It’s beginning to feel like HOLIDAY MARKET TIME!

We know that there are lots of things to do this weekend…but we also know that you do not want to miss Festival Fete’s Holiday Market at Rhodes on the Pawtuxet this Sunday! We have a fantastic group of artisans and craftspeople, entertainers and food vendors, arts and crafts for the kids, and more… so come check it out from 10am to 6pm this Sunday, 12/8 and the following two Sundays, 12/15 and 12/22.

Gorgeous jewelry by Maji Jewelry will be there! http://www.etsy.com/shop/MajiJewelry

Laurie-Annya Linfoot http://www.forthebirdsct.com

Jennifer Rashleigh http://www.cedianpainting.com

…and Mantra!

Jennifer Neuguth http://www.mymantramylife.com will be in the house! Woot woot!

Many thanks to our sponsor:

A Festival Fete Announcement!

Jennifer & Pilar working together at the Garden City Art Festival

Have you heard the news?  Jennifer Neuguth, founder of Festival Fete, has transferred the ownership of Festival Fete to the very capable hands of Pilar Brennar so that she can dedicate herself to her new business, MANTRA.  Jennifer and Pilar have been working together over these past few months to make sure that Pilar knows all the “ins and outs” of running the business. And lucky for us all, Jennifer will continue to work with Festival Fete in support of Art is Smart and the Creation Station. Please read the following messages from Pilar and Jennifer.

Jennifer Neuguth, successful entrepreneur starts a new business, MANTRA!

Dear Friends,

I would like to thank all the many artists, young artists, sponsors and patrons that have supported Festival Fete from the beginning.

I have completely enjoyed working in the arts!

Please, keep in touch as I start a new journey at My Mantra. My life.  www.mymantramylife.com

Cheers,

Jennifer

Pilar Brenner – new owner of Festival Fete!

Hello to all the artists, supporters, and fans of Festival Fete!

I’m sure by now, many of you have heard the news that Jennifer has started down a new road with MANTRA, and you and I are going to continue on the ever-exciting, and growing journey of Festival Fete!

When I initially thought about purchasing the company, I asked myself what spoke to me most about Festival Fete and its mission. What I realized is that I fully embrace and LOVE, what Jennifer and David have accomplished; an event which showcases local artisan talent, supports young and budding artists, brings business to local communities, and is fun and family friendly. Festival Fete events truly enrich all aspects of RI and make it a better place. It is now my goal to carry on the work that Jennifer and David began.

My commitment to our artists is to continue to provide and expand the platform in which you are able to showcase your art, advertising campaigns, and the great venues will continue and only get better. My commitment to the many loyal supporters who attend these events and the communities around them, is to continue to present the best show we can with great art, great food, and great entertainment!

I’m looking forward to seeing you all at the Wakefield Festival, October 5^th!

Thanks,

Pilar

Art this Weekend: Meadowbrook Waldorf School Holiday Faire

This weekend is the Meadowbrook Waldorf School Holiday Faire, which is near and dear to Festival Fete founder, Jennifer Neuguth and her family. Jennifer’s two boys have been at the Meadowbrook Waldorf School for the past 6 years and couldn’t be happier with the education and whole family experience that the school community provides. The event kicks off with a Holiday Faire for the adults on Saturday evening from 6-9 pm and on Sunday from 10am – 4pm the kids can enjoy this lovely family event.

This year’s theme is “Guiding Light” as we remember the warmth and light that this season brings to our hearts and homes.  Find beautiful crafts,  activities, performances, and unique gifts that portray this wonderful inspiration.  The beautifully decorated campus will “light” your up your hearts and bring a smile to your faces.

One of the Faire organizers, Monica Rodgers is a Waldorf graduate and Meadowbrook Waldorf School parent. Monica enthusiastically shared her thoughts with me about the Faire:

Each year we try to focus on a celebration that really brings to life the spirit of our community and the things we hold dear. The festivities include music, family crafts, beautiful decoration- it looks simply MAGICAL when you get to the campus.  We try to offer totally unique gifts that people can not usually find anywhere else that reflect the talents of our community such as handmade doll clothing, advent Calendar’s, Ornaments, beautiful handwork on clothing or accessories. Our faire is one of the most unique holiday events in New England !!

In addition to the hand crafted items for sale, there will also be a gently used book section (as well as new titles and gift books) and a *VINTAGE* section of hats, accessories, crafts etc. Visit the Meadowbrook Waldorf School board on Pinterest page to see a visual sampling.

Our school “store” focuses on featuring thoughtful items that offer children and families an opportunity to play together, read together, inspire imagination, creativity, or learning.  You’ll usually never find plastic items in our store – and we bring in many brands from around the globe – European Toys, Dolls from South America and Peru, Gorgeous art supplies from Germany and France.

If you are not familiar with a Waldorf school, click here to learn more about what makes a Waldorf Education special. The MWS is committed to preserving childhood – allowing children to play and explore naturally.  Another MWS Holiday Faire organizer and parent, Beth Riungo says, “Arts and crafts are fundamental in helping children build their imagination so we surround them with beauty and give them natural materials to work with.  Faire is our opportunity to share these values and ideas with our friends and neighbors from the surrounding area. We love to see our visitors eyes light up when they discover the joys of the Faire.”

Several of the artists that will be at Festival Fete’s Holiday Market in Garden City on December 1st and 2nd will also be exhibiting at the Meadowbrook Waldorf School Faire including:

• Hannah Wood of Black Black Moon jewelry

• Sky Therapy Bath products

• Dragon’s Opus handmade chainmaille jewelry

• Nancy Rafi Gypsy Girl Designs jewelry.

Also this weekend: Saturday, November 17th the Artist and Artisans “Showcase” exhibition and sale continues every Saturday from 9am – 2pm at Psuedio Studio & Gallery at the Lafayette Mills 650 Ten Rod Road, North Kingstown, RI.

What are you doing this weekend? Let us know what other artful events are happening this weekend and if you go to the MWS Holiday Faire please share your feedback with us!

Many thanks to Yelp for their sponsorship of Festival Fete’s Holiday Market in Garden City on December 1st and 2nd. Be sure to look for their booth at the market -they always have something fun to do!

Yelp was founded in 2004 to help people find great local businesses like dentists, hair stylists and mechanics. In the past 7 years, users have written over 18 million reviews to help the community become better acquainted with these different places. Yelp provides a weekly newsletter in 42 different city editions to help provide up-to-date information on the latest business openings and local happenings. With all that they do, Yelp is a dedicated supporter of everything local.

Art is Smart for the kids: Young Artists’ Booths

Festival Fete’s non-profit, Art is Smart is an important part of each Festival Fete production and is a great opportunity for kids to support kids through activities such as the Young Artists’ Booths. One of the ways that Festival Fete supports Art is Smart is by reserving a section of booths for young artists in grades 1-12 to sell their paintings, sculpture, jewelry or other hand made creation. It’s a great experience for the young artists, and they help support the arts by donating 10% of their sales to Art is Smart. We have some really great talent lined up for Festival Fete’s Holiday Market so be sure to stop by and see some of the Young Artist Booths at Garden City on December 1st and 2nd.

You will definitely want to check out “A Little Bird by Zoe” where you will find wonderful little origami earrings and hair clips.

Zoe started doing origami at the age of ten and is self taught.  She has been interested in making jewelry since she could string macaroni into a necklace.  Zoe started making these particular origami earrings within the last year, and the Labor Day East Greenwich Art Festival was her debut.  She is looking forward to Festival Fete’s Holiday Show at Garden city. Zoe is a high school honors student and is saving up for a trip to Rome with the Latin Club.

Rylie is another one of our young artists that will be at the show. She is an enthusiastic jeweler and I know that she has been working very hard to prepare for the show. Her bracelets and earrings are made with tiny beads in every color you could imagine, and she even takes custom orders!

Here is a little sampling of the artwork from some of our other “Young Artists”:

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Art is Smart supports public school art teachers by donating funds to help them purchase supplies for their art classes. The money raised by Art is Smart at Festival Fete’s Holiday Market in Garden City will go directly to a Cranston, R.I. Art Teacher.  If you are an art teacher interested in requesting funding, please contact Jennifer Neuguth by email for more information. It’s a simple and straightforward process for raising and distributing funds. Art is Smart is based on pure passion for the arts, and supporting art education for children.

Festival Fete’s Holiday Market will be open from 10–5 daily on December 1st and 2nd. There is a $3 suggested donation entrance fee to support Art is Smart. Many thanks to one of our yummy sponsors:

What’s in it for me? (say the kids) Art is Smart!

Hopefully by now we have managed to get you really excited about the seasonal entertainment and the beautiful, locally handmade items that you can buy at Festival Fete’s Holiday Market in Garden City (on December 1st and 2nd), and you’re definitely planning to go. But don’t leave the kiddos home!  A Festival Fete Festival is a day for the whole family – which is especially nice at holiday time

Festival Fete’s non-profit, Art is Smart is an important part of each Festival Fete production and is a great opportunity for kids to support kids through activities such as the Creation Station and the Young Artists’ Booths. There are booths at the Holiday Market that have been awarded to kids in grades 1-12 to showcase and sell their art. In lieu of booth fees, the Young Artists donate 10% of their sales to support Art is Smart. My kids are looking forward to doing some of their own holiday shopping, and love to buy from other kids!

A Little Bird Origami Jewelry by Zoe

Art is Smart supports public school art teachers by donating funds to help them purchase supplies for their art classes. The money raised by Art is Smart at Festival Fete’s Holiday Market in Garden City will go directly to a Cranston, R.I. Art Teacher.  If you are an art teacher interested in requesting funding, please contact Jennifer Neuguth by email for more information. It’s a simple and straightforward process for raising and distributing funds. Art is Smart is based on pure passion for the arts, and supporting art education for children.

Paints for Johnston Elementary

Festival Fete continues to be a wealth of inspiration  for students in elementary Art classes in Johnston. Artwork by a child creates a memory of a lifetime and through Festival Fetes generous donations, students gain confidence and appreciation for art, and they are able to create works of art for the family to display and enjoy at home.  Thank you from the bottom of our hearts! – Dawn Forte, a teacher from Johnston Elementary.

Johnston Elementary Student Artwork – You’re welcome!

Everyone attending the festival is a contributor to the program, even if you don’t have young kids. For the Holiday Market in Garden City, there is a $3 suggested donation entrance fee. Other ways to help support Art is Smart are by making a cash donation, purchasing some really stylish Art is Smart merchandise such as t-shirts and mugs, or by participating in one of the projects for kids in the Creation Station that have a small fee (Beeswax Candle Making or Kite Stars/paper lanterns).

So yes, Art is Smart for the kids!

Check out our sponsor MOO for custom business cards, Mini cards, post cards and more!

The Festival Fete Experience

FETE: a festive celebration of entertainment.

Have you experienced a Festival Fete? It’s true that Festival Fete is an art festival – but there are so many layers to a Festival Fete that make it a different kind of festival…it’s an experience. “This is not your grandmother’s art festival!” says Jennifer Neuguth, who created Festival Fete two years ago.

    

Sure, at a Festival Fete you can buy one of a kind, exquisite works of art from local artists, have a nosh on some delicious goodies from one of the specialty food vendors, let your kids make some really cool crafts at the Creation Station, listen to music, watch amazing street performers, have your picture taken in the Smashing Photo booth, and more…but the true beauty and essence of a Festival Fete is that you walk away feeling like you have experienced a truly unique event.

My family and I walked away from the East Greenwich Art Festival (produced by Festival Fete) fully entertained, happy and inspired to create. Clay, glue, paper, paint and various ephemera were spread out all over the table for our creations. Dinner was delayed until we all felt complete in our work. This, to me, is the magic of a Festival Fete experience. And I was thankful to have that joy carry over from a wonderful day into my home and family.

Several weeks later in a conversation with a friend, I learned of another family who had been inspired creatively after a day at the festival. So I began to think about how unique that experience is, and I talked with other families about the festival and what a lasting impression it made upon them.

“What I loved most about the fair was watching our kids get so inspired by all the different artists and their work. Seeing the children (artists) selling their work really got the wheels turning in their heads. (Learn more about the Young Artists Booths and how they support Art is Smart) They came home and immediately started working on boiled wool acorns, getting the whole neighborhood involved.  I loved how contagious their enthusiasm was!” says Rebecca Stearns, East Greenwich mom and photographer.

Felted acorns photo by Robyn Ivy Photography.

Rebecca brought a friend along with their children all ages 8 and up, and mentioned how the older kids really had fun with the photo booth brought by Smashing Photo Booth Rentals.  She is already planning to attend the Festival Fete’s Holiday Market in Garden City on December 1^st so that she can purchase one of Autumn Olive‘s handmade skirts that she admired at the East Greenwich Art festival.

Rebecca Stockdill, from Warwick, brought her two kids, ages 5 and 7 and her parents to the East Greenwich Art Festival.  Rebecca is a crafty girl herself (she creates whimsical “Amigurumi“, which are crocheted anthropomorphic creatures) so she enjoyed so many of the handmade crafts but her kids couldn’t get enough of the Big Nazo performers.  “They (the kids) could have followed Big Nazo around for hours!

“The kids also really enjoyed the Creation Station where they made their own silk-screened t-shirts and paper and ribbon flags that they could take home. I like how recycled items were incorporated into some of the crafts”. Rebecca and her family had discovered Festival Fete for the first time last June at the Garden City Art Festival, and she says that they will “definitely plan to attend future events. Unlike other festivals that we’ve attended, it is obvious that the planner (Jennifer Neuguth) put a lot of effort into making this a true family event”.

When Jennifer and her husband David Riordan conceived of the Festival Fete experience…this was precisely their hope. Their inspired vision has created a one-of-a-kind event that we can all look forward to.

So, have you experienced a Festival Fete? If you have, please tell us about what part of the experience resonated most with you and your family and prepare for the next festive celebration coming up on December 1st and 2nd!

We would like to thank one of our fabulous sponsors, a wonderful photographer!