Festival makes fine art of Mother’s Day

Mother's Day abounds in traditions. There's one Southern Nevada tradition, however, that's designed to delight not only Mom but the whole family: the Art Festival of Henderson.

Held Saturday and Sunday at the Henderson Events Plaza, the annual festival features a wide range of attractions, from booths showcasing the work of professionals to a new interactive district where kids (and adults) can get in touch with their own inner artist.

This weekend marks the event's 15th annual run, according to Nicole Johnson of Henderson's Department of Cultural Arts and Tourism.

Initially, the free festival was conceived as a way "to get the community to experience the fine arts," Johnson explains.

By now, however, the focus has widened to include other arts-related activities.

This year's big addition: the Imagination Station.

Aimed primarily at children, the Imagination Station will include a variety of interactive art activities.

There are painting lessons. Places to create "make-and-take" gifts for Mom.

The Imagination Station also will help kids create "repurposed art" that recycles existing materials, Johnson says, enabling them to transform plastic bottles into bouquets - or make a giant mural from recycled soda cans. (Hands-on crafts may require a participation fee of about a dollar, according to Johnson.)

Some planned activities aren't just for kids, though.

A chalk art competition - during which sidewalk artists compete for cash prizes - includes student and adult divisions.

Featured artist Donovan Fitzgerald returns for a third year, re-creating famous masterpieces by Da Vinci, Michelangelo and Caravaggio - in chalk.

Henna artists and a yoga studio also will be available for festival patrons of all ages.

Other family-friendly attractions include storytelling and book signings.

TV weathercaster Kevin Janison, for example, is scheduled to present his "Deputy Dorkface" tales at noon Saturday, while "Princess for Hire" author Lindsey Leavitt is expected to appear from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday.

In addition, two stages will showcase numerous musical performers. Main Stage attractions include local favorites Killian's Angels and the Shapiro Project, while the Kids Stage will feature School of Rock musicians, the Green Valley High School Jazz Combo and the Las Vegas Youth Orchestra, among others.

As for the festival's fine arts component, more than 70 booths will present paintings, sculpture, photography and jewelry for sale - just in time for Mother's Day gift-giving.

Additional booths will provide refreshments for hungry and/or thirsty attendees.

About 20,000 people generally visit the festival every Mother's Day weekend, Johnson reports.

As an arts-based event, "we definitely draw a different crowd," she comments.

But the kids' components keep it all in the family.

Contact reporter Carol Cling at ccling@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0272.