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Cherry Creek Arts Festival
Rating Details »
Categories: Art Galleries, Local Flavor [Edit]
Neighborhoods: Southeast, Cherry Creek2 Steele St Ste B100
Denver, CO 80206
(303) 355-2787
- Price Range:
-
$$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street, Private Lot
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
15 reviews for Cherry Creek Arts Festival
I was surprised at how the crowd here didn't make me feel crowded. There are lots of people, but they seem to avoid bumping into one another or being impatient when another person stops right in front of them to check out some piece of art.
Speaking of the art, it is indeed very nice. Unfortunately almost everything is incredibly unaffordable for anyone that I went to the festival with. I mean like it seems that it was all marked way up from similar things we've bought at other art festivals or galleries. I'm especially looking at you blown glass vendors.
I'd say it's a nice way to spend a day outside, but I doubt I'd ever buy anything from the festival because I can't see myself spending that kind of dinero at a festival.
People thought this was:
- Useful (9)
- Funny (1)
- Cool (6)
People love to dis this event, claiming that it's too hot (like the weather is a controlling factor), and that most of the art is crap. The quality of the art is a matter of opinion and I admit that some of it just weird and some is kind of boring. Taking into account however is the fact that this is still the second largest Arts Festival in the country (Ann Arbor is the largest) and it's a juried event with only 10% of the 2,000 artists accepted.
The event has become much better organized over the years. The first year, 1991, each block had booths set up on both sides of the street creating a narrow path down the middle. With the crowds (and mass of strollers) trying to actually get into a booth was almost impossible. Now however, booths are lined up on only one side of each street which makes navigation much easier.
There is everything from serious woodworking - a magnificant ($15,000) door which would require a multi-million dollar house to be constructed around it, and a booth with hand carved wooden guitars, to stunning (seriously) water colors and oil paintings. One booth had oil paintings of food, including donuts which was almost impossible differentiate from a photograph. There is also some good and interesting photography, although I must admit, if I see one more photo of the gargoyles on top of the Chrysler Building (will it be called the Fiat Building now...hmmm) I may hurl. Lots of mixed media and what I like to call "whimsy" art like metal flying pigs and a tank sculpture (for your front yard). I admit, I had to shake my head at the booth with pots made from colorful garden hoses. I'd like to question the jury about that one...
Then there are the jewelry booths, which always have gaggles of females lined up three deep to the dismay of spouses standing in the shade praying that the wife does not have to have another bauble. Some of the jewelry is really creative and beautiful - some of it, not so much.
Still, the CCAF as an annual event has some great, and affordable art. There are bargains. A friend of mine picked up a large beautiful hand-blown glass bowl for only $150! Since artists set their own prices you need to pay attention as a similar glass creation from another artist will set you back $800 or more.
For those who just think that there are not enough "interesting" people to watch, HELLO, this is Cherry Creek not Soho. Get over it. Do what we do, show up early, don't get caught up in going into every booth, buy something you like and can afford and make sure to have a reservation at a local CC restaurant for lunch (eating standing up or sitting on a curb at the food court may support the Festival, but it's not my idea of a lunch).
People thought this was:
- Useful (2)
- Funny (1)
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As an amateur consumer, I really enjoy the show.
People who complain about the weather need to either move to San Diego or contact the weather gods and request an intervention.
We always make a special day by having lunch (food and alcohol) with friends in a "better" restaurant.
We go. We look. We enjoy. We eat. And, most times we buy something that we enjoy. It is "serious" art? No, it is art that hopefully will sell. That is the whole point. For artists to make some money.
People thought this was:
- Cool (1)
Three stars for:
1) Something fun to do that nearly all my friends are interested in
2) 90% of the art is crap, but the stuff that is good is REALLY good
3) It happens on a holiday weekend when I actually have Saturdays off work
Docked two stars for:
1) 900 degree weather, unrelenting with the pavement and all the crowds...couldn't the arts festival happen JUST ONCE on those occasional summer days that are in the 70s or even low 80s?
2) The most boring people watching on the planet. I really tried to find somebody interesting to look at while resting on a bench, and after 15 minutes realized the closest I was going to get were the artists themselves. ZZZZZZZ c'mon! And then I realized "Oh my god, what does that say about ME being here?"
And although I don't count this in my rating, the art really is expensive, blatantly overpriced in many cases.
People thought this was:
- Useful (1)
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First off: When your there forgo the food booths and go up a few blocks to Little Ollie's.
Next: Prepare for sweltering heat and dress accordingly.
Then: Enjoy the wonderful and exciting art.
This place is really a gem for the burgeoning artist and those who can afford their craft. I have to say that as of yet I have only bought pieces of jewelry, but once I start that big firm job I am going to make it a point to fly out for this festival.
Like the others say: bring your wallet, but be careful; it is hard to resist!
People thought this was:
- Useful (3)
- Funny (1)
- Cool (2)
I go every year and every year it's the same: crowded, hot, with tiny dogs and wondering tots--yet, it's great! The best artists in the area gather at one place for one weekend: July 6, 7, and 8 in Cherry Creek North.
It's an art gallery outside--plus, you can grab a beer and get a tan! I"ll be there!
People thought this was:
- Useful (3)
- Funny (1)
- Cool (1)
For some reason it's always 100+ degrees when it comes time for the Cherry Creek Arts Fest, but I can't hold the weather against this great festival. Anything that can get me to stroll along the blacktop on a sweltering summer day has got to be worth 5 stars.
I like to walk from tent to tent pretending I'm rich and can actually afford to bring some art home. A funky sculpture here, a beautiful painting there and a huge crystalline photograph are exactly what I need to spruce up my manse.
When I'm done feeling hoity-toity, I buy an ice cream cone, scout out a shady spot and watch the entertainment in food tent row.
People thought this was:
- Useful (2)
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- Cool (1)
To be honest, Cherry Creek is not my usual 'hood. But that doesn't mean they can't throw a kick-ass arts festival.
Unlike the folks who reside in Cherry Creek, I can't afford to buy most of the artwork here, but hey, it's no crime to look. And anything that gets people together outside in the summer has got to be a good thing.
People thought this was:
- Useful (3)
Picture crappy art and hot weather and hillbillies with no interest in art at all who just want to drink.
Now picture that on drugs.
Five stars.
People thought this was:
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- Cool (2)
As a professional artist I can tell you it's the best! I live in Cherry Creek and it's the event to look forward to all summer. I went to four other art festivals this summer and the CCAF is by far the best! This year it was even better than before because the artist demo booth was indoors, air conditioned and well miked. What fun, cold drinks, great art, you can now bring your doggie, valet bike parking, what could be better.
People thought this was:
- Useful (2)
- Cool (3)
Never been to Cherry Creek, and the day of the Art Festival seemed like a good time to pop my Cherry Creek cherry.
But damn son, was I not impressed!
So this festival consists of a lot of artists booths with highly mediocre work; with blocks and blocks of booths, I think I stopped at one of them maybe? I was looking around, but nothing seemed to catch my eye..and what I did see was simply too expensive to even be considered. Also, not a huge fan of the 100 degree weather, although the thunderstorm and heavy winds that sent the people scattering at about 3pm caused an interesting spectacle.
Anyway, beyond that, the festival did have a lot of people handing out free marketing stuff (me included...want a free Yelp fan??) so that's always a perk.
Still, for all that, I like events like these and think there should be more of them - even if this one didn't quite live up to par - so the CCF gets its 3rd star.
-----
Oh damn, I wasted my 350th review on this dig? Sheeeeit
People thought this was:
- Useful (1)
- Cool (1)
There was one artist in particular that stuck out to me and that was because he had waterfront views of the ocean.
No joke, the oil on canvas (I think) hand-drawn images looked so much like the real thing, that I thought the paintings were photographs until I got up closer to see how much the paintings were. The prices were hard to believe as well, but the point of the story is that I got to see this amazing foreign substance called water, which comes from this big scary gooey place called the oshon, I mean, ocean.
I have been dying to Feng Shui out my house by having a water feature, and one of those paintings would of done the trick, except I would of not been able to pay my rent for the next 6 months, but sometimes, as many women know, you suffer for beauty.
Once again, I was failed to be impressed by another one of Denver's fairs, art shows, and booth shopping. I felt like I had seen all of the vendors before, and there were really only a couple of artistic booths that I personally thought were authentic, original, and worth pointing at. The food options were good, their was live music, and free goodies here and there.
I would have enjoyed speakers along the streets where the vendors were... So I could groove out to the tunes, even if I was five or six blocks away from the live show.
* Star one for bringing art into the communities
** You are a nice person star two is for bringing community together
*** Wow, that is amazing star three is for inspiring people to look into their creative interests
**** Wow that was easy star four is for easy walking streets and easy to find your way around
The worst part of the fair, as always, was the parking... But I should have been biking it anyway.
Had a good time when Sis and I drove in for the festival. Yes, it was blistering hot, and everything to drink is too expensive, but hey, we walked to the nearby Cherry Creek Mall and got something to drink. Nothing says you have to stay at the festival for goodness sakes. There were some fun culinary demos, and it was a hoot trying to get into some of the arty businesses in the area. The crowd was too much, but it was fun to cruise through the booths. I was in the mood to buy, but didn't because frankly the prices at every booth were outrageous. To demostrate, went later to Boulder, which is not the cheapest place to find chotzkies and found hand made pottery for a lot less. Overall I would go again, but forgt about buying anything unless you love spending money.
People thought this was:
- Cool (1)
If you're looking for unique art from all over the US and Canada, this is your festival. You can walk for several blocks to see all kinds of art to strike your fancy. If the weather is hot, you can grab some food and drink and hang out in the Beer Garden. We sampled a few different food items and stopped at one of the local pubs before calling it a day. Go on a nice day and I'm sure you'll find something you like. There wasn't too much local art, but a ton of different types of art from different cities. Go early to avoid the crowd and the heat.
People thought this was:
- Useful (2)
- Cool (1)
An art festival that I think rivals that of Ann Arbor's. Row upon row of booths. All artists are juried to get in. Beautiful items of all typies of media, artists come from all over the country, and indeed, the world. Bring your wallet!
People thought this was:
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