Summerlin set for arts festival

One of the valley’s most beloved annual art traditions returns this weekend to Downtown Summerlin. The 23rd annual Summerlin Festival of Arts starts Oct. 13 and runs through Oct. 14 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days.

The festival includes more than 100 artists from Southern Nevada and surrounding states, each carefully selected by a jury of local art experts. There are many local artists returning to the festival, including Niki Sands and Tanti Hill along with photographer Bill Kutcher. More than 60 percent of the artists are from surrounding states, including California, New Mexico Arizona and Utah, while approximately 40 percent are local.

According to Danielle Bisterfeldt, vice president of marketing for Summerlin, this makes for an exciting and interesting mix of art perspectives and influences, appealing to a wide variety of tastes and price points.

“Mediums include oil, watercolor, pottery, sculpture, photography, glass and jewelry — all in a mix of contemporary and classic designs. There’s something for everyone at the Summerlin Festival of Arts,” she said.

Art is only one element of this full-bodied festival that includes top-notch entertainment, unique experiential attractions and activities for all ages and culinary delights from Downtown Summerlin eateries.

For the kids, interactive art activities at the Children’s Pavilion, hosted by Discovery Children’s Museum, include fall-themed art projects, balloon artists and face-painters. Mascots will be on hand for photos and meet-and-greets. The line-up includes Summerlin Sam, Las Vegas Aces Buckets, Mojave Max, Deputy Drip, Hey Reb, Cosmo and Las Vegas Lights Cash.

Local schools will be well-represented with performances throughout the weekend, including Bishop Gorman Pep Band, Palo Verde High School Band and The Meadows Elite String with Nevada School of the Arts Jazz Band rounding out the schedule. And for the science-minded, the award-winning Faith Lutheran High School Robotics program and the UNLV Engineering School and Nevada Society of Professional Engineers will offer interactive robotics demonstrations and hands-on science activities.

For adults and families, the Downtown Summerlin Farmers Market presented by Universal Solar Direct and “The Art of the Classic Car” presented by the Mustang and Classic Ford Club of Las Vegas provides optional entertainment. And the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open Putt Putt challenge will give everyone a chance to win, in addition to promoting the upcoming Fed Ex Cup PGA TOUR golf tournament coming to TPC Summerlin, Oct. 30-Nov. 4. And, chef Chan Boupha, returns with live pumpkin and vegetable carving demonstrations.

A full schedule of entertainment is headlined by David Goldrake, award-winning grand illusionist whose popular show, “Imaginarium,” enjoyed a successful run at the Tropicana; The Australian Bee Gees, a tribute bands from the Excalibur; Legends in Concert, a pioneering live tribute show playing at the Flamingo; and a line-up of popular local bands, singers and performance groups led by headliners Jeremy Cornwell, Jase Neron, Gary Fowler and UNLV Jazz Ensemble and Dance Dynamics.

The Summerlin Festival of Arts at Downtown Summerlin is free to the public. Sponsors include Lexus of Las Vegas and Lexus of Henderson, Las Vegas Review-Journal and Sunny 106.5.

For more information, visit summerlin.com.