Redlands Festival of the Arts

Festival 2025 Salutes “American Gothic,”
By Regionalist Painter Grant Wood

"Visitors to the 2025 Redlands Festival of the Arts will have a unique opportunity to experience the genius of regionalist painter Grant Wood and his iconic work, “American Gothic,” Saturday- Sunday, May 24-25, opening 10 am daily, Memorial Day weekend in Smiley Park, 125 Vine Street, between the Smiley Library and Lincoln Shrine and Museum.

In addition to the Salute To American Gothic theme activities, the Festival’s 2025 exhibit areas will host over 100 artists. Artists from all over the USA, Southern California and the Inland Empire, who will exhibit and sell their works to thousands of visitors. Many of the artists will be competing for best in show awards and $6,000.00 in cash prizes. There is no admission charge, and proceeds from the Festival are awarded as grants to local youth art programs for needy students.

Festival Chairwoman Tracy Massimiano said, “While the well-known Grant Wood American Gothic painting won’t make the trip from its home at the Art Institute of Chicago to Redlands, the Festival will bring it to life, however, with a series of thematic special hands-on fun art activities and learning experiences designed for the whole family to enjoy.”

To kick off the fun, Massimiano announced “American Gothic Parody” as the theme for the Sidewalk Chalk Art Competition. High school students and their teachers are invited to register, explore a special art creative enrichment guide and then unleash their parody interpretations in chalk at a special sidewalk chalk art exhibit location. Winners receive cash prizes, and their artwork appears on the Festival web site. Click here for the entry form. Click here for the guide.

Next door at the Youth Art Expo’s tents sponsored by the Margaret Clark Art Education Enrichment Foundation (MCAEEF), American Gothic parody coloring sheets and art supplies will be available to kids and parents in a special hands-on art creative area. The tents also will showcase the MCAEEF Student Art Competition’s entries and winners.

“There is lots to see for the whole family and fun things to do,” said Annette Weis, YAE and Redlands Cinema Classic Founder- Coordinator. Applications for students to participate in the competition are available to download here (English) or here (Spanish) or at the web site for the Redlands Cinema Classic, or at the Redlands Art Association, 215 E State Street,
Redlands. Proceeds from the Redlands Cinema Classic benefit the YAE’s student art competition and the Festival’s kids’ art activities.

This year’s Festival Information area will include an American Gothic Parody Photo Booth Backdrop, where visitors can use their phones to snap their own keepsake digital photos. Other activities planned include a reading area inside the Redlands Smiley Library with Grant Wood art books and a list of other Grant Wood related art, historical and biographical books.

The Festival Musical Artist Stages will include live music performed on both days. A wide variety of artists will appear to perform jazz, blues, bluegrass, country, pop and the classics--including well-known local artists, students and many others. Next to the main stage is the popular Festival Beer and Wine Garden, which is sponsored by Redlands’ own Ritual Beer.

Nearby, the Festival Food Truck Fantasy will include all kinds of tasty treats and meals including pizza, burgers, vegan treats and the popular Cousins Lobster Truck. There will be more to see at Art in the Park sponsored by the Redlands Art Association, which will be co-located on the Eureka Street side of Smiley Park at the Redlands Bowl. There is no admission charge for the Festival.

The nonprofit Festival is organized and run by many volunteers. Nancy O’Conner, Volunteer Coordinator, is seeking new community service volunteer youth and adults willing to work in a wide range of roles. “Volunteering at the Festival is easy and fun,” said O’Connor. Those interested in volunteering can learn more by emailing her at: Nancy.oconnor47@gmail.com .
This year’s sponsors for the event include: the Rochford Foundation, Maupin Financial Advisors, ChurchWest Insurance Services—The Cutler Group, The Contemporary Club of Redlands, Shirley Harry & Family, Jerry and Marilyn Bean, Century 21 Real Estate—Lynn Whitmer, Redlands Art Association, Margaret Clark Art Education Enrichment Fund, Redlands Cultural Arts Commission, Citrograph Printing Co., Redlands Community Foundation, Hatfield Buick-GMC, Matson-Waner Wealth Management, Ritual Brewing, Gerrards, Raising Cane’s, Evans & Co, Matson-Waner Wealth Management, Rotary Club of Redlands, Nancy O’Connor, Redlands Community Music Association, Arts Council and Connection of San Bernardino County." Redlands Festival of the Arts

• Sat. Saturday, May 24 10 am - 4 pm Sun. Sunday, May 25th 10:00 10 am - 4 pm
• Website