Paso Robles Festival of the Arts Announces 2012 Grand Marshal and Theme

Dee Lacey to be honored at annual fundraiser

PASO ROBLES, CA – The Paso Robles Festival of the Arts has announced the theme and Grand Marshal for the 2012 event. The Festival, now in its fourth year, celebrates a community member each year during this special fundraiser. San Luis Obispo County District 1 Supervisor Frank Mecham will oversee the day’s events as emcee and the keynote speaker is County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Julian Crocker.

Local philanthropist Dee Lacey has been chosen as the Grand Marshal and will be honored at a fundraising luncheon in February for all of her good works on behalf of Paso Robles and its surrounding communities.

"Each year we look for a Grand Marshal who represents Paso Robles art or philanthropy, and sometimes both," states Barbara Partridge, event chair. "Dee Lacey is such an amazing force for good in this county, in the state, really, that she is the perfect choice for the 2012 Festival of the Arts Grand Marshal. My concern was that she wouldn’t have time to take part, and we are grateful that she is willing to participate in the fun."

The Grand Marshal will be honored at the annual Sweet Art fundraiser on February 9th, 2012, to be held at Studios on the Park, in front of friends, family, colleagues and the public. The event is the single largest fundraising effort that funds the Paso Robles Festival of the Arts outside of sponsorships; last year it raised $14,000 toward producing the Festival. Says Dee Lacey, "I am honored to be the Festival of the Arts Grand Marshal. This event is really special for the Paso Robles community, for both adults and kids. It brings art, music and performances together in a free event that is truly magical."

The theme for the Festival of the Arts, which will be celebrated in a special exhibition during the Festival, will be announced during the Sweet Art luncheon. Organizers are excited about the possibilities for the theme, given that over 50 artists contributed to the exhibition last year. Sasha Irving said, "There are so many interesting ways to consider this year’s theme, and it fits the festival perfectly. The theme invites a broad range of interpretations, from nature to humor to food, wine, and beyond. We just can't wait to announce it and see what the artists create!"

Click here for a photo gallery from the 2011 Festival of the Arts.

If you would like to attend the Sweet Art luncheon in honor of Dee Lacey with proceeds benefiting the Paso Robles Festival of the Arts, please contact Sasha Irving at Studios on the Park by calling 805.238.9800. The event is from NOON to 3 PM on Thursday, February 9, 2012. Tickets are $48 and are tax deductible.

About the Festival of the Arts: The 2012 Paso Robles Festival of the Arts takes place on Memorial Day Weekend, May 25-27, 2012, and includes Friday Guest lectures, the Saturday Main Event and brand new for 2012, an exciting Art Collectors Tour on Sunday.

The Main Event on Saturday takes place from 10 AM to 5 PM in the Paso Robles City Park and celebrates the arts and the environment. The event features a plein-air quick-draw and auction, a fine art show & sale, interactive art seminars for adults, hands-on youth art classrooms, environmental displays & native plant talks, live music and performances, stilt walkers, and more. A portion of proceeds from art and merchandise sales goes to fund the Festival of the Arts, the Salinas River Corridor Project and Studios on the Park community art programming.