Every year, the Cherry Creek Arts Festival introduces new programs and features to add to its annual world-class and award-winning celebration of the visual, culinary and performing arts . This year is no exception, with a number of new programs and features.

New Exhibiting Artists 

This year's Festival features 100 artists who have never before exhibited and over 100 who exhibited in 2011, providing patrons with familiarity and continuity as well as an edgier experience as compared to previous festivals. The combination of all the artists creates a balanced show with a slightly contemporary edge, featuring more abstract art than in past years. The 245 exhibiting artists were selected through a blind-jury process from over 2,000 applicants, based on artistic excellence in original, handcrafted work, making the Festival one of the most competitive art shows in the nation.

Public Art Cherry Creek 

Cherry Creek Arts Festival donated a public sculpture, "Tower of Man" by Colorado artist, Bill Starke to Cherry Creek North to recognize the district for providing over 20 years of support to the Arts Festival. Patrons are able to view the sculpture during the Festival, on Steele Street between 2nd and 3rd Avenues.  

GreenUp Cherry Arts 

Cherry Creek Arts Festival, in collaboration with ZeroHero, Inc., will launch GreenUp Cherry Arts, a long-term program with a goal to work toward Zero Waste and educate the public about responsibly disposing of trash at the site of the Festival. This includes recycling, composting and proactively preventing unnecessary waste by working with vendors, community partners and Festival attendees to encourage sustainable approaches. CCAF plans to create a model for best sustainability practices for all large national arts festivals.

Guidebook  

Patrons can now easily access all information about the Festival, including membership, visual artists, performing artists, culinary artists and vendors, kids' activities, maps, area information, sponsors, etc. on their smartphones through Guidebook, a free app that can be downloaded by scanning the QR  code here.

Delightfully Peculiar Oasis by Hendrick's Gin 

Patrons will be able to sample a variety of gin cocktails prepared by a mixologist at this all-new and exciting feature. Hendrick's botanical signature consists of flowers, roots, fruits and seeds from the world over. They function to complement and set the stage for a delicious duet of infusions: rose petal and cucumber. 

Bellco Cool Zones

Bellco will return as Associate Sponsor of the Festival.  Known for creative ways to enhance guest experiences at sponsored events, the sponsor presents the Bellco Cool Zone, misting stations throughout the Festival footprint to cool attendees. As the Official Financial Institution of the Cherry Creek Arts Festival, Bellco is sponsoring the Festival to underscore its support of the Denver area and celebrate the opening of its new branch on Milwaukee between Second and Third Avenues in Cherry Creek North.