2009 Pageant of the Masters
Where Art Comes To Life!
July 8 - August 31, 2009,  Gala Benefit Saturday, August 29, 2009

Each night during the summer season at 8:30 the Festival of Arts presents its most famous attraction, the Pageant of the Masters.

What is it?

Ninety minutes of "living pictures" - incredibly faithful art re-creations of classical and contemporary works with real people posing to look exactly like their counterparts in the original pieces. An outdoor amphitheater, professional orchestra, original score, live narration, intricate sets, sophisticated lighting, expert staff, and hundreds of dedicated volunteers have won recognition for the Pageant as the best presentation of its kind.

MISSION STATEMENT:
Our mission is to promote, produce, and sponsor events and activities that encourage the appreciation, study and performance of the arts.

The 2009 Pageant of the Masters Theme is:

When a painter faces a blank canvas or a sculptor picks up a chisel and confronts a mute block of stone, where do they look for inspiration to guide their hands and turn their efforts into art? The Muse, the 2009 Pageant of the Masters, will devote its uniquely theatrical celebration of the art of tableaux vivants - "living pictures" - to an exploration of the nature of artistic inspiration. For some it is a sacred calling, for others a deeply personal quest. For Paul Gauguin, a journey to the South Seas provided his work with a vibrant new direction; for Maxfield Parrish, the discovery of an ideal model became a key to many of his dreamlike paintings; for American sculptor Anna Hyatt Huntington, an abiding love for animals anchored her heroic visions. Huntington's work will be featured as part of another highlight: a special tribute to some of the world's great women artists. In every case, the stories of artists, their models and the resulting artworks will offer fascinating insights into the creative process. Playful and provocative, the 2009 Pageant promises another "inspired" summer of artistry.

Find out more about this season's Pageant Program.

Find out more about this season's Gala.