ArtReach to Host Children’s ArtZone at 18th Annual Golden Fine Arts Festival

Golden, Colo. — June 25, 2008 — The 18th annual Golden Fine Arts Festival will feature a very special treat for its youngest art enthusiasts this year: ArtReach of Denver will be hosting the ArtReach Arts and Crafts Activity Tent. ArtReach will take kids back in time with historic craft making activities. Kids will explore their artistic abilities and learn about history as they create modern day replicas of olden day handmade crafts.

ArtReach’s ArtZone will provide a fun environment for kids while they learn the history, and origin of traditional crafting. Kids will enjoy making historical handmade crafts, including traditional period vests made with paper sacks, God’s Eyes made with yarn and Popsicle sticks and many more fun crafts.

The Golden Fine Arts Festival’s support of ArtReach’s mission, to provide access to life-changing arts and cultural experiences to people of all ages in need, allows ArtReach the opportunity to educate the community on ArtReach’s three programs. Arts Benefiting Kids education program allows youth from economically disadvantaged families the opportunity to learn a variety of art disciplines from professional artists that go directly into schools or organizations. ArtsExpress provides bus trips to cultural events and museums in our community to individuals who are isolated, have a physical or mental impairment, or may not have the financial means to own a car. And finally, the Community Tickets program distributes donated tickets to cultural, community, sports and arts events and museums to individuals in populations of need.

The Golden Fine Arts Festival runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16 and Sunday, Aug. 17 in historic downtown Golden on 11th Street just west of Washington Avenue between Arapahoe and Maple streets. The festival is free to the public and welcomes more than 140 high-quality artists in a variety of media, including ceramic arts, fiber arts, glass, jewelry, mixed media, painting, photography, sculpture and more. This open-air gallery in a lovely setting adjacent to tree-lined Clear Creek features beautiful views of the foothills.

Established in 1974, ArtReach, Inc., is a Colorado 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization under the Internal Revenue Code serving arts, cultural and human service organizations. ArtReach is the only organization in the Denver area that exists to ensure people of all ages who struggle with physical, mental, behavioral or severe economic challenges have an opportunity to experience arts and culture. Every year, ArtReach programs serve more than 70,000 individuals and families in our community. ArtReach is funded through grants from SCFD, CCA, National Endowment for the Arts, and other foundation grants, along with membership fees, donations from local individuals, and corporations. ArtReach fosters community interactions by maintaining more than 350 innovative long-term partnerships between diverse art (local art agencies and businesses) and community agencies (social service agencies, public housing, long-term care facilities, parks and recreation departments and schools). To donate to or volunteer with ArtReach, visit www.artreachdenver.org or call 303-433-2882.