This weekend, Wilkes-Barre's Public Square is alive with the 70th annual Fine Arts Fiesta, where artist Molly May Simko's acrylic 'Turkey Vulture' just won the coveted Best of Show award. The event, celebrating its 70th anniversary, draws thousands to experience a vibrant display of local and regional artistic talent, marking a significant cultural milestone.
A 70-year-old community event risks becoming stale, yet the Fine Arts Fiesta continues to draw diverse artists and performers, offering fresh experiences alongside established traditions. This consistent reinvention, coupled with a strong community commitment to accessible arts, ensures its continued vibrancy and positions it as Wilkes-Barre's premier cultural event, prioritizing emerging local talent and diverse contemporary art forms.
A Hub of Art, Food, and Performance
- This year's Yellow Zinnia Artists' Market features 43 artists and craftspeople, according to timesleader. The Fiesta Food Court also includes 14 food vendors.
- The Fiesta offers music, art, an artisans' marketplace, food, and other attractions, as reported by the Scranton Times-Tribune.
These extensive attractions draw diverse visitors, solidifying its position as a broad community event. The Yellow Zinnia Artists' Market, with 43 artists, forms a significant commercial backbone, a vital economic platform for local creators.
Spotlight on Artists and Performers
Molly May Simko of White Haven received the Best of Show award for her acrylic work, 'Turkey Vulture', according to the Scranton Times-Tribune. Simko's award underscores the Fiesta's enduring embrace of contemporary art, even after seven decades.
The Phil Giordano Jazz Orchestra performs Saturday at 7 p.m. presenting seven decades of jazz music. An exhibit at 58-60 Public Square also showcases 12 area artists who are mothers, open daily during the Fiesta, as reported by timesleader. This breadth of offerings, from a jazz orchestra spanning seven decades to an exhibit celebrating mother artists, positions the Fiesta as a dynamic cultural anchor, catering to diverse tastes and generations and ensuring its continued relevance.
Broader Cultural Connections
The Sordoni Art Gallery at Wilkes University hosted a pop-up lunch series, 'Inspired Bites', on May 11th from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. according to timesleader. Occurring before the main Fiesta dates, this event suggests a broader scope of related cultural programming. This pre-Fiesta event signals wider institutional collaboration, enriching the overall arts scene.
Experience the Fiesta
Admission to the Fine Arts Fiesta is free, as confirmed by the Scranton Times-Tribune. This policy ensures accessibility, fostering widespread community participation. Free admission democratizes cultural access for Wilkes-Barre residents and boosts local commerce.
If its commitment to diverse art forms and community accessibility persists, the Fine Arts Fiesta will likely remain a vibrant cultural cornerstone for Wilkes-Barre for decades to come.
