“If you did not have art you would not have a pretty world.”
- An eight year old child

We are excited to announce the second annual Where the Sidewalk Ends: Family Arts Festival for Youth Art Month to take place at Thornebrook Village. Admission to the public is free. The festival includes art vendors, music, food, art activities, art demonstrations, kid's activities, live reenactments and family-friendly organizations. We look forward to spending an inspiring and creative fun-filled day with you to help promote Youth Art Month.

Where the Sidewalk Ends: Family Arts Festival will have a live reenactment of a famous piece of art from the following art styles: Cubism/ Picasso, Impressionist/ Monet, Pop Art/ Andy Warhol, Primitivism/ Matisse and Surrealism/ Dali. We are excited to collaborate with many local actors and high school theater departments to bring these reenactments to life. If you would like to participate in one of our reenactments, click here for more information. Feel what it's like to be in an artist's studio as you have a live subject and experienced artists at your fingertips to inspire your creativity.

This marks the 50th Anniversary of Youth Art Month (YAM), a month of promoting art and art education in the United States. It is observed in March, with thousands of American schools participating, often with the involvement of local art museums and civic organizations. YAM was founded by the Crayon, Water Color & Craft Institute, Inc., in cooperation with the National Art Education Association, in 1961. YAM 2011's theme is “Art Shapes the World!”. The Council for Art Education, which sponsors YAM, says, "Art education develops self-esteem, appreciation of the work of others, self-expression, cooperation with others, and critical thinking skills, skills vital to the success of our future leaders --- our children.". Yopp! inc. is devoted to bringing family-friendly, educational and cultural events to our community that inspire creativity and empowerment of youth. All proceeds from Where the Sidewalk Ends will go to Gainesville Creative Kids to create art programs for youth in our community.

"Art is something one can use to search for the creative part of yourself.  It has made me think a lot about what I can do." --- A high school student

(click to listen to our radio interview)

Schedule of Events

Stage One
10:00am	Susan Perko has a soft spot for singing just about anything. Having two children, she has recently been exploring the art of the lullaby and dabbling in jazz on the piano her sweet husband bought her 3 years ago. Susan has a BA in music from the University of Minnesota. Some highlights of her music career include singing Maria in the Sound of Music and taking harmonium lessons at Ammachi's ashram in India.
10:30am	Hogtowne Middle School Drama Program has attended district and state competitions. They also work on integrated programs with the Hippodrome Theater.
10:45am	Studio Percussion Drumline has a stationary (non-marching) group which is great for beginning and intermediate players and a marching group geared towards intermediate/advanced players. Both groups perform at all home UF women's varsity soccer team games, in the homecoming parade, and are invited to play at other local events.
11:00am	Proclamation from Mayor Lowe to celebrate March as Youth Art Month and invite all citizen's to support the arts in education and our community.
11:15am	Hogtowne Middle School Dance and Capoeira is a Brazilian martial art that emphasizes strength training, acrobatic moves, music, and dance. Hoggetowne Middle School is the first public school in the United States to offer Capoeira as part of an integrated curriculum.The dance program, taught by Ms. Sarah Swanson, introduces students to varying styles of dance to teach students the basics of movement and expression.
11:45am	Gainesville Improv Comedy is committed to providing a safe and fun environment. Students will  learn basic improv games, strategies, and the building blocks to perform an improv show. Classes are based on the SecondCity curriculum and are tailored for quick and fun learning.
12:00pm	Starlight Trio is the perfect accompaniment to your evening martini, elegant dinner, or any special occasion. The members of Starlight Trio have been playing music together and independently for more than 20 years. They have honed their music through hundreds of performances and will not fail to impress.
12:45pm	Hoop and Health will perform hoop dancing, a fun- fitness dance craze for you and your family! Hoola Hoops are back in a whole new way! Enjoy watching hoop dancing as an expressive art form as well a way to relieve stress. Jodi Jainchill, PT of Hoop and Health.com and Heather Manche will share ways you can get started as an adult with your kids!
1:00pm	Lindsey Mills is a folk artist from Lake Worth, FL. She began playing her catchy original songs on an acoustic guitar around her hometown in 2007, self-releasing two albums before migrating north to Gainesville to attend the University of Florida, where she continues to write and perform. Her latest endeavors involve a full band and rather endearing woodland creature costumes.
1:30pm	Ethic Dance Expressions will be performing several Middle Eastern dances with finger cymbals and an Egyptian Ghawazee Scarf dance to name a few.We offer a variety of dance styles like Egyptian, Lebanese and Turkish as well as Zambra Mora an Arabic Flamencoand Belly Dancing which is a wonderful low-impact, aerobic workout with lots of stretching and muscle isolations.  Students learn technique, choreographies, how to dance with veils and finger cymbals and more.  So take a chance and Belly Dance!
1:45pm	Star Martial Arts is a martial arts school located in Thornebrook Village. They offer after school care and pick-up.
2:00pm	Hogtowne Middle School Band is a progressive rather than traditional music program. Students learn rock, pop, and hip-hop songs on a variety of popular instruments. In the classroom there are three electronic drum sets, six keyboard stations, one electric bass station, and six electric guitar stations. Instrument choice, however, is not limited to these instruments. Students may play any instrument they choose.
2:15pm	Theater Strike Force has been a comedy powerhouse at the University of Florida since 1989. Now, with regular performances for packed audiences and ever increasing membership, TSF has become one of the largest and most popular collegiate comedy groups in the nation, best known for their "short-form" improv popularized on the TV show Whose Line Is It, Anyways?
2:45pm	The Kaley School of Music offers a comprehensive study of music instrument performance, composition, and history with drum, guitar, piano, voice, and viola lessons. We are Gainesville's original at-home music school since 2004.
3:00pm	Raffle - Enter at Info booth to win Disney Tickets, Hippodrome Tickets, Butterfly Rainforest Tickets, GCP Tickets, Pro Taekwondo Birthday and more!
Stage Two
10:00am	Gainesville Homeschoolers reenactment of Dogs Playing Cards.
12:30pm	T-Bo (AKA Xander Kiker) is a 9 year old who loves to break dance.  His love of rhythm began when he was about 2 years old and he used chopsticks to drum on anything and everything.  T-Bo has been break dancing for about 1 year and has mostly learned to dance by watching others and trying to repeat what he sees.  T-Bo is grateful for this opportunity to show his moves to a supportive audience.
1:00pm	Aikido of Gainesville teaches people techniques for reacting to attacks which receive and control the attacker and resolve the conflict quickly and effectively.  We study the anatomy of the body and apply physics and leverage to control with the least amount of effort to have the most effect.
1:30pm	Aerial Dance on Trapeze and Chiffon plus Jugglers, Hoopers and Poi Artists brought to you by S-Connection, LLC!  S-Connection, LLC offers Aerial Arts and more at Two Hawk Hammock in Williston, FL.  Owner Corey Souza has performed aerial dance with Circo Picolino, Fern Street Circus and Aerial Revolution.  Beginning - advanced private and group classes offered at Two Hawk Hammock in Williston, Fl.

If you are musician, dancer and/or any other performer who would like to share your talent at this festival please email us or call 352.377.9984.

Artist Information

We are looking for artists who would like to give demonstations of their own creations. We can provide you with a booth to display your item. Also, if you have an art piece that you would like to add to our auction we can include you in our promotional materials and all proceeds will be donated to Gainesville Creative Kids, a community arts program. Please email us or call 352.262.6907 if you are interested.

Volunteer Information

Below are the volunteer opportunities for this event:

• Actors and performers of all ages needed to reenact famous paintings. Click here to sign-up.
• Shift volunteers to staff lemonade stand, face paint area, children's painting station, information booth, youth vendor section, floaters for supply restocking, helping with set-up and clean-up. Shift one 8am-1pm, shift two 1pm-6pm.
• Artists to share their talent throughout the day.

Please email us or call 352.262.6907 if you are interested in participating.

Vendor Information

Click here to view festival map

Celebrate Youth Art Month and share your art with youth in our community. Registration & setup will begin on Saturday, March 19th from 8 am to 9:45am. It is requested that all vendors remain open until at least 4:00 pm. We would like to see each vendor provide a youth-friendly atmosphere. This is an incredible opportunity to promote your organization and support your community. We expect a great turn out. The event is already being covered by TV20, local radio stations, community announcements and The Gainesville Sun.

If you would like your organization to be mentioned on our web site, in our press releases and on our public service announcements you need to commit to participating now.

Fees for Festival of Art: $35 per space - You keep all proceeds made through your sales.
* Fee for Food Vendors is $50 per space. Must be approved by festival committee.
** A few spaces at no charge are available for non-profit organizations who set up a kid-friendly activity. Contact us for more information.

Vendor Application

Pay now through paypal:

Or mail check payable to Yopp!:
Yopp! inc.
6814 NW 43 Place
Gainesville, FL 32606

If you have any questions please email us or call 352.870.7597

Non-Profit Organizations

As a nonprofit organization, your participation in this event is totally free! Space is limited for nonprofit organizations. We do ask all nonprofits to provide a free children's activity. This is an incredible opportunity to promote your organization and support your community. We expect a great turn out. The event is already being covered by tv20, local radio stations and The Gainesville Sun.

If you would like your organization to be mentioned on our web site, in our press releases and on our public service announcements you need to commit to participating now.

Non-Profit Application

Youth Vendors

Calling all artists ages 4-14 who would like to sell their creations. Time slots are 2 hours long. Size is limited to a card table size area (you will need to provide the table). It's FREE to participate. Just complete the following to reserve your spot. Share and sell your art at our festival and you keep all proceeds! Youth Vendor Poster

Raffle

Make sure to stop by our information booth for a free raffle ticket. Additional raffle tickets may be purchased. All raffle items will be called at 3:00.

Items include:
Family 4-pack of park hopper tickets to Walt Disney World
2 Tickets to The Hippodrome Mainstage
2 Tickets to The Hippodrome Cinema
2 Tickets to Gainesville Community Playhouse
2 Tickets to The Museum of Natural History Butterfly Rainforest
Mother's Day Photo Session
Gainesville Creative Kids Class
Hank's Yarn Basket
Dorn's Gift Basket
Original Pieces of Art
(5) 1 Month Gainesville Health and Fitness Memberships
TCBY Coupons
Pro Taekwondo 1 moth martial arts membership
Pro Taekwindo Birthday Party package for up to 25 children

Thanks to our Sponsors!

Papa John's Pizza
Walt Disney World
Gainesville Health and Fitness
Gainesville Creative Kids
Pro Taekwondo School
The Hippodrome
Florida Museum of Natural History
Gainesville Fine Arts Association
Gainesville Community Playhouse
TCBY
Chicka-d Studios
ParisLeaf Printing
Publix
Moe's
Chick-fil-A
The City of Gainesville Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs