Norcross Art Fest 2012 Distributes Charitable Proceeds

October 16, 2012 By

When festival-goers think of Norcross Art Fest, they picture colorful artisans, live entertainment, an energetic Kidz Zone, great food…and wonderful volunteers.  Perhaps, the most important feature of the award-winning annual event is the “art of giving” which happens behind the scenes. In 2011, $12,000 of the proceeds raised for Art Fest were given to the Norcross Lions Club who distributed the much needed funds to local and community projects and charities.  This kind and friendly civic club helped start the annual celebration of the arts when it was called “Norcross Fall Festival” more than nine years ago.  Some of these worthy organizations that receive money include:  Georgia Council for the Blind, Georgia Special Olympics, Leader Dogs for the Blind, Norcross Cooperative Ministries, Norcross High School, Norcross Meals on Wheels and many other important causes.

This year, Norcross Art Fest 2012 has once again committed the same funds to help benefit these same deserving groups and non-profits that the Norcross Lions Club serves.  Each one of these recipients looks forward to the much-needed money to help run their services and activities. A complete listing of recipients will be published in January 2013.

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Norcross Art Fest Announces Winning Artist for Poster and T-shirt Contest

July 9, 2012 By

The 2012 feature artist for Norcross Art Fest is the very talented and imaginative Lynn Reeder from Stockbridge, Georgia.  She is the winner of Art Fest’s annual poster contest, and her colorful piece is fun, vibrant and original – just like the City of Norcross.

Reeder explains that she “loves crows, and the painting depicts the simple act of giving.”  She states, “just offering another individual a small present such as a flower shows kindness and thoughtfulness.” The friendly artisan, a graduate of Atlanta’s Portfolio Center, says that art is always a wonderful gift to share with friends and family.  Her two sisters are also accomplished artists as is her mother.  What creative genes!

The local artist is perhaps best known for her inventive “carved paintings” which are always a big hit at Norcross Art Fest.  In an inventive process that Reeder created, she begins each carved piece with sheet rock mud.  “I love going to stores like Lowes instead of art supply shops.  It’s much more fun and affordable,” laughs the artist.  She then applies the compound to a wood base, carves into the material, and then paints on it with metallic acrylic paint.  After the artwork is dry, she then puts on a stain and polymer resin as a finishing touch.  “I just wanted to do something that would stand out and be original,” continues Reeder.  She truly is an original!

Make sure to stop by her booth at Norcross Art Fest on October 6 and 7 to see the fantastic booth and show-stopping images.

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Norcross Art Fest “Event of the Year”

December 9, 2011 By

The Gwinnett Convention and Visitors Bureau bestowed the honor of “Event of The Year” to Norcross Art Fest at their annual holiday luncheon held at the Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center in Buford, Georgia. The beautiful facility was the perfect venue for the hospitality industry’s award celebration. Cindy Flynn and Frances Schube of Splash Festivals Inc., producers of the event, were thrilled to receive the trophy. “I can’t wait to give this beautiful glass sculpture to Bucky Johnson, because I think it would look great on the Mayor’s desk,” laughs Flynn. Lisa Anders, Deputy Director of the Gwinnett CVB, presented the award and commented that Norcross Art Fest does a wonderful job attracting visitors to the area and filling hotel rooms. Attendees of the ceremony also included Gwinnett hotel executives, general managers and restaurateurs.

Inside Gwinnett Magazine also has named Norcross Art Fest “Best Festival” by their readers for both 2010 and 2011. “Art Fest is truly a team effort. We have incredible volunteers, a wonderful committee and a super City staff that is there with us all the way,” explains Schube “We have more than 400 community helpers, students from Norcross High School, scouts from several troops, and even our Mayor and Councilmen are there to help make Art Fest a winner. Some of these tireless workers meet and greet the artisans at 4:30 am when it is still dark outside. They are the true heroes,” says Flynn.

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Norcross Art Fest Benefits Lions Club

December 5, 2011 By

Splash Festivals is proud to support the charities and programs of the Norcross Lions Club with proceeds from Norcross Art Fest.  Through the efforts of the Lions Club, “problems get smaller and the communities get better.”  That is because they help where help is needed—in our own communities and around the world—with unmatched integrity and energy. Internationally, 45,000 clubs and more than 1.35 million members make them the world’s largest service club organization.  They are also one of the most effective.  Lions are focused on helping the blind and sight impaired. The Norcross Club provides leader dogs for the blind; cornea transplants in cooperation with Emory University; eyeglasses for those in financial distress, especially school children; an annual camp for blind children located in Waycross and book recordings for the blind.  They also contribute to other charities like the Local Cooperative Ministry and the American Cancer Society.  The Norcross Club even recognizes, each school month, a Norcross high student outstanding in academics and service to his/her community or school with a certificate and $100 check.  Norcross Art Fest provides significant funding for all of the above Lions activities and more.

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Entertainment

November 9, 2011 By

Join us at Norcross Art Fest 2012 for a special Saturday evening concert beginning at 6pm with Julie Gribble!

Julie Gribble is a fresh face on the Americana/Country scene. Newly moved to Nashville, she has found her voice…a unique, powerful, and honest tone with one of a kind lyrical storytelling all wrapped up with hints of bluegrass, traditional country, with her main base in Americana.   Julie grew up doing theatre, then moved on to film and television. When she moved to LA she decided to see if her dream of being a singer/songwriter could be a reality. After only a few open mics, and a lot of practice and determination, her first gig was offered to her. After that…she fell in love with music in a different way. Within a year she had recorded a CD, was signed to a small label and was on her first tour. Eight years later, Gribble’s resume has been packed full of national tv guest appearances, touring, festivals, being the face of certain brands, numerous television and film licensing on major network shows, an endorsement with Martin Guitars, and a large supporting role in a Sony Pictures film. Best part about all of this? She did it all on her OWN! Gribble is proof that hard work generosity, and honesty do pay off!

Throughout this newfound music career, Gribble has had the honor of opening up for such legends as Billy Joe Shaver and to perform her original tunes on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson  Julie still books her own shows, answers every fan email, and yes, sometimes needs a nap along the way, but loves what she does! Gribble says, ‘It’s about this amazing journey I’m able to be a part of. The music, fans, & laughter that happen along the way is the best part and I’m reminded everyday how blessed I am to be able to share my heart through music and hopefully touch a soul or two along the way!”

Norcross Art Fest 2012 Musical Performances Line-up

Saturday—October 6

 

11:00-12:00             Jeannie Caryn             http://www.jeanniecaryn.com

12:30-1:30                Lance Price                http://www.LancePrice.net

2:00-3:00               Wesley Cook               http://www.wesleycook.com

4:30-5:30                Guilty Pleasure          http://www.gpband.com

6:00-8:00                Julie Gribble             http://www.juliegribble.net

Sunday—October 7

 12:00-12:45               Lee Gamble               http://www.sonicbids.com/leegamble

 1:00-2:00                  Yoeshi Roberts          http://www.yoeshiroberts.com

 2:30-3:30                  Davin McCoy            http://www.davinmccoy.com

 4:00-5:00                 The Villains                http://www.thevillainsband.com

 

 


 


Filed Under: Festival Events, News