Whimsical ceramic characters that wink as you walk by, domestic and exotic animals who allow you to pet them, a fairy who paints a glittering swan on your face, and musicians whose songs are brand new each time they perform. These are only some of the imaginative artists and activities that await kids and adults at the 4th Annual CurtisFest on Saturday, September 11th. Presented by the Sierra Curtis Neighborhood Association (SCNA), Curtis Fest will be held from 10am until 4pm in Curtis Park, an eighteen-acre parcel of ground surrounded by quaint bungalows and shaded by heritage trees.

CurtisFest was established in 2007 to give local artists a venue at which to exhibit and sell their work. This free fall event will feature almost sixty artists and artisans who will present samples of their creations, great food from local vendors, live music, and a craft area where kids can have fun and make art themselves. Ceramicists, watercolorists, jewelry artists, photographers, potters, portraitists, fabric and giclee artists, and many more will be on hand to provide a fall feast of visual delight.

The photography of Eleakis and Elder, Francisco Dominguez and Donald Satterlee will be displayed at the festival. Doug Wylie, Lori Ervin and Wes Ervin will present their ceramics and pewter; Gerilyn Maslowski her vases, wall tiles, and pottery; Mickey Abbey his stained glass; and Patt Illouli her ink, watercolor house portraits and general portraits. Laville Logan will display her original and giclee prints, watercolors, and soft pastels; Wendi Weston her handmade totes, and Susan Barnes’ her oils and watercolors. Yoly Petra Stroeve will also offer her paintings, and Robyn Slakey her garden totem poles and ceramic vertical sculptures. Painter Reine River will be there with her watercolors, acrylics and pastels, and Natalie Thiele with her broken tile mosaics.

A number of innovative ceramicists will bring their work to share with attendees. Ellen Huls fanciful “kitschy characters” will be joined by the ceramics of Sharon Bloom and the creations of Rosalie Roth. Phyllis Koessler’s pottery and ceramics will be on display, as well as Denise Wilken and Joan McClellan’s handmade scarves, jewelry, birdhouses, and table runners. Marsha Elam will offer her ceramics, jewelry and collage.

Heading off the early-entry artists who work in jewelry and related media are Olga Barmina and Paula Forman with their “From the Heart Hair Clips” and June Bug Jewelry, Caron Gregg and her beaded jewelry and jewelry boxes, and Dot Edwards with her jewelry, glass and mosaics. The jewelry of Mary and Lee Coldren will be shown, as well as the jewelry and mixed media of Jodi Queenan, and Gale Lee and Jodi Vidad’s handcrafted costume jewelry and handmade fabric totes. Attendees at this year’s CurtisFest will also be able to enjoy the jewelry art of Linda McAtee, of Leticia Botello, and of Sandi Osterman. Finally, Christi Hunter will be at the event with her sterling silver jewelry and art glass vessels.

There will be lots more for attendees to do as they delight in the work of the visual artists. Offering their musical take on the richly creative atmosphere of CurtisFest will be the improvisational project band Instagon. Begun in 1993 as a musical experiment in the unexpectedly compelling sounds that can be created from everyday objects and situations, Instagon formed when a number of local musicians began incorporating this “noise” into a fusion of progressive rock, jazz, and drunge punk. Different musicians join Instagon for each performance, keeping the vibe crisp, intoxicating, and very much alive.

In 2007 a trio of musicians from Instagon developed the idea of creating a band with a solid lineup of jazz cover-versions of popular songs and riffs. The idea caught on with fans, and Garage Jazz Architects was born. Now on indie label TIF Recordings, Garage Jazz Architects will bring their spontaneous garage-jazz covers to CurtisFest to share with all.

The third musical group on board for CurtisFest is The Mike Justis Band. After performing together throughout northern California for twenty-five years with the popular band, Poetic Justis, Steve Mc Iane, Kathy Barwick and Mike Justis formed a trio to bring their mix of country rock and blues to venues in and around Sacramento.

Children are perhaps the most special part of CurtisFest, and this year’s festival offers two events that have proven to captivate children of all ages. Voted 2010 Family Favorite by the Bay Area Parent magazine, Happily Ever Laughter is an ensemble of specially-trained performers who’ve created a cast of singular characters to entertain at all sorts of children’s events. These professional “faeries” are known to enthrall children with not only their extraordinary face-painting, singing, magic, and balloon art, but also their genuine connection to the children with whom they “play.”

After conversing with the fairy from Happily Ever Laughter, kids can wind their way over to visit the animals of Pony Ranch Parties. The law firm of Soluri Meserve is sponsoring this first-ever CurtisFest petting zoo. Expert at providing a safe and fun experience for both children and animals, Pony Ranch Parties introduces children to a variety of domestic and exotic animals. The adult staff members of Pony Ranch Parties go the extra mile to share and teach in this memorable interactive experience.

No event would be complete without great food, and CurtisFest’s blend of culinary items will not disappoint. The first vegan food cart in Sacramento, Happy Go Lucky will offer its gourmet, healthy street food to the patrons of this year’s festival. Happy go Lucky was voted Best Vegetarian Food Cart by the Sacramento News & Review. Soon to be featured on an episode of the Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, Dad’s Kitchen will be on hand to offer its scrumptious cuisine. Chunk's Stand By Me is the lifelong dream of street food enthusiast Ryan "Chunk" Filippini, who prides himself on his quality hot dogs, hot links and hot pastrami, all served on fresh baked rolls. And when ready for something cool to finish the experience off, kids and adults can enjoy Shasta Valley Shaved Ice’s frozen treats.

This richly-conceived celebration of creativity and community is offered free to children and adults of the Sacramento area. “It’s got something for everyone,” says Dusty Miller, one of the event’s organizers. “And it’s a great lead-in to Second Saturday.” Event chairperson Nicole Soluri agrees. “The community of artists and artisans participating in this year’s CurtisFest is incredibly talented, diverse and enthusiastic” says Soluri. “Our city will not be disappointed.”

For more information on the Sierra Curtis Neighborhood Associations 4th Annual CurtisFest, call (916) 452-3005 or email faith@sierra2.org. Those interested in knowing more--and in hearing about new participating artists and vendors--can also follow CurtisFest on Facebook. Posters and postcards highlighting the event, designed by Curtis Park artist Scott Gordinier, can be seen throughout Sacramento.

The Sierra Curtis Neighborhood Association (SCNA) formed in the 1970’s to rescue the old Sierra School from demolition. Since then, SCNA has brought neighbors together for a diverse slate of year-round events, and has offered a cohesive voice for community concerns. The restored Sierra 2 Center serves as a focal point for artists, teachers, students, parents, children, and seniors, who rely upon its dance studios, gardens, performance spaces, meeting halls and class rooms to provide a secure, charming home. Curtis Park is a neighborhood of approximately 2500 homes, a patchwork of diverse architectural styles situated around a quaint park.