The Easthampton Bear Fest is a public art project in which life-size fiberglass bears are creatively transformed by local and national artists.
Easthampton City Arts+ will expose Bear Fest 2012âs unpainted bears and artist designs at a Naked Bear Party on Thursday, Feb. 23 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. The event will be held at Eastworks, 116 Pleasant St., and itâs expected to bring artists and friends of the community out of hibernation to kick off the second event of its kind in town.EASTHAMPTON - Easthampton City Arts+ will expose Bear Fest 2012's unpainted bears and artist designs at a Naked Bear Party on Feb. 23 from 6:30 to 9 p.m.
The event will be held at Eastworks, 116 Pleasant St., and it's expected to bring artists and friends of the community out of hibernation to kick off the second event of its kind in town.
ECA+ coordinator Burns Maxey, who is overseeing the largely volunteer fund-raiser, hopes the festive Mardi Gras-themed event will "warm up our imaginations of a transformed downtown Easthampton for this upcoming summer's festivities. With artists' designs and the unpainted bear sculptures on view, we are extremely excited to share this preliminary kick-off to Bear Fest."
On the following day, Feb. 24, a children's event, Cub Crafts Day, will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., also at Eastworks.
At the cub party, participants can view and vote for T-shirt designs by the children. The winning design will be put on T-shirts available for purchase during Bear Fest 2012, from June to September.
Other activities will include crafting bear masks, coloring sheets, as well as a collaborative Bear Fest quilt that will later be auctioned for arts education. Adult supervision for participating cubs is required. The event is free and open to the public.
The Easthampton Bear Fest is a public art project in which life-size fiberglass bears are creatively transformed by local and national artists and will be displayed throughout the downtown area of Easthampton from June to September.
At the kick-off, offerings will include art, food from the Apollo Grill restaurant, Naked Bear Party merchandise for purchase, and New Orleans Jazz by Samirah Evans and her Handsome Devils.
Visit ECA+ Gallery at 43 Main St., Easthampton to purchase a Mardi Gras mask-ticket to wear to kick-off. Masks cost $15 and will serve as the ticket for the party. Tickets may also be purchased upon entry of the party.