Coronavirus claims Catalina Art Festival

“View from Hamilton” | by Terry Chacon

The Coronavirus has claimed another victim on the island of Catalina. The popular, Catalina Art Festival, scheduled for September was officially cancelled for this year. It would have been the 62nd year for the festival

Although the island is beginning to reopen and visitors are starting to return, the unpredictability of reopening communities forces large events to make decisions early. Catalina Art Festival organizer Laura Lola Di Miele said the decision had to be made now and the many questions of safety forced the Art Association to make the tough decision to cancel now. Di Miele said the choice was hard, but she saw no other alternative.

“To do it properly, it takes three months to plan one of those festivals,” Di Miele said.

The summer Catalina Art Festival is the largest event for the association, but they also have an Easter Festival and holiday boutique to help raise funds to keep the association afloat. The gallery has been closed and Di Miele is not sure when it might reopen. For now, the association is promoting art sales online to try and keep itself going. 

This year’s featured artist was going to be Terry Chacon. Chacon is an artist based in Redlands California, but a frequent visitor to the island who has painted lots of island-scapes. Her work is on this week’s cover. She was also scheduled to teach a workshop during the festival. 

Her work is in private collections in more than 20 countries. She also sculpts in ceramic and bronze and designs jewelry. She is also a dog lover and is a breeder of show winning Afghan Hounds. Dogs are also among her many painting subjects. 

For more visit catalinaartassociation.org, or terrydchacon.com.