Village Art Club

In the 1950's. the Bella Vista Resort was the home of the Bella Vista Fine Arts Club. In 1967, the Village Art Club was organized with 22 members and by 1969, their membership had grown to 52 members.

In 1969, this small group of 52 members took on the tremendous task of producing the first Bella Vista Arts & Crafts Festival. With the encouragement of Mr. John Cooper, Sr., and Mr. Ed Groblebe, Bella Vista Recreational Director, they proceeded. After all expenses were paid, they had made $12.00. This did not deter this small ambitious group and the 1970 Festival was in the works. The first Festivals were held at a recreational building at Hill & Dale and the pastures between stables and a campground & RV Park.

THe Bella Vista Arts & Crafts Festival is unique as it is sponsored by the non-profit Village Art Club. Funds from the Festivalare used for scholarships to promising artists, for continuing education, workshops and classes for all artisans, and to support the Wishing Spring Gallery where artisans can display and sell their works.

In 1973, the Festival was moved to Blowing Springs Park- a small and beautiful park by the river. But, having outgrown the Park, today's Festival location sits among a beautiful tree surrounded, park-like setting in Bella VIsta. The land has been generously loaned for our use by the Coolper Land Management Company.

The Festival has grown to become the PREMIER festival in the area and now includes almost 300 exhibitiors - all showing their hand-made work. Some 30,000 visitors come to the festival - always sure that they will find the highest quality arts and crafts! No imported or manufactured goods are allowed.

The Festival is also known as the "friendliest" festival in the US - our staff will do just about anything to make the show better for our exhibitors and our visitors.

Stop in and visit beautiful Bella Vista - but beware - many who visit, end up living in this beautiful city!

While you're in Bella Vista, visit the Wishing Spring Gallery and see the artisans work of the Village Art Club.