MONROE, La. (KNOE 8 News) - Monroe's Downtown ArtFest has evolved into a go-to venue for aspiring artists. They're able to sell their work and interact with the people who appreciate what they do.
"It's a self portrait," explains Christie Echols of Monroe. Christies Echols doesn't consider herself an artist, but Monroe's Downtown ArtFest grew from her love of art. "Being an aspiring architect the rich architecture in the downtown is just unmatched anywhere else in this area," says Echols.
Five years ago, Christie heard that the Downtown Economic Development District was looking to add more events to that part of Monroe. Christie was one year out of college with little money, but lots of free time and energy. "So many people leave to go off after college. I want to make this a place that people want to stay when they graduate. I wanted more friends was the joke."
Christie's idea was a yearly outdoor festival for artists to showcase there craft. "The artists are the ones who live and work down there. I was hoping to help them. They've committed so much energy and time to what they're doing down there. Really it's about enhancing and continuing what they were already doing." After its start in 2008, Christie gave-up managing ArtFest in 2011. She has her hands full as a new mom.
"I want people to experience it," adds Echols. Jarrod Stokes has taken the helm. He's a graphic designer by trade - - and like Christie - an artist at heart. "When you get to see these kids rolling around in strollers and running around with their little butterfly they made it's cool to say they've experienced something they might no had normally," says Stokes.
"What's best to me about the ArtFest is that you can go down there and there's life in the streets,"adds Echols. Downtown ArtFest 2012 will be the first week of June.
