FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

                                                                                    September 19, 2007

TENTH ANNIVERSARY OF BETHESDA ROW ARTS FESTIVAL OCTOBER 20-21

NATIONALLY RANKED FESTIVAL BENEFITS NIH CHILDREN’S CHARITIES

Bethesda, MD, August 2007 – Spend a fine fall weekend viewing and shopping some of the nation’s finest artists and crafters, while enjoying great food and music at the tenth anniversary of the Bethesda Row Arts Festival October 20-21, 2007.  This preeminent urban festival attracts art lovers from throughout the metropolitan Washington region.  The festival continues the tradition of free attendance while financially helping kids through NIH Children’s Charities.

The Bethesda Row Arts Festival, sponsored by Federal Realty Investment Trust, Lexus of Rockville, Comcast, and The Greater Bethesda-Chevy Chase Chamber of Commerce features 180 juried artists and crafters selected for technique, originality, and art quality.  All 10,000 pieces of art are available for sale.  The festival features photography, jewelry, glass, ceramics, drawings, and pastels, oil painting, water color, wood, metalwork, fiber, printmaking, sculpture, digital art, and mixed media.  In addition to original artwork for every taste and budget, attendees at this year’s festival will enjoy some of the area’s best street performers, musical acts, food and dining, plus hands-on children’s art activities.

“Our fine artists create beautiful objects which both inspire and are usable for daily living.  We very much appreciate their talent and the community supporting this event,” said Randy Schools, President & CEO, NIH Children’s Charities.  “This year the Bethesda Row Arts Festival is fortunate to be able to expand its commitment to the Arts through the Bethesda Row Arts Festival Scholarship. In 2007, the Bethesda Row Arts festival will award a $3,000 scholarship supporting an artist pursuing a Master of Art in Teaching degree from the Corcoran College of Art + Design.”

This lively area, located in south Bethesda, is turned into an outdoor gallery covering four city blocks and featuring shaded sidewalk cafés, antique street lights and benches, music, shops, boutiques and an eight-screen movie theater.  It is in this setting that attendees have the opportunity to view and purchase works from this comprehensive exhibition as well as visit with artisans who distinguish themselves by being chosen for this wonderful fall event. 

 The tenth annual Bethesda Row Arts Festival is free to the public.  It will be held on Saturday, October 20 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday, October 21, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.  The outdoor event is held rain or shine on Bethesda Row located on Woodmont and Bethesda Avenues, and Elm Street, east of Arlington Road.  The festival is in easy walking distance from the Bethesda Metro station and 15 minutes from downtown Metrorail stops.  Numerous free parking garages (49 and 57) are conveniently located around the site. For more information visit the website at www.bethesdarowarts.org or call 301-816-6958.

PRESS ONLY, PLEASE CONTACT:                       PUBLIC INFORMATION:

Patty Laing, 703-818-8444, or pmpl@cox.net           301-816-6958 or www.bethesdarowarts.org