Stockley Gardens Arts Festival — Attraction in Norfolk

Okay, it's a local outdoor arts festival with regional artists, so don't come in the hope of finding the next Basquiat or Paloma Picasso. (You shouldn't buy art as an investment anyway.) What you will find are some not-yet- discovered gems. Standouts for me were stunning photography by Gene Pembroke & delightfully quirky collages by Richard Robins. There were a number of tents with very good handcrafted jewelry - a couple of the silversmiths displayed especially unusual & beautiful rings. I enjoyed the display of juried art by high school students - at least one was sufficiently original & well-executed that I might have bought his work as an investment after all. Of course, there was also a lot of "sofa art," schlocky watercolors, pendants to which the designer/crafter gave more effort than imagination, etc. My only quibbles with the festival itself: although there are a few small food vendors, there's nowhere to sit & eat near them (the only place to sit down was at the far end of the park, comprising a few dozen folding chairs in front of the stage for local musicians); I didn't see any porta potties; & if you don't live within walking distance, expect to park several blocks away. On the plus side, the festival is very dog-friendly. Oh, & the weather...

Excellent festival. Well put together and organized. The talent present at each annual event is off the chain. Incredible photography, painters, woodworkers, potters, jewelry makers, leather work, food vendors! The crowds can be pretty large some days depending on the weather outdoors. Pets are welcome as it is an outdoor area that pets frequent when the festival isn't going on. It is all set amongst the lovely timeless community area called Stockley Gardens! Thus the name I have heard it is one of the two greatest and most presentational art shows in VA! Check it out! I have had great experience for the last 3 years I...

I was curious about this festival. So I decided to give it a try today. I arrived kinda early some vendors were still setting up. My goal was to avoid crowds and today's heat. The artwork that I witnessed was not what I was looking for. But there was some that appealed to me. Many was very unique and colorful. Despite the fact that many pieces were extremely expensive. I left empty handed. Maybe next year I'll be sure to bring more cash in order to make a purchase. There also were a couple food vendors. Overall not...