KENNESAW, Ga. | Feb 21, 2023

Annual event celebrating the arts scheduled for Saturday, Mar. 18

Kennesaw State University’s School of Art and Design will present its annual family-friendly Spring Arts Festival on Saturday, March 18, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The free Festival features activities for all ages and interests at Chastain Pointe Studios, across from the main campus in Kennesaw. 

“This year’s Spring Arts Festival will once again feature our popular Artists’ Market,” says Prof. Craig Brasco, who is helping to organize the popular event. Visitors will be able to meet School of Art and Design students, see their artwork, and even purchase items to take home. Browse booths of over 60 artists, ranging from freshman to alumni. “The Festival is a great time to celebrate our students while welcoming to the community to ArtsKSU,” adds Brasco. 

The Festival will be held rain or shine, as many of the events are held inside the studio. If there’s no rain, guests will enjoy three outdoor events brought back by popular demand. Glassblower Kelly Robertson with Calvary Glass will be creating artistic glass wares and have pieces available to purchase. Helani Fogleman will bring her blacksmithing to KSU; patrons may even buy handmade forged metal items. As festivalgoers watch, chalk artists Zack Herndon and Jessi Queen will once again create a visual masterpiece with something as seemingly simple as chalk.

After observing the artists outside, visitors may be eager to create their own artwork inside the Chastain Pointe Studios with a variety of workshops. Prof. Chris Hall will lead visitors in creating odd images of famous artists on a large magnetic board, leading to some unusual visuals and maybe a laugh or two. Comic strips have made people smile for decades; patrons can create their own 3-panel comic with Prof. Chris Malone. 

Prof. Cynthia Lollis will show visitors how a letterpress works on pre-printed RISOgraphic images. Then, visitors may take a free print home with them. Prof. Marc Brotherton will guide visitors into creating their own paintings during his workshop, and Elizabeth Thomas of the Zuckerman Museum of Art will lead a workshop in stencil art. 

Next, visitors may make their own soft, huggable sculptures. Prof. Amanda Britton will teach visitors how to build and sew soft sculptures using a mixture of fabrics and stuffing. Prof. Keith Smith will help patrons cast different items – including trinkets and key chains – using resin and rubber molds. Prof. Matt Hafner will demonstrate photography methods and techniques, helping even the novice photographer to create beautiful work.

New this year is Prof. Kristine Kim in her workshop on creating windchimes using a special Korean paper. Next, patrons can create their own masterpieces with clay, paint with watercolors, or create a custom drawing with Prof. Rick Garner.

Visitors will enjoy perusing the popular Pin-Up Show, featuring artwork from kindergarten students to high school seniors from area schools. Last year, ten area K-12 schools participated in the. Pin-Up Show. 

The 2023 Spring Arts Festival will be held in person on Saturday, March 18, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at KSU’s Chastain Pointe Studios, 1200 Chastain Road, Suite 115, Kennesaw, GA 30144. The event is free and open to the public. For the latest updates, maps, and schedules, please visit KSUArtsFestival.com. 

--Kathie Beckett