Art Festival Brings Thousands Downtown

Jaime Hipolito keeps his Mexican heritage alive through the art of weaving.

The 26-year-old eighth-generation weaver fashions bright geometrically patterned rugs on a hand-built wood loom, something he demonstrated at the Danville Fine Art Faire Saturday afternoon.

"I like making things with my hands, and this is my family tradition," said Hipolito, one of about 200 artists who set up shop along Hartz Avenue during the first day of the event, which continues through Sunday.

Organizers said about 20,000 people walked through downtown Saturday and that they expect 30,000 to 40,000 to have attended by the end of Father's Day.

"This is a really big deal for Danville," said Jennifer Lundahl, a town employee who works with the Danville Chamber of Commerce to put on the fair. "It brings a lot of people here."

Food, street musicians, face-painting and chalk artists made for entertaining diversions between the vendor offerings. A kid's area kept the little ones busy and dog owners were out in full force to enjoy the celebration of art with their four-legged friends.

Fair-goers came from around the Bay Area and beyond to browse the art offerings, including hand-blown glass, whimsical watercolors and quirky metal sculptures formed from castoff fire extinguishers and springs. Jewelers displayed a range of playful baubles to finely crafted precious metals and gemstones.

Many of the artists traveled from across the state to show their work this weekend. Andy Anh Ha came from Los Angeles to showcase his paintings of bold lotus and orchid flowers, some set against Chinese newsprint.

Bryon Sutherland, a glass artist, made the trip from the rural south Central Valley town of Gridley. His bubbly, intensely colored bowls and glass sculptures caught the eyes of many. He said the downtown fair is a prime destination for artisans like himself if only because the setting and weather tend to be so pleasant.

"Worth the trip," he said. "Obviously, I'm here."

At a glance
The festival will continue from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday along Hartz Avenue in downtown Danville.