Saturday, June 22 marks the 11th annual Bonny Doon Art and Wine Festival, a yearly gathering of the decentralized community to celebrate local vintners, brewers, artists, and craftspeople — all in the name of supporting the programs of the Bonny Doon Elementary School.
For the second consecutive year, the event will take place at Vigné Farms Equestrian Park, located at 3675 Bonny Doon Road in Bonny Doon, and will feature tastings by more than 10 wineries and three local breweries, as well as gourmet catered food.
Also on hand will be a many local artists, demonstrating their works of art, answering questions for aficionados, and offering pieces for sale.
Among these artists will be this year’s featured artist, Santa Cruz-based painter Katharina Short.
Short, who has painted almost exclusively in acrylics for the past 15 years, is a newcomer to the event, and brings a body of work that features bright colors on surfaces that include canvas, wood, and masonite.
“I’m mostly interested in color and story,” Short said. “It usually starts out with shapes and they lend themselves to the conversation.”
A self-taught painter, Short said that she enjoys painting people and animals and her work has adorned CD album covers and book covers.
“I paint anything that stands still long enough,” she said with a laugh. “I’ve just learned what works for me and my medium.”
She said that the event’s organizers, the Bonny Doon Community School Foundation, contacted her in March to participate in the event, and announced her as the featured artist in April.
She said that she will have a healthy mix of acrylic paintings, as well as mixed media pieces, on display at the festival.
Among the wineries featured at the festival will be Bonny Doon-based Beauregard Vineyards, annual participants dating back to the inaugural event.
Rachel Beauregard, the winery’s general manager, said that the Beauregard booth would be pouring two varietals: Saignée of pinot noir, using grapes from Coast Grade Vineyard; as well as a simple pinot noir, created with Byington Winery grapes.
Beauregard said that the company has participated in the event so much due to the great community support given to the school.
“We think it’s an awesome event,” Beauregard said. “It’s really well done, with great food and great wine.”
According to the Bonny Doon Community School Foundation, last year’s event drew in more than $29,000 – all of which was contributed to the school.
For tickets and information visit www.bonnydoonartandwinefestival.com
Bonny Doon Art and Wine Festival
When: 1 to 6 p.m., June 22
Where: Vigné Farms Equestrian Park, 3675 Bonny Doon Road
Cost: $50
Info: www.bonnydoonartandwinefestival.com
