August 11th, 12th & 13th at Holt Park & Center for the Arts!
Juried Art Show – Short Film Festival – Family Art Activities – Food – Performers – Vendors – Workshops
Thank you for journeying “Through the Looking Glass” with us as ArtsFest returned to Holt Park for a magical trip into Wonderland!
Attendees came in their favorite Wonderland, Steampunk and Victorian garb for a chance to win Best Costume. Alice, the Mad Hatter and the Queen of Hearts were spotted! Guests played a part in the giant chess game, wandered the trails in the enchanted woods, and were amazed by the Jabberwocky! There was a juried art show with over 50+ Maryland artists represented… winners of our 1st ever Youth Art Show in March were on display… along with the entire Wonderland photo series that inspired our posters by this year’s featured artist Kathleen Kline. Most of the art shown was for sale, and many lucky patrons took home a special treasure for themselves!
Our very own “wandering minstrel” Josie Baltimore returned to ArtsFest to entertain us. All this plus great food, art activities for all ages, and unique art & specialty craft vendors made last year’s ArtsFest an event to remember.
Event Program
FRIDAY, AUGUST 11th – 6:00 til 9:00 PM – Wine Tasting & Art Show Preview Party*
- Meet & greet with artists, press, elected officials & collectors
- Live jazz music by Deep Water Jazz Band
- Wine tasting with award-winning Maryland wines from Basignani Winery
- Juried Art Show & Sale, Youth Art Show winners and Wonderland photo series – main house, Garden Cabin & large tent
- Art Silent Auction – small tent near main house
(* For an invitation to the Wine Tasting & Art Show Preview Party, email us at contactus@overleaartsfest.org.)
FRIDAY, AUGUST 11th – 9:30 til 10:30 PM – Short Film Festival (open to the public)
- Screenings of 2023 Juried Short Films from local & national filmmakers – amphitheater
- Complimentary popcorn for all film festival attendees
(* For free tickets to the Short Films Festival, got to our Eventbrite registration page.)
SATURDAY, AUGUST 12th – 11:00 AM til 5:00 PM – Activities Day
- Juried Art Show, Youth Art Show winners and Wonderland photo series on display – main house, Garden Cabin & large tent
- Josie Baltimore performs through the park
- Appearances by the Queen of Hearts and Alice, by Belle Burr and Merely Players
- Be a live piece in a giant chess game – field next to main house
- Costume contest starts at 2:00 pm for children, pets and adults – winners announced by the Queen of Hearts (see info below!)
- Family art & nature activities with Holt Park staff – Nature Cabin & park grounds
- Art & Specialty Craft Vendors – along paved pathways
- Wine & Beer Tent and Food Vendors
- Art Silent Auction – small tent near main house
- Art on the Trails and scavenger hunts – nature pathways in woods
Check out our 2023 Art & Craft Vendors
Check out our 2023 Food, Beer & Wine Vendors
Check out our Holt Park’s Activity Schedule for Saturday
(* For free tickets to the Activities Day, go to our Eventbrite registration page.)
Important Info for Saturday’s costume contest:
All ages of humans and all types of pets are invited to enter our Wonderland Costume contests! Prizes will be given to the top winners in 1 category for kids up to 15 years of age; in 1 category for pets; and in 3 categories for adults 16 years and older. Pets MUST be leashed. Winners will be announced by the Queen of Hearts.
Come in costume and gather at the amphitheater by no later than 2:00 pm to have your photo taken and be viewed by the judges. We are an arts event, so feel free to be as creative and colorful as you like! Have fun and good luck!
Costume Contest for Kids – 2:30 PM – Best Wonderland Costume (Alice, Mad Hatter, White Rabbit, Queen of Hearts or your choice of any other character)
Costume Contest for Pets – 2:45 PM – Best Wonderland Costume (your choice of any character)
Costume contest for Adults – 3:00 PM – Best Wonderland Costume (your choice of any character), Best Steampunk Costume, and Best Victorian Costume
Here’s some inspiration:
SUNDAY, AUGUST 13th – 12 NOON til 4:00 PM – Art Workshop Day
- Juried Art Show, Youth Art Show winners and Wonderland photo series on display – main house, Garden Cabin & large tent
- Workshops for artists & art lovers – park grounds
- Be a live piece in a giant chess game – field next to main house
- Art Silent Auction – small tent near main house
- Juried Art show closes
Check out our Holt Park’s Activity Schedule for Sunday
Check out our Workshop Schedule for Sunday
(* For free tickets to any of the 4 Sunday Workshops, go to our Eventbrite registration pages below)
- How to Approach & Work with Galleries
- Take Better Cell Phone Photos of your Artwork
- Plein Air Painting in the Park
- Create your own wonderland Playing Cards
Additional Event Info
ArtsFest 2023 is generously sponsored by:
Header photo by featured artist Kathleen Kline. Title graphic by Judith Clark.