FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 25, 2021
19th ANNUAL CLYDEFEST GOES WILD
Chatham Arts Council Takes a Beloved Tradition on the Road, Celebrating Local Folk Artist Clyde Jones Through Multiple Events Across the County
Pittsboro, NC— If you know Chatham County, you know ClydeFEST, the Chatham Arts Council’s annual family-friendly, old-school kids’ carnival celebrating folk artist Clyde Jones, known locally as the “critter artist.” With a pandemic looming, this year’s festival will look a little different – in fact – it will be W I L D! The Chatham Arts Council (CAC) is taking the ClydeFEST spirit out and about in Chatham County in COVID-safe ways to create ClydeFEST in the Wild – a modified version of this 19-year-old beloved tradition.
“Kids need art!” pronounced Cheryl Chamblee, Chatham Arts Council’s Executive Director. “We’ve never brought ClydeFEST or our teaching artists out into Chatham’s neighborhoods like this before—but with our commitment to service, solace, and hope through the arts this year, it seems like the best, most impactful, most joyful choice.”
This year’s event aims to do just that, with ClydeFEST outposts positioned throughout Chatham County on multiple days this spring. In addition to providing artistic opportunities for kids of all ages, ClydeFEST in the Wild will also host cherished performers generating music that will bring participants to their feet, dancing along amongst the critters.
ClydeFEST in the Wild Details
- Tuesday, April 20, 4-6 p.m.: Chatham Artists-in-Schools artist Diali Cissokho will kick it off with a live performance, truck-and-trailer style, traveling through the neighborhoods of Loves’ Creek and Pony Farm Road in western Chatham sharing the music of West Senegal–with beloved ClydeFEST performers joining in our mini-parade. (Sponsored by The Jester Group at Baird.)
- Saturday, April 24 at The Park at Briar Chapel, 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.: Families and kids will have the opportunity to schedule outdoor time at our mobile Critterville to paint and embellish one of those well-known and beloved critter cut-outs, while jamming to some family-friendly live music from ClydeFEST performers.
- Tuesday, April 27, 4-6:30 p.m.: Chatham Artists-in-Schools artist Diali Cissokho and ClydeFEST roving performers will travel through the Briar Chapel and Nature Trail Community neighborhoods in eastern Chatham sharing their arts magic. (Sponsored by The Jester Group at Baird.)
- Saturday, May 1 at Bray Park, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.: We’ll hand out Critter Kits (a critter cut-out, plus paint and glue) at Chatham County Partnership for Children’s drive-through Day of the Book/Dia de los Libros Families can grab a kit and adorn their critter cut-out at home.
- Sunday, May 2 at Southwest District Park, 1-5 p.m.: One more ClydeFEST in the Wild celebration takes place, but this time, in southwestern Chatham! Families and kids can schedule outdoor critter-paintin’ time and hear some ClydeFEST tunes during this Sunday afternoon event.
“ClydeFEST is more than just a tangible event; it’s an experience and a feeling,” expressed Emma Hobbs, a high school student who has been attending ClydeFEST since she was in pre-school. “No matter where you are, nothing can take that away from you.”
Sign-Up to Paint Clyde’s Critters
Kids of all ages LOVE to get messy in Critterville, where they can adorn their wooden critter cut-outs. With this year’s mobile Critterville, they’ll be able to make unique pieces of art from paint, glue, and loads of glitter – bringing these critters to life right before their very eyes. ClydeFEST in the Wild is free to all participants; however, due to COVID-19, participants need to sign-up to reserve a spot to paint a critter, ensuring safety in small groups.
ClydeFEST in the Wild could not happen without the support of friends, community members, and businesses who have generously donated to ensure the fun goes on! The CAC is grateful to The Jester Group at Baird; Chatham Homes Realty; Randi Markowitz Belle Fleur Design; Cheek Electric; Hobbs Architects, PA; The Kindred Gallery; Absolute Construction and Development, LLC; The Legion Company; Boro Realty; Fresh Air Designs, Inc.; Chatham Park; Martha Newport Realty Group; Chatham Pediatric Dentistry; First Bank; StreetSigns; The Sycamore at Chatham Mills; Right By You Mortgage; Weaver Street Realty; Enchanting Smiles Family Dentistry; Welford Harris Ford; CHR Triangle Team; Dr. Tammy R. Severt D.D.S. P.A.; Resolute Building Company; Deep River Mercantile; Lesley Landis Designs; The Hardwood Store of NC; Fagan Industry; The Creative Goat; Shakori Hills GrassRoots Festival; Diane Swan Gallery; Chatham Habitat for Humanity; and B & J Custom Printers for their kind support of this event.
For more information on ClydeFEST in the Wild, visit www.ChathamArtsCouncil.org.
ABOUT THE CHATHAM ARTS COUNCIL: The Chatham Arts Council nurtures creative thinkers in Chatham County. We do this in two ways: we invest in artists and we educate kids through the arts. In its thirty-seventh year as a nonprofit arts agency, Chatham Arts Council’s flagship programs include Meet This Artist, Go See This, artist grants, and the Chatham Artists-in-Schools Initiative – serving more than 3,500 children this year. Chatham Arts Council is proud to partner with the NC Arts Council, the Durham Arts Council, Chatham County Schools, and numerous Chatham arts organizations, human resource nonprofits, and local businesses. For more information, visit www.ChathamArtsCouncil.org.
CONTACT: April Starling, Marketing/Public Relations Leader of the Chatham Arts Council, april@chathamartscouncil.org or 917.544.0608.
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