Welcome to the 2025 Anacortes Arts Festival!
As the vibrant heart of Fidalgo Island pulses with creativity, we extend our greetings to everyone joining us for our 64th annual celebration of art, culture, and community. Whether you’re a long-time local enjoying a cherished tradition or a first-time visitor discovering the magic of Anacortes, we are thrilled to have you join us for what promises to be an unforgettable weekend. The Anacortes Arts Festival began in 1962 as a humble vision by Dr. Jack Papritz and a dedicated group of community arts patrons. Inspired by the open-air cafes and artistic spirit of Montmartre in Paris, they dreamed of bringing a similar vibrancy to our charming island town. From those early days, with simple A-frame displays and a small budget, the Festival has blos-
somed into one of the largest and most respected arts events in the Northwest, attracting an estimated 80,000-100,000 visitors each year. It’s a testament to the enduring power of art and the incredible spirit of volunteerism that has sustained us for over six decades.
A must-see for every art enthusiast, is the Fine Art Show, proudly returning to the historic Depot Arts Center this year. Located just two blocks east of the main Festival thoroughfare at 611 R Avenue, the Depot Arts Center provides a beautiful and fitting backdrop for this exceptional exhibition. Here, you’ll discover a curated collection of contemporary fine art from over 100 regional artists, showcasing a diverse range of 2D and 3D mediums. Our esteemed juror, Daniel
Wallace, Executive Director of the Northwest Designer Craftartists, has meticulously selected 131 stunning pieces for this year’s exhibition, ensuring a truly captivating experience. The Fine Art Show opens early, on July 26th, so you have even more time to immerse yourself in this impressive display of talent. Don’t miss the opportunity to witness the cutting edge of Northwest art and perhaps even take home a piece that speaks to your soul.
Beyond the walls of the Depot Arts Center, our downtown streets transform into an expansive openair gallery, featuring over 220 juried booth artists. Wander through the bustling thoroughfares, from 10th to 3rd Streets, and engage directly with the talented creators behind the extraordinary works on display. From intricate jewelry and handcrafted ceramics to breathtaking paintings and unique sculptures, there’s a treasure to be found around every corner. Our booth artists represent the backbone of this festival, bringing their passion and skill to life right before your eyes. Take your time, chat with the artists, and discover the stories behind their creations.
Of course, no festival is complete without incredible food and lively music, and the Anacortes Arts
Festival delivers on both fronts! Fuel your artistic exploration with a delicious array of regional and ethnic food trucks and vendors scattered throughout the festival grounds. From savory to sweet, there’s something to satisfy every craving. And as you stroll, shop, and savor, let the rhythms move you. We’re delighted to feature two stages of free entertainment daily, showcasing a diverse lineup of local and regional musicians. Whether you prefer folk, rock, jazz, or something in between, you’ll find a tune that resonates. Be sure to check the schedule in this guide for performance times and locations. And for those looking to relax and refresh, our beer gardens and wine bars offer the perfect spot to unwind and soak in the festive atmosphere.
The Anacortes Arts Festival is more
BANKING FOR PEOPLE, NOT FOR PROFIT.
WE ARE WECU.
than just an event; it’s a vibrant celebration of art, community, and the breathtaking beauty of Fidalgo Island. This weekend reflects our collective appreciation for creativity and shared experiences. Our team and our volunteers have worked tirelessly to create a welcoming and inspiring environment for everyone, including a dedicated youth area for our younger attendees to explore their own artistic talents.
Thank you for being a part of the 2025 Anacortes Arts Festival. We hope you enjoy every moment, discover something new, and leave with a heart full of artistic inspiration and lasting memories. Welcome, and let the celebration begin!
Meredith McIlmoyle Executive Director
The Essentials
64th Anacortes Arts
Festival
Festival Dates: August 1-3
Festival Hours: Friday and Saturday 10am – 6pm; Sunday 10am – 5pm
NO DOGS ALLOWED
General Festival Information
Wehave a policy of NO DOGS at the Festival. Please be kind to your pet and respectful of our artists and other festival goers by leaving your furry friends at home.
The main Festival Information Booth is located on 5th Street.
The Mission
TheFriendly volunteers are on hand to answer questions about the Festival and our community, assist in emergencies, and help with any concerns.
Looking for Festival merchandise? You can purchase t-shirts, blankets, mugs, and tote bags here, and also report lost items or missing children or husbands.
Festival’s Mission, as one of the oldest and largest festivals in the PNW, is to put our money where our heart is; funding art education opportunities for kids, art programs that enrich the community, and exciting public art projects. We continue to fund art specialists in our Anacortes elementary schools as well as other art programs for students. The Anacortes Arts Festival is the administrator for the Anacortes Creative District—a vibrant hub where artists live, work, and share their craft. Located in the heart of Downtown Anacortes, it features public art, live music, dance, artisan food, museums, festivals, and more. Discover the creativity that makes our community unique.
Please remember that as you support the Festival with your purchases you are also helping us support the arts, artists, and youth education in our community.
The Poster
The 2025 Festival poster artists is Megan Nielsen. She is a full-time artist living and working in Sisters, OR. Megan was born in Alaska and raised in Ballard, WA. She has always had a passion for drawing, and after earning an Arts degree she started selling her artwork part time in 2013. Currently, with family in tow, she and her husband Jarred both work full time for their art business - Canyon & Cove Art - where they sell her artwork both retail and wholesale in many forms including fine art prints, originals, & a variety of stationery goods.
Megan’s artwork is primarily done with Gouache paint and mixed media and is inspired by animals and nature around the PNW.
Posters, t-shirts, blankets, and more are available at the Festival Information Booths on 5th Street.
The Arts. Simple and Pure.
Booth Artisans
Commercial
Ave, 10th St to 3rd St
Everyone has a creative spark within. Whether through a unique piece of art, handcrafted jewelry, whimsical yard art, or captivating photography, there are countless ways to express and indulge your inner artist.
At the heart of the Festival in historic downtown are more than 220 Booth Artisans. These talented creators—from the Northwest and across the country—showcase their work in a rich variety of mediums: painting, photography, jewelry, wearable art, fiber, ceramics, glass, wood, metal, artisanal foods, and sensory-inspired pieces.
This year, we welcome a vibrant mix of new artisans bringing fresh perspectives and contemporary styles to the Festival. You’re sure to discover something that speaks to your artistic soul.
Looking for a specific artist? Use the QR code for a detailed location guide or stop by the Festival Information Booth for assistance.
Scan for Booth Artisan Listing and Locations
Gunter Reimnitz
Cozette Ellis
David Tate
Randy Van Beek
Jeni Lee
Sue Dranchak
Sarah Brockman
Kelsey Elverum
Casey Bridges
Richard Peterson
Scan for Booth Artisan Listing and Locations
Scan for Booth Artisan Listing and Locations
Art at the Depot
– The Crown Jewel of the Festival
Historic Depot Art Center, 611 R Ave
The Art at the Depot | Fine Art Exhibition, in its second year at the historic train station, will showcase 104 Pacific Northwest artists and over 130 pieces of museum-quality artwork. This year’s show has a strong 3D component with artwork representing a wide variety of media.
This year’s Juror, Daniel Wallace, is the Executive Director of the Northwest Designer Craftartists (NWDC). Before moving to Seattle, Wallace worked in both Philadelphia and New York in non-profit arts programming, development, and oversight.
Fine art awards total $8,500, with an additional Arts in Schools purchase sponsored by Keith Sorenson. New this year is the Artist to Artist Award that will be selected by Anacortes metalsmith Paul Thorne. It honors both Paul’s artistic contributions and another talented artist who he selects.
Fine Art Exhibition Opening:
Saturday, July 26 from 5:30pm to 8:30pm
Exhibition Hours:
Monday, July 28th through Thursday, July 31st from 11am-4pm
Friday, August 1st and Saturday, August 2nd from 10am-6pm
Sunday, August 3rd 10am-5pm
Chris Cole
Dona Reed
Francie Allen
Join us for a free Docent Tour at noon on Wednesday, July 30 for informative insights about the artists and pieces in the show.
Participating Juried artists include:
Fred Abelman
Francie Allen
Elise Antonio
Joseph Bacanskas
Neil Berkowitz
Kyle Bjorklund
Brooke Borcherding
Wendy Brodd
Julia Brodsky
Bear Carpenter
Diane Marie Chaudiere
Renee Noelle Cheesman
Stephen Cheng
Teresa Childers
Chris Cole
Judy Corcoran
Jo Cosme
Sarah Dalton
Ineke de Lange
Andrew Deem
Timothy Doane
Julie Sevilla Drake
Julie Drane
Kate Dwyer
John Ediger
Steve Eirschele
Lucia Enriquez
Jonathan Fearer
Priscilla Froelich
Jeanna Gamman
Noble Golden
Jayn Goldsen
Charlene Hall
David Halpern
Virginia Hand
Louise Harris
Annie Haynes
Annette Herboth
Marius Hibbard
Kait Hopkins
Jan Hoy
Corinne Humphrey
Lisa Jaech
Gene Jaress
Steve Jensen
Jonelle Johnson
Claire B Jones
Keith Keyser
Kent Kirkpatrick
Scott Kolbo
Katie Dwyer
Eddie Magliaro
Stoned Patti O
Tracy Powell
Wendy Brodd
Annette Tamm
Sarah Koten
Richard Lawson
Pam Little
Nancy Loorem Adams
Eddie Magliaro
Christen Mattix
Kathleen McCarty
David McCrae
Dorothy McGuinness
Tom McIntire
Jazz Morgan
Jacqueline Moseley
Natalie Niblack
Gabriela Nirino
Leilani Norman
David Novak
Maren Oates
Barbara Osborne
Joshua Phelps
Chad Pilkington
Frank Port
Tracy Powell
Suzanne Powers
Dona Reed
Ann Chadwick Reid
Elizabeth Richardson-Isom
Kathy Ross
Jon Schmidt
Cathy Schoenberg
Peggy Shashy
Barbara Silverman Summers
Charlotte Slade Decker
Roger Small
Bonnie Smerdon
Gary Smith
Shann Spishak
Chuck St John
Stoned Patti O.
Annette Stiers Jones
Alexandra Strenfel
Libby Sullivan
Jeff Sweet
Annette Tamm
Susan Cohen Thompson
Kristi Uhles
Lara Wallace
Craig Weakley
Stuart Welch
Ken Westford
Tia Whitney Kurtz
Maria Wickwire
Mike Wise
Suze Woolf
Barbara Zander
Cathy Schoenberg
Pam Little
David Halpern
Ann Chadwick Reid
Kathy Ross
Natalie Niblack Jazz Morgan
Sarah Koten
Marius Hibbard
2025 Entertainment
MAIN STAGE
(Located at 3rd St next to the Hideout Bar)
Friday, August 1
12:00pm - 1:30pm - Erica Sunshine Lee
2:00pm - 3:30pm - Ebb, Slack, & Flood
4:00pm - 5:00pm - John Van Deusen
5:30pm - 7:00pm - Utopian Monk
Saturday, August 2
11:30am - 12:15pm - Josiah Bogle
12:30pm - 2:00pm - The Lucky Dogs
2:30pm - 4:00pm - Summer School
4:30pm - 6:00pm - The Fentons
6:30pm - 8:00pm - Mama Dirty Skirt
Sunday, August 3
11:30am - 1:00pm - Dunton Sisters
1:30pm - 3:00pm - Honestly No
3:30pm - 5:00pm - Chris Eger Band
JAZZ STAGE
(Located at 10th St next to the Reunion Wine Bar)
Friday, August 1
12:00pm - 1:30pm - Sharp Five Quintet
2:00pm - 3:30pm - Trish Hatley
4:00pm - 5:30pm - Saxomaniacs - Sax Quintet
6:15pm - 8:00pm - Birch Pereira & the Gin Joints
Saturday, August 2
11:00am - 12:30pm - Pax Wallace Quintet
1:00pm - 2:30pm - A’Town Big Band
3:00pm - 4:30pm - Holly Pyle & Dmitri Matheny
5:00pm - 6:30pm - R E P O S A D O
Sunday, August 3
12:00pm - 1:30pm - Joan Penney
2:00pm - 3:30pm - Pearl Django
4:00pm - 5:30pm - Little Jazz Friends
MAIN STAGE - Erica Sunshine Lee
The Performing Arts
From Friday morning to Sunday afternoon, get ready for non-stop entertainment on two stages packed with Jazz, spirited youth acts, reggae, blues, and feel-good hits from the ’70s and beyond! Kick
back, soak in the vibes, and enjoy incredible live music all weekend long—plus, treat yourself to craft brews, cocktails, and fine wines in the energetic beer and wine gardens right by the stages!
MAIN STAGE (3rd St) features high-energy performers, including Pop/Rock, Indie,
Oldies, Country, and Americana. Music will continue until 7pm on Friday and 8pm on Saturday.
JAZZ STAGE (10th St) – This stage, sponsored by the Manieri Foundation, features modern and traditional Jazz and blues. Music will continue until 8pm on Friday.
JAZZ STAGE - Little Jazz Friends
Art of the Gemstone!
Visit Burton Jewelers during the Arts Festival and see our amazing collection of loose gemstones! We have fabulous ruby, sapphire, emerald, tourmaline and many other gem varieties. Stop in to see the rare and valuable alexandrite that changes color in different lighting! Select any gemstone during the festival and receive 20% off the custom mounting with us.*
*If ordered by 9/30/25.
of your choice!
Please work by appointment by calling
We just received a new shipment of natural color sapphires! of your choice!
Please work by appointment by calling 360-293-6469. Walk-ins accommodated as time and staff allow. Current
We feature the one-of-a-kind “Sculptured” gemstones from the Munsteiner family of Germany. They pioneered this revolutionary style of gem cutting in the late 1970’s and we have been friends with them ever since. We import the loose stones and design custom mountings around the gems with you! Come by to see the current selection and learn more.
Open 10:30-5:00 Tuesday - Saturday
We ask that you work with us by appointment as much as possible. Walk-ins accommodated as time and staffing allows. Please call for appointment!
2025 Entertainment - Main Stage
MAIN STAGE - Utopian Monk
MAIN STAGE - Mama Dirty Skirt
MAIN STAGE - The Fentons
MAIN STAGE - Summer School
MAIN STAGE - Josiah Bogle
MAIN STAGE - Chris Eger Band
2025 Entertainment - Jazz Stage
JAZZ STAGE
JAZZ STAGE - Trish Hatley
JAZZ STAGE - Pearl Django
JAZZ STAGE - Dmitri Matheny
JAZZ STAGE - Birch Pereira & the Gin Joints
JAZZ STAGE - Sharp Five Quintet
JAZZ STAGE - Joan Penny
The Art of Discovery
Working Studios
7th St to the Historic Art Depot
Don’t miss the Working Studio at the Anacortes Arts Festival—a vibrant space where there is a true celebration of art and craftsmanship. It’s a rare chance to see creativity unfold before your eyes and hear firsthand the stories and techniques behind each craft. Experience the magic of art in action and connect with the artists themselves! Included are:
Cedar Carving and Weaving - Beaver Lodge
Chainsaw Carving – Steve Backus
Chalk Art – Betsy Diamond
Fabric Marbling – Marius Hibbard
Folk Art - Gustavo Vargas
Leatherwork – Michael Staum at Studio 102
Piano-cortes – Amelia Kaiser & Katheryn Carlson Merrill
Weaving – Whidbey Weavers Guild
Woodworking – Northwest Washington Wood Turners and Northwest Corner Woodworkers Association
Voted Best Thrift Shop for 2025!
The Soroptimist Thrift Shop is a non-profit business managed and run by members of Soroptimist International of Anacortes and volunteers from the local community. Since 1948 proceeds from sales have enabled us to give back to our community by helping women, children and families locally and around the world. We are located at 1107 3rd Street in Anacortes. Come see us for a great selection of clothing, housewares, beautiful jewelry, and much more!
Thrift Shop Hours: Tuesdays 1:30 pm - 6:30 pm, Fridays 11 am - 6:30 pm
Donation Days/Hours: Fridays 8:30 am - 11:00 am and 1:30 pm - 4:00 pm
Please check our website: soroptimistanacortes.org or our Facebook Page for more information.
Your clean, smoke-free, re-salable donations gladly accepted.
Youth Discovery Area
6th St & Commercial
The Anacortes Arts Festival is a vibrant experience for all ages, and our dedicated Youth Area is a testament to that! Thanks to the invaluable support of our Youth Area Committee, the Boys & Girls Club and the City of Anacortes, we’ve created a dynamic space just for our younger festival-goers. Here, imaginations can run wild with engaging craft projects, a performance stage for the young thespians, adventurous journeys along our cultural-themed trail, and endless creative possibilities in the giant sandbox. Plus, discover even more interactive activities designed to spark creativity and fun for kids of all ages. (sponsored by John L. Scott)
Featuring over 60 Talented Local Artists bringing their handcrafted gifts and specialty foods, this Festive Event is the best place to find that unique gift for the Holidays.
The Culinary Arts
A Vast Assortment of Cuisine
3rd Street & Commercial, 7th Street & Commercial and various intersection locations throughout the Festival
If your inner chef is calling, don’t worry—food trucks and booths are ready to serve up Pacific Northwest flavors, international favorites, and delicious desserts that will satisfy every craving. No one will leave the Festival hungry, thanks to a wide variety of food options ranging from classic treats like corn dogs, to shaved ice, to fish & chips, mouthwatering gyros, savory and sweet kettle corn, flavorful nuts, specialty lemonades, and more! Plus, downtown restaurants with outdoor seating add even more dining choices right in the heart of the Festival.
Beer and Wine Gardens
Get ready to tap your toes and snap your fingers as the electrifying beats pulse from two live performance stages. The two stages are adjacent to the beer and wine gardens! These spots are perfect for relaxing and soaking up tunes from an extraordinary lineup of regional artists. Each garden brings its own unique vibe, serving up the perfect mix of craft beer, fine wine, and cocktails to keep the good times flowing. Saturdays
Hideout Bar – 3rd St – the main Festival beer garden features micro-brews, wine, and fun cocktails in a can.
Reunion Wine Bar – 10th St – a lineup of regional varietals from Maryhill Winery – plus beer
The Art of Service
Our Festival weekend wouldn’t be possible without the incredible commitment of over 250 dedicated volunteers. We are deeply grateful for each and every one of them! From guiding guests as art docents at the fine art show, staffing the information booth, delivering food to booth vendors, stepping in to give artists a muchneeded break, to serving in the beer and wine gardens—and so much more— these volunteers truly are the heartbeat of our organization. We feel incredibly fortunate to have such a passionate community coming together, generously giving their time to welcome visitors and support everything we do. Their spirit and dedication inspire us every day.
