ArtsMemphis to host free Pop-Up ArtsFest |

Information provided by Arts Memphis

MEMPHIS, TN-(March 18, 2012) - Here comes another Pop-Up!

As part of its series to bring the arts to the inner city neighborhoods, ArtsMemphis will sponsor the second in a series of free Pop-Up ArtsFest, from noon-4 p.m., Saturday, March 24 at the Hollywood Community Center, 1560 North Hollywood.

The Springdale-Hollywood Pop-Up Arts Festival will highlight a variety of local talent that will turn the North Memphis community center into a four-hour marathon of local culture, including a gallery of art, live musical and stage performances and hands-on art activities for kids.

“The goal of ArtsMemphis is to increase arts awareness and participation among people in our community who otherwise would seldom, if ever, have a chance to experience the excitement and pleasure of our city’s deep cultural talent,’’ said Susan Schadt, ArtsMemphis president and CEO. “Through our Pop-Up ArtsFest, ArtsMemphis also hopes to deepen community engagement through the arts through this kind of innovative intervention, where people can just stroll down the street and hear live music and see an array of talent.”

The Pop-Up ArtsFest also will include the permanent installation at the Hollywood Community Center of five separate picnic tables, each designed and decorated by local artists. The festival also will include the dedication of artist Suzy Hendrix’s mosaic, sponsored by Urban Art Commission, at the Hollywood Branch Library.

During the event, there will be 10 performances by artistic groups, including: Project: Motion, Tennessee Shakespeare Company and the Daddy Mack Blues Band. Dozens of organizations, including New Ballet Ensemble and School, Memphis Symphony Orchestra and Theatre Memphis, will host hands-on activity booths for children.

The event is free and open to the public.

ArtsMemphis received a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) to produce three community arts events, bringing the work of Memphis’ finest arts organizations and working artists to communities with little or no exposure to the cultural sector. The first Pop-Up ArtsFest was held in Frayser in October 2011. The third Pop-Up ArtsFest is planned for the Orange Mound neighborhood April 29.

About ArtsMemphis:

Since 1963, ArtsMemphis has raised funds to ensure excellence in the arts and to build a vibrant cultural community for everyone. During 2011, ArtsMemphis allocated more than 95 percent of its annual campaign, in addition to enhancement funds from the historic Memphis for the Arts endowment campaign, to award $2.8 million to the Memphis arts community through 280 grants in nine grant categories. For more information, visit artsmemphis.org.

For more information, please contact:      
Julia McDonald, ArtsMemphis, 901/578-2787, jmcdonald@artsmemphis.org