movement that flourished here in the 1950s centered on the use of natural materials and traditional sensibilities. Visitors came from miles around to meet the artists and watch “art in action” at the popular festival. In 2011, the Claremont Lewis Museum of Art revived this tradition with a new generation of artists sharing their talents. With over 1,000 visitors each year, the Museum is expanding FestivArts to allow more local artists to share their creations with the community.
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 festival.
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 festival 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. From 1953 to 1959, the Art Fiesta 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 provided 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 showcase art that centered on the use of natural materials and traditional sensibilities.
“Art in Action” was the motto of the first festival and the event was a groundbreaking gathering that sought to showcase Claremont’s talented artists and their methods and crafts. In 1956, Milford Zornes wrote “We feel that to know artists, to watch them work, and to talk with them about their work is to share their creativeness and experience.” 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.
The Claremont Lewis Museum of Art’s incarnation of the festival seeks to replicate the educational and entertaining vibe of the original event, reflecting the arts movement in Claremont that continues to flourish. 70 years later, FestivArts lives up to its original theme, allowing local artists to share their creations with the Claremont community.