David Van Noppen One of Many Artists Featured at Sierra Madre Art Fair this Weekend

The community is invited to attend the 51st annual Friends of the Sierra Madre Library’s Art Fair at Memorial Park this weekend. 

The festivities at 222 West Sierra Madre Blvd. begin on Saturday, May 4 from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, May 5 from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.  

Art Fair

Featured artist, David Van Noppen, whose glass art has been represented in galleries around the world will be one of more than 95 artists who will be displaying and selling their fine arts throughout the weekend. Other mediums on display include oil painting, jewelry, water colors, glass, wood, metal, photography, pottery, ceramics, mixed media, and weaving.   

The Art Fair is the perfect place to find that Mother’s Day, graduation, or wedding gift and to find pieces that you will be proud to wear or to display in your home.       

Live Music Lineup

Live music will also be featured throughout the weekend in the band shell and on the south lawn. Guests can enjoy an eclectic selection of music ranging from country jazz to Latin to classical flute and guitar.  

Saturday's entertainment lineup in the band shell will be Steve Trovato and Tim Kobza, a rockin’ country jazz guitar duo from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. attendees can listen to Nick Ariondo, an accordion virtuoso whose music combines classical, folk, jazz, blues, and improvisation from around the world.

On the South lawn that same day you can enjoy Sister Ann and Her Wayward Boys playing Celtic music from 10 a.m. to noon, Dan Ames and Gayle Blumenthal performing Americana bluegrass from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., Richard Bellikoff on guitar from 3 p.m to 4 p.m., and two groups of students from Sierra Madre Music, the Random Rock-Us Band and the Tuesday Nights from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.  

Sunday’s line up in the band shell from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. will be Sudbury and Ramos on violin, mandolin, and guitars performing original music inspired by traditional dance forms from around the world. From 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Alma Nova, a classically trained flute and guitar duo presenting their unique blend of classical repertoire infused with music from the Balkans, Spain, Latin America, and the British Isles.  

On the south lawn on Sunday, Banna Beag Mall will play Celtic music from 10 a.m. to noon, Mike Tims will perform folk and jazz from 1 p.m .to 2 p.m., and from 3 p.m to 5 p.m. Jane Fuller will perform jazz.         

Food Galore

A food court will offer a variety of food and drinks provided by local non-profit groups as well as food vendors.

The Sierra Madre Historical Preservation Society will be selling their famous lemonade made with rangpur lime juice; Taquito Lover will be offering taquitos, tamales, nachos, tacos and fruit drinks; Sophia’s Kitchen will be selling sausages, pizza, corn, hot dogs, nachos, Philly cheese steak, a fish platter, and drinks; there will be Korean and Chinese barbecue including beef short ribs, chicken and beef on a stick, Taiwanese sausages, pot stickers, and egg rolls; The International Footprint Association will be serving hot dogs and beverages; and H.S.I. Carnival Snacks will provide Hawaiian shaved ice, churros, frozen lemonade, water, and ice cream pops. And, of course, the Friends of the Library will have a booth selling their famous sweet breads and quick breads.  

Activites for Kids

For the children, the Creative Arts Group has planned a Chinese kite making activity on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Children will be able to decorate their own kite and take it home as a souvenir of the Art Fair. 

Silent Auction

This year we will again have a silent auction be from 9:30 a.m. Saturday until 4:30 p.m. Sunday. More than 40 of the artists who are displaying and selling their creations at this year’s fair have donated lovely, one-of-a-kind pieces for the auction which means that you’ll have a chance to bid on some really beautiful artwork. So come early and stay all day.  

Browse through the wonderful displays of artwork, sit on the lawn and listen to music, have a little lunch, check on your silent auction bids, and then go back and purchase those lovely pieces of art that have been calling your name ever since you spotted them.   

Proceeds from the Art Fair benefit the Sierra Madre Library.  For more information, visit sierramadrelibraryfriends.org or call (626) 355-7186.