For over 30 years, Norfolk’s Hope House transforms the historic Ghent neighborhood twice a year (in May and October) into the Stockley Gardens Arts Festival, a free, family-friendly event that draws more than 30,000 visitors.
Visitors will converge on Ghent October 19-20 to browse through jewelry, pottery, paintings, and other works of art by over 130 artists. Funds raised at this event support the work of the Hope House Foundation and pays for rent, transportation, food, furnishings, unmet medical care, and more for people with intellectual disabilities.
Each year, a nationally recognized artist or curator judges the artists, who compete for cash prizes. There are special exhibits and prizes for emerging student artist. Award winners are announced during the Artists’ Reception, which is held Saturday evening on the Main Stage. The Stockley Gardens Arts Festival has been voted one of the top two art festivals in eastern Virginia by Virginia Living Magazine readers five years in a row.
Below is a schedule of events for this weekend’s event.
Kids’ Activities
All activities listed below take place at the Children’s Stage, which is in the middle of the park (B Block), near the center circle.
Saturday, October 19th
- 10:00am-5:00pm: Bobby the Clown (Face Painting, Balloon Animals, & Magic Show)
- 1:00pm-2:00pm: Carrie’s Hula Hoops
- 3:00pm-4:00pm: STAHR’s Strings
- 4:00pm-5:00pm: C-Shells Music for Kids
Sunday, October 20th
- Noon-5:00pm: Bobby the Clown (Face Painting, Balloon Animals, & Magic Show)
- 3:00pm-4:00pm: Carrie’s Hula Hoops
- 4:00pm-5:00pm: C-Shells Music for Kids
Live Music
All musical acts listed below perform on the Main Stage, at the top of the park (A Block) near Olney Road.
Saturday, October 19th:
- 11:00am-11:30am: Esoteric Ramblers
- 11:45am-12:30pm: Lena Klett
- 12:45pm-1:30pm: House of Cards Band
- 2:00pm-3:00pm: Michael Paul Lawson
- 3:30pm-4:30pm: Mosquito Cabaret
- 5:00pm-7:00pm: The Heart Stompers
Sunday, October 20th:
- 12:00pm-12:30pm: Regina Scott Sanford
- 12:45pm-1:30pm: Saint Juliens Creek Revival
- 1:45pm-3:00pm: Dustin Furlow
- 3:30pm-5:00pm: Brackish Water Jamboree
