541-535-3733
	MidsummersDreamFestival.com

On the weekend of June 10 and 11, 2006, the grounds of the old Briscoe School will once again come alive for the second annual, “MidSummer’s Dream--Art and Music Festival. The festival hours are from 10:00am till 7:00pm on Saturday, and from 11:00 till 6:00pm on Sunday.
This years event will host nearly 100 local and regional artists and craftspeople, three stages of music, hands on art projects for kids of all ages, and various other art related events. Artists will be on hand throughout the weekend to talk about their art and allow patrons the opportunity to purchase art directly from the artist. The art on display throughout the weekend will include pottery, clothing, hats, fine woodwork, metal art, original oil and watercolor paintings, jewelry, hand blown glass, exotic plants, handwoven items, stained glass, garden art, handcrafted soaps and body care, face painting, handmade instruments, wooden toys, and much more.
The grounds of the old Briscoe School are idyllic for such an event. Under the boughs of the 100 year old cypress tree will be the local stage, appropriately named the Cypress Stage featuring music all weekend -- 50 art booths will grace the front area. The athletic field in back of Briscoe will host the Main Stage and another 50 art booths; additionally, food will be available out back, and the kids craft project area. Inside the ArtWing itself will be a third stage of music and an art exhibit featuring the art of local school children from kindergarden through highschool.

THE HISTORY
Though in the intense planning stages for the past four months, MidSummer’s Dream is actually a culmination of a vision which has been manifesting within the local artist community for well over a decade now. Roughly 20 years ago a group of artists got together and proposed the creation of an open air weekend marketplace along Ashland Creek in the alley behind the plaza. That was the beginning of The Lithia Arts Guild of Oregon. The Lithia Arts Guild worked with Parks and Recreation of Ashland to create what we all now know to be The Lithia Artisans Market of Ashland (LAMA). Working in partnership with the City of Ashland, LAMA has now been recognized by the New York Times as one of the top small-town art and craft markets in the country. From May through October the marketplace shines along the creek on what is now called Calle Guanajuato.
Nearly two years ago the board of the Lithia Arts Guild of Oregon (LAGO) had the foresight to recognize an opportunity for the artists of the Ashland area. Turning the old Briscoe Elementary School into an art center was an idea which had never been tried here in Ashland. It was an ideal solution to provide affordable studio space for local artists; a venue to expose the greater community to art with festivals and workshos; and a model method of using common space for the enrichment of the community.

THE MISSION
This is Ashland’s Premiere Art & Music Festival which celebrates the very best that the Pacific Northwest has to offer in art, craft, and music. This years theme is honoring the artist within each of us. The collective mission is to make MidSummer’s Dream into an festival which allows us to take common space and make it into a community place to gather and celebrate the arts. The mission is to establish this annual juried art event which draws enthusiasts from throughout the Northwest region, increases interest in Ashland among regional artists, increases exposure for local artists and businesses, promotes cultural tourism, enhances a sense of community in the Ashland area, stimulates local involvement in the arts, and provides a fun and safe place for everyone to come and play.

THE BENEFIT
This event also doubles as a fundraising venture to benefit both the Briscoe ArtWing and The Ashland School District--4 cents of every dollar spent at the festival goes directly to those charitable causes. The event is free but donations are greatly appreciated, and donations go to the Lithia Arts Guild and the many projects it has in the works. Not only does this event help the ArtWing and School District, but it helps every artist who participates. These artists and craftspeople are the alternative to the mass produced, imported goods available today in every big-box store throughout our country. When you support a local artist you are supporting a micro-industry which is low impact to the environment, and keeps the capital floating within our local economy. Dollars spent locally recycle through our locally owned grocery stores, restaurants, hotels, and farmers markets, thus helping eachother.

For more information please call Marcus Scott (Art Festival Coordinator) at 535-3733, or email soulcreations@charter.net.