executive director Daniel

Hintz got the turnout he hoped for — plus some — at the Sept. 1 Open Space Art Party, a sneak preview of sorts for the visual arts portion of the Fayetteville Arts Festival. Nearly 400 attended the fundraiser, which took place among the festival’s 41 juried exhibits at the Fayetteville Town Center. As many as 5, 000 art lovers took in the festival in its opening weekend. The schedule concluded with short plays, performance-arts workshops and musical performances on Saturday.

This was the first year the 10-year-old festival was held indoors, and it likely won’t be the last, Hintz said.

“While it is still a festival, it was much more like a gallery opening,” he said. At the party and throughout the festival, visitors took time to chat with the artists and each other. The intimate setting made it “much more of an experience,” Hintz added.

The exhibits were judged by Chris Crosman, chief curator for the soon-to-be-built Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, and Michele McGuire, curator of visual arts for the Walton Arts Center. Photographer Don House took the prize for Best of Show, Trent Tally won Best in 3 D and Ned Spurlock’s handmade dulcimers earned him runner-up in 3 D. James Kunzelmann and Nathan Beatty took first place and runner-up in Best in 2 D, respectively.

Food for the Open Space Art Party was by Bordinos, Emelia’s Mediterranean Kitchen and La Maison des Tartes, though it didn’t last long. Beverages were provided by St. John Wines, Hog Haus Brewing Co. and sisters Tina McAlister and Jacqueline Scalise from Post Familie Vineyards.

The night before the Open Space Art Party, Leslie and Ted Belden hosted a gathering at their condo in the Campbell-Bell building overlooking the Fayetteville Square. The guest list included the artists and others associated with the festival and Fayetteville Downtown Partners.

Hintz said many of the participating artists and hundreds of festival patrons filled out satisfaction surveys so that organizers can improve the festival next year. Fayetteville Downtown Partners organizes and promotes the Fayetteville Arts Festival, formerly known as the Fayetteville Fine Arts Festival. Open Space Art Party Sept. 1 WHAT: A fundraiser to kick off the Fayetteville Arts Festival WHERE: Fayetteville Town Center BY THE NUMBERS: Nearly 400 attended the party, and about 5, 000 attended the festival.