Nov 15, 2003: SECOND FONTAINHAS FESTIVAL The Fontainhas Festival of the Arts is a unique festival that has no parallel anywhere else in India. This festival turns private houses into art galleries for eight days early next year. The Goa Heritage Action Group, an NGO based in Goa, has plans to organize this art festival with a difference between 10th-17th January 2004 in the heritage precinct of Fontainhas-Mala, Panaji, Goa.
The precinct will showcase artists from all over Goa and the rest of the country in a festival the likes of which have never been seen before. Art works will be displayed in heritage homes in balcãos, verandahs, salas and dining rooms and part of the proceeds will go towards the preservation of Goa's priceless heritage. The Corporation of the City of Panaji will be invited to participate as Festival Partners and will upgrade streets, infrastructure, storm drains, etc. At the last festival, the Corporation had lime washed heritage home facades in traditional colours adding to the Corporation's campaign of "Together for Panjim". Artists from all over India and abroad will be invited to participate in the festival. 30% all of sale proceedings will come to the group out of which half will be given to the heritage home for its up-gradation and upkeep. Art will range from paintings, sculpture, installation to pottery and will be price structured to suit all budgets. In addition to the art works, musicians and dancers will enliven the atmosphere at the Festival with their contributions and live performances will entertain visitors in the evenings. Over ten thousand visitors are expected to come for the Fontainhas Festival of the Arts from India and abroad. Food from various parts of India will be served at the food stalls set up in the streets. Beer "gardens" in streets and heritage home courtyards will make a presence felt at the festival. The first Fontainhas Festival of the Arts held in January-February 2003 was a huge success. It brought in visitors from all over Goa and abroad and was featured in Indian as well as European newspapers and magazines. It attracted the participation of Air India, Indian Airlines, State Bank of India, Cidade de Goa, Kingfisher and others. It brought art lovers from across the world and perhaps for the first time, gave everyone a chance to interact with heritage homeowners in Goa. In 2004, the festival will showcase the work of 45 artists in over 35 private homes. There will also be art and music on the street. As a surprise feature, five great art personalities of India will deliver a slide illustrated talk at the venue over five out of the eight days. Jehangir Sabavala, Prafulla Dahanukar, Akbar Padamsee, Rekha Rodwittye and Dr. Saryu Doshi have consented to participate in this Retrospective. These great Indian personalities from the art world will speak on their own work and will then answer any questions from the audience. In addition, there will be two art workshops. There will be a workshop designed for children to appreciate art. There will also be a workshop titled FROM DOT TO LINE by renowned art promoter Geeta Kapadia. This workshop will be open to participants of all ages. The Fontainhas Festival of the Arts is a unique concept that brings art, heritage and music together. Visitors to the festival get a chance not just to appreciate works of art in unique settings but also a chance to visit heritage homes and interact with Goan families in their own environment. There is interaction between artists, homeowners and visitors at unprecedented levels. And all this interaction takes place against a backdrop of the beautiful, charming homes of the citizens of Panjim, Goa. * * * ########################################################################## # Send submissions for Goanet to [EMAIL PROTECTED] # # PLEASE remember to stay on-topic (related to Goa), and avoid top-posts # # More details on Goanet at http://joingoanet.shorturl.com/ # # Please keep your discussion/tone polite, to reflect respect to others # ##########################################################################