Third Season Kick-off Meeting - Mesa Arts and Culture Festival (MACFest)
Tue September 14, 2010
Photo by MACFest Vice Chair, Denise A. Currier
Who: Artists, merchants, media, volunteers and stakeholders are invited to attend.
What: Cindy Ornstein, Executive Director of the Mesa Arts Center and the Arts & Culture Director for the City of Mesa, and Vern Mathern, Chair of MACFest, will be co-chairing the meeting to share plans for MACFest’s Third Season (to begin Oct. 2, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.). Topics will include dates, the addition of monthly live entertainment, the new location of the Information Booth, explanation of artist booth space rental (canopy versus table only), on-line registration for artists and information on how to make a difference and volunteer with MACFest “ASK ME”. Additionally, rental of 10 x 10 foot exhibition spaces are available through the Mesa Arts Center Box Office or on-line at www.macfestmesa.com on a first-come-first-served basis starting Wednesday, September 15, 2010. Time will be allocated for input and questions. Suggestions from all meeting participants are encouraged to ensure greater success for MACFest’s Third Season.
Where: Mesa Arts Center (One E. Main St.)
Dobson Lecture Hall atMesa Contemporary Arts’
The Mesa Contemporary Arts’ galleries will be open for free from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. for all meeting attendees. The museum is showcasing contemporary American Indian artwork in three new exhibitions.
When: Tuesday, September 14
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
______
The MACFest Third Season event is free to the public Every Saturday, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM, October 2, 2010 – April 30, 2011 with the exception of December 11, December 25 and January 1, Downtown Mesa, Arizona, starting at Main and Macdonald Streets.
MACFest a success and is here to stay, Mesa mayor says - by Art Thomason - The Arizona Republic
Thu April 29, 2010
The Valley's only weekly fall-through-spring arts festival has taken root in downtown Mesa and is there to stay despite early predictions to the contrary.
That's the appraisal of city officials, arts activists, volunteers and downtown stakeholders who vowed to do all they can to sustain the Mesa Arts and Culture Festival as a continuing signature event.
"A lot of people didn't give you two months," Mayor Scott Smith told the group as they met to dissect the festival's second season, which ended Saturday, and start planning its next installment, which begins in October.
The mayor was referring to pessimism that the festival would incur the same fate as many other previous downtown events.
"We really are committed to what you're doing," he said, and added that "a lot of great things happening in downtown are a direct result of the successes of MACFest."
Held on 26 Saturdays during its seven-month season, the festival drew 31,000 people to arts and crafts on the sidewalks of Main Street, said Vern Mathern, the festival's organizing committee chairman.
Fifty percent of the artists recorded sales of $50 or less per Saturday while 20.6 percent reported sales of $100 to $250 per day, he said.
Though the figures are not indicative of expensive pieces of art or high-volume sales, they are not bad considering that the festival's exhibit space fee is only $15 per day, festival organizers said.
MACFest has sprouted, Smith said, because of the creativity of its participants and their willingness to take chances.
"It's about not being afraid to get out of your comfort zone," he said. "That's why I think MACFest will continue to build."
"Every community needs a rebirth," the mayor said. "It needs to go through transitions."
MACFest, he said, generates a sense of community by people who create things while enjoying being with others who create things.
Kyle Jones, Mesa councilman from the 4th district, which includes downtown, said the success of MACFest and its correlation with other downtown, played a major role in a decision to hold a Fourth of July weekend freedom festival on Friday and Saturday, July 2 and 3.
MACFest End of Season II Gathering - invitation
Tue April 27, 2010
Native American Art Festival joins MACFest - AZcentral.com
MACFest Goes Red in the Spirit of Love - You can too
Tue January 26, 2010
MACFEST Goes RED in the Spirit of Love
What: On Saturday, Feb. 6 and Saturday, Feb. 13 MACFest, a Mesa Arts and Culture Festival will feature its “wear red” event in commemoration of Valentine’s Day. MACFest’s weekly celebration in downtown Mesa features unique arts and crafts creations from local artists. For two special Saturdays when patrons wear red, they will be offered discounts on items from participating artist booths displaying the official MACFest red-heart flyer. This is an opportunity to purchase original, handcrafted items for your loved ones and also support your local art community!
Where: Downtown Mesa
Main and Macdonald Streets
www.macfestmesa.com
480 644-6500
When: Every Saturday through April 24, 2010
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
“Wear Red” Event
Saturday, Feb. 6 and Saturday, Feb. 13
Cost: Free to the public
FARMERS’ MARKET PARTNERS WITH MACFEST - Gears up for 1st season
Tue January 12, 2010
FARMERS’ MARKET PARTNERS WITH MACFEST
Downtown Mesa will be buzzing with activity with the return of Mesa’s weekly celebration of Mesa Arts and Culture Festival (MACFest) beginning Saturday, October 3. MACFest is a free event featuring unique artist creations, music and fun for the whole family. The 2009-2010 season will be every Saturday, October 3 – April 24 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with the exception of December 26 and January 2. MACFest artists’ booths will start on Macdonald Street and go along Main Street.
MACFest is the brainchild of Johann Zietsman, Executive Director of the Mesa Arts Center and the Arts & Cultural Director for the City of Mesa. Johann commented: "We received a lot of positive feedback from visitors last year, and our second season will see improvements based on this feedback. A frequent request was for a Farmers’ Market, and we are delighted that Dee Logan agreed to partner with us - this will no doubt expand the visitor experience, and increase the downtown buzz on Saturdays!" The much anticipated farmers’ market is partnering with MACFest beginning October 24 - 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and every Saturday through May. Dee Logan, Senior Coordinator of the Arizona Community Farmers’ Market Group related the plan is to focus on food and farming items such as locally farmed and in-season produce, breads, jams and jellies. (For more information on the farmers’ market, visit www.arizonafarmersmarket.com.) The farmers’ market will be located on north Macdonald at Main Street.
MACFest’s Executive Committee have been diligently planning additional themed events, live entertainment and have increased the advertising and promotion of MACFest, both on-line (Facebook, Twitter, Showup.com/event, etc.) as well as print publications and planned community TV & radio spots.
Last season’s attendance was estimated at 30,000 with nearly 200 artists participating. The upcoming 2009-2010 season will surely exceed those numbers due to the partnership with the farmers’ market, additional themed events, live entertainment, and increased media exposure and promotion.
MACFest 2009-2010 Season - 2nd Annual MACFest
Mon October 05, 2009
Downtown Mesa will be buzzing with activity with the return of Mesa’s weekly celebration of Mesa Arts and Culture Festival (MACFest) beginning the first Saturday in October.
MACFest is a free event featuring unique artist creations, music and fun for the whole family. The 2009-2010 season will be every Saturday, October 3 – April 24 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with the exception of December 26 and January 2. MACFest artists’ booths will start on Macdonald Street and go along Main Street.
MACFest is the brainchild of Johann Zietsman, Executive Director of the Mesa Arts Center and the Arts & Cultural Director for the City of Mesa. In it’s inaugural season, MACFest attendance was estimated at 30,000 with nearly 200 artists participating. The upcoming 2009-2010 season will surely exceed those numbers due to the partnership with the farmers’ market, additional themed events, live entertainment, and increased media exposure and promotion.
The much anticipated farmers’ market is partnering with MACFest beginning October 24 - 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and every Saturday through May. Dee Logan, Senior Coordinator of the Arizona Community Farmers’ Market Group related the plan is to focus on food and farming items such as locally farmed and in-season produce, breads, jams and jellies.
JAMMIN’ AT MACFEST - Kicks off season 2
Sat October 03, 2009
JAMMIN’ AT MACFEST
October 3, 2009
Who: Public and media
What: Mesa’s weekly celebration of Mesa Arts and Culture Festival (MACFest) will be kicking off it’s second season on October 3 (10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.). Live entertainment will be performed at various times throughout the day.
Courtney Chayne, Country music (www.myspace.com/courtneychayne)
11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Jen Timmer, Indie/Pop/Rock music (www.myspace.com/jentimmer
12:15 p.m. – 12:45 p.m.
Darkeyed Juncos, Class Rock/Rock music (www.myspace.com/thedarkeyedjuncos)
Two sets:
1:00 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.
2:00 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.
My Dearest Juliet, Pop/Jam Band (www.myspace.com/mydearestjuliet)
3:00 p.m. to close
Where: Downtown Mesa
Northeast corner of Main & Mcdonald Streets (near the Bank of America)
Cost: Free to the public
MACFest Exhibition Spaces on Sale September 1 -
Sat August 01, 2009
MACFest Exhibition Spaces on Sale September 1
Who: All artists
What: Mesa’s weekly celebration of Mesa Arts and Culture Festival (MACFest) will be
kicking off it’s second season beginning October 3 (10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.) and
continuing through April 24 (with the exception of December 26 and January 2). MACFest is a free event featuring unique artist creations, a Farmers’ Market (beginning October 24 - 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.), music and fun for the whole family.
Where: Downtown Mesa
Artists will start on Macdonald Street and go along Main Street.
Farmer’s Market will be located on north Macdonald at Main Street.
When: Rental of 10 x 10 foot exhibition spaces are available through Mesa Arts Center Box Office on Tuesday, September 1, 2009 or on-line at www.MACFestMesa.com on a first-come-first-served basis.
How: New artists can register at the Mesa Arts Center Box Office beginning Tuesday September 1, 2009.
For MACFest tips and guidelines please view www.MACFestMesa.com. To be included on the MACFest e-mail list and for general information, email boxoffice@mesaartscenter.com.
Cost: Free to the public
Artist participation is $15 per week per artist
MACFest will Draw Crowds to Mesa Every Saturday - Weekly Arts Festival Launches
Sat October 04, 2008
MACFest will Draw Crowds to Mesa Every Saturday
Weekly Arts Festival Launches Saturday, Oct. 4, 2008
(MESA, Ariz.) Starting Saturday, October 4, 2008, Mesa will join cities like Santa Barbara with a weekly arts and cultural festival. The event will take place every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. – May and will host an array of food, live music, and most importantly, original artwork from artists throughout the Valley and Arizona. MACFest will take place on Main Street from Sirrine to Morris in downtown Mesa.
The purpose of MACFest is to provide a free, regularly held celebration in downtown Mesa featuring creations from local artists, food, live music, and fun for the whole family. MACFest will also offer a consistent, easy, and affordable way for the many wonderful artists in Mesa, the Valley, and Arizona to expose and sell their work.
MACFest is the brainchild of Johann Zietsman, Executive Director of the Mesa Arts Center, and the Arts and Cultural Director for the City of Mesa. Zietsman was involved in the launch of a similar event in a South African city comparable to the size of Mesa, where the event quickly drew 20,000 people and several hundred artists each week. Zietsman refined the idea based on what he learned in South Africa and proposed it in Mesa at a public meeting on July 30, 2008. Support was immediate and a committee made up of the public quickly formed.
“I was thrilled when Johann Zietsman announced his proposal for MACFest so I attended the initial public meetings. As a member of Mesa’s Downtown Development Committee, I saw an opportunity to become more deeply involved in downtown dynamics. Other citizens at the meetings pointed to me to head up the organizing committee and I accepted without hesitation. I believe MACFest has great potential to draw more visitors to downtown Mesa on a regular basis and to increase business for the merchants. I firmly believe that the arts are vitally important for economic development.” said Vern Mathern, President of the MACFest Committee.
City of Mesa officials have also jumped on board with MACFest. Councilmember Dina Higgins is going to purchase an exhibition space for her artwork. “I think that MACFest is a brilliant idea and I would like to support the event as an artist and a citizen of Mesa. This event is a great way to showcase our City to tourists and all of Arizona.” said Higgins.
Call to Artists: Exhibition spaces are $15 per week and are available through the Mesa Arts Center Box Office at 480-644-6500 on a first come first serve basis. Spaces are going quickly with 41 sold in the first week. Artists can acquire their City of Mesa tax license for $50 by visiting http://www.cityofmesa.org/salestax/pdf/MACFest.pdf or calling Karen Rounsborg at 480-644-3359. Artists will need proof of the Mesa City Sales Tax number to initially sign up at the Mesa Arts Center Box Office. For MACFest tips and guidelines and to get on the MACFest e-mail list contact Sharon Sieben at ssiebenart@cox.net. For event logistics contact Courtney Tjaden at 480-644-6627 or courtney.tjaden@cityofmesa.org.
ABOUT MACFest
MACFest is a community-owned, “made by me” arts and cultural festival. The purpose of MACFest is to revitalize downtown Mesa, to support downtown merchants, to offer artists a regular, affordable opportunity to sell their work, and to build a sense of community in Mesa. The event is guided by the following principles it will be simple and easy, affordable to exhibitors, held regularly and frequently, owned and monitored by stakeholders, it will stick to the main goals, and only quality, original, handmade arts and crafts will be exhibited. The event is managed by a committee of community artists, merchants, and volunteers. MACFest occurs every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct.-May on Main Street from Sirrine to Morris in downtown Mesa.
FARMERS’ MARKET PARTNERS WITH MACFEST
Downtown Mesa will be buzzing with activity with the return of Mesa’s weekly celebration of Mesa Arts and Culture Festival (MACFest) beginning the first Saturday in October.
JAMMIN’ AT MACFEST