Countdown to PortFest: PortFest Art Gallery Tent - viewing art in the Great Outdoors

Imagine a large airy tent filled with sunlight and laced with wafting breezes. The soft and calming sounds of the outdoors mixed with live jazz music fill the tent and soft green grass cushions the floor. Now, fill the walls with amazing pieces of art ranging from the very abstract to realist, woodcuts to oil paintings, photography to charcoal renderings. The PortFest Art Galley tent will be just that nirvana waiting for you to visit on May 16th between 11:00 AM and 5:00 PM.

This very special exhibition featuring over thirty artists, many of whom are from Port Washington, was co-curated by artists Michele Garfield and Rachelle Krieger. Rachelle is an acclaimed local artist who is uniquely qualified to work on the this PortFest Art Galley tent. She has an impressive portfolio and is currently serving on the Art Advisory Council at the Port Washington Public Library. “I love the emphasis on local: when you buy art at PortFest you are giving back to local artists who are giving back to the community by giving 50% of every sale to HEARTS. This in turn helps fund grants that include programming for art enrichment in Port Washington schools” stated Rachelle. This “local-centric” Port Washington gallery will be a unique opportunity to see a stunning and diverse cross section of the Port Washington Art Community, and to meet many of the participating artists. The PortFest Art Galley Tent conveys a virtual “local farmer’s market of art”….the philosophy of keeping local by buying local. And why not with all the accredited and talented artists that are right here in our own community? Please click this link to read all the inspiring bios and preview some of the work that will be shown.

Last year the PortFest Art Galley Tent was filled with curious young people that loved the opportunity to discuss the displayed art with the artists that created them. Many dialogues and discussions on art happened throughout the day perhaps even inspiring a few budding young artists. New this year is the addition of live jazz and an art demonstration by Dominic Commisso. Dominic will create a Pop Art Graffiti piece LIVE in the PortFest Art Galley Tent between 12:00-2:00. Have you ever wondered what inspires an artist and what the process is? This is your chance to witness it firsthand.

All the art displayed will be for sale with 50% of each sale going equally to the local artist and to HEARTS. The artwork is very affordable and both cash and credit cards will be accepted.

PortFest is a Music, Arts and Community Festival in Port Washington Long Island. Live music, art exhibits, local musicians, dance performances, interactive hands-on family exhibits, and performance groups from across the school district and community are just some of the scheduled events and activities. Bring a blanket, chairs and your appetite as local vendors and specialty gourmet food trucks will be ready to handle the hungry crowd.

A new and exciting addition to PortFest will be the outdoor PortFest Café featuring poetry readings, dance and musical performances and an exhibition of student artwork. Sit down, relax in the shade and enjoy Coffee drinks from Coffeed and treats from Sweet Comfort that will be available for purchase. There will be a Silent Auction featuring over 50 different items and experiences to bid on including a, Tickets to Big Apple Circus, Tickets to Hershey Park, Tickets to the Broadway show “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night”, Mets tickets, dinner certificates to local Port Washington restaurants, cooking lessons, Tickets to Kelly and Michael, a Dolce and Gabbana handbag, tons of art and so much more!

PortFest is HEARTS (Helping Enrich the Arts) largest annual fundraiser. Since inception 4 years ago, HEARTS has been able to fund over $100,000 in new program grants to enrich art, music, theater, and writing programming throughout the Port Washington School District.

Admission to PortFest is FREE and there will be plenty of free parking at the Schreiber High School Campus 101 Campus Drive Port Washington, NY 11050.

For a schedule of events for PortFest, log onto www.pwportfest.org. To connect with HEARTS, as a volunteer or to make a donation, log onto www.heartspw.org or www.facebook.com/heartspw or email heartspw@gmail.com

A Crowdrise account has been established for PortFest. Below is a link to Crowdrise, which will enable you to set up a fundraising tool that you can share via email or social media.…Come “Join The Team”

https://www.crowdrise.com/fundraise-and-volunteer/the-team/portfest2015/heartspw

9�ӟ�L