About the Paso Robles Festival of the Arts

With the opening of Paso Robles first open artists’ studio, Studios on the Park, there was a desire locally to celebrate the arts and introduce the community and visitors to art in a wholly hands-on and non-intimidating way. The Festival of the Arts accomplishes all that and more.

The Festival of the Arts is free to the public. Event attendees will learn about art in a casual and fun setting, take in art demonstrations, enjoy live performances and relax and enjoy downtown Paso Robles. The backdrop is the beautiful Downtown City Park plus free scenic tours of the Salinas River will take place throughout the day. River-themed art will be on display at Studios in the Park and a public mural project using the river as its subject will welcome all ages to participate. Downtown restaurants and tasting rooms become part of the fun offering artful dining options and fine wines – look for the Palettes and Palates poster at participating businesses.

“Follow the River, Follow the Dream”

“Follow the River, Follow the Dream” is a vision conceived by the Paso Robles community for the Salinas River Corridor. The vision includes preservation of river habitat and key vistas, enhanced recreational trail systems and public access, improved educational opportunities to learn of the Salinas River’s habitat and history, a redeveloped urban edge at Paso Robles Street, and new connections to the downtown core.

A State River Parkway Grant of $4 million has created the opportunity for the City to purchase privately owned land within the river corridor and begin to implement the river vision. The Festival of the Art’s ‘Follow the River, Paint the Dream’ theme celebrates both art and environment, directly contributing to the success of the River Parkway Grant effort.

Follow the River, Paint the Dream Art Exhibition
(Hosted by The City of Paso Robles and Studios on the Park)

The beautiful Salinas River Corridor serves as muse and subject for the inaugural Paso Robles Festival of the Arts, with a special exhibition being staged during the Festival.

During the months of April and May, artists will spend time exploring the Salinas River Corridor to gain inspiration for their submissions in the Follow the River, Paint the Dream Art Exhibition. In many cases, artists will actually paint on location the views, the subtle color shifts and changing light in this special place. Others will walk the river bed with cameras in hand. Mediums will include oil, pastel, watercolor, photography, sculpture, jewelry and ceramics.

Each participating artist in this exhibition will submit at least one piece of art to be on display and for sale during the Festival, with a portion of the proceeds from the sale of the art benefitting the Salinas River Corridor Project. The exhibition will take place starting at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 23, 2009 inside Studios on the Park, at 1130 Pine Street directly across the street from, and an integral part of, the inaugural Paso Robles Festival of the Arts. View a list of participating artists.