The North Dakota State Fair Center is excited to be hosting Artfest, October 14 & 15, 2011. Artfest is a two-day festival that has been held annually for over 30 years. Artfest is designed to show the visual arts of a region in an intimate environment, where the public can browse, shop and visit with artists about their art.
Each year, Artfest has a “Famous Artist” theme. This year’s theme is “Moulin Rouge with Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec”. Toulouse-Lautrec was a French painter, printmaker, draftsman, and illustrator. He is known as one of the greatest painters of the Post-Impressionist period, along with Cézanne, Van Gogh, and Gauguin. His style was also influenced by the classical Japanese woodprints.
Both days of Artfest feature very different activities. Friday, October 14th is Premier Night. This is a ticket only social event that from 7-10pm. Premier Night is an elegant affair with layers of hors d’oeuvres and cocktails. Tickets are $25 for non-members, $20 for members and $30 at the door. They can be purchased at the Taube Art Museum, Art Main and Artistry Hairstylists. Attendees must be 21. Saturday, October 15th is a family orientated event. Parents come to shop and visit with the artists and the children may participate in a scavenger Hunt for art supplies to create their own Toulouse-Lautrec inspired masterpiece for $1. Entry fees are $2 per person. Children ten and under are free.