Upstate Visual Arts invites artists from Greenville, as well as across the state of South Carolina and beyond to apply for the first ever West Greenville Arts Festival scheduled for September 19th and 20th in Greenville, SC.

Presented by Upstate Visual Arts, and in partnership with the Pendleton Street Arts District, the West Greenville Arts Festival is an exciting new fall event devoted to the visual arts. The festival expects thousands of visitors to enjoy the work of outstanding artists in a full range of 2D and 3D media. The West Greenville Arts Festival 2009 will be open from 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. on Sunday. This event will be the first of its kind in the newly renovated, historic Pendleton Street Arts District. The festival will feature booth artists, food vendors and the participation of galleries and businesses in the West Greenville area.

Our goal is to bring exposure to Upstate Visual Arts organization and members, create a venue for local artists while highlighting the businesses, restaurants and artists of West Greenville, particularly the artists of the Pendleton Street Arts District. Through the event, we hope to re-introduce the community to the area and have them tour the businesses to encourage their return after the festival.

Individual artists, crafters, fine craft artisans and guilds are invited to apply to the arts and crafts booth exhibition during the festival in September. All media are encouraged and welcomed. The booth exhibition is not limited to local artists; all are welcome to apply.

Showcasing the businesses, studios and galleries of the West Greenville area is an important aspect of the festival. We hope to bring thousands of visitors to the Pendleton Street Arts District. The participating businesses will be located in West Greenville and many will be part of the visual arts or food service industries. This is an opportunity for these revitalized West Greenville businesses to be involved in a festival, but to remain in their own location. Businesses will be required to complete and return a participation agreement form and fee.

Food vendors may apply for booth space on the festival grounds for the weekend event and will provide up to six menu items for guests.

The event also includes a juried artist show and exhibition of works by members of Upstate Visual Arts at the organization's gallery on Pendleton Street. The West Greenville Arts Festival will feature demonstration and exhibition tents by visual art related organizations and guilds, music performances, and a children's activity area. The festival is absolutely free to the public.

To exhibit at the West Greenville Arts Festival 2009 as a booth artist, food vendor or area business, a completed application and application fee must be mailed to Upstate Visual Arts, postmarked no later then Friday, May 8, 2009. The prospectus and application may be requested by calling the Upstate Visual Arts office at 864.232.4433 or by email: UpstateArts@Bellsouth.net

Upstate Visual Arts exists to enhance the quality of life within the community by elevating the stature of visual art and educating the public to its significance. For more information about Upstate Visual Arts, please contact the UVA office at (864) 232.4433 or www.upstatevisualart.org.