Farmer’s Market, by Joyce Jonte
The residents of the second largest city in Humboldt County fully appreciate the quality of life this college town offers. Arcata has it all—fresh roasted organic coffees, historic architecture, a Saturday Farmers’ Market on the town square, cooperative galleries and studios, eclectic restaurants and the energy of Humboldt State University’s multi-cultural students. Arcata is also home to hundreds of artists all contributing to the quintessential art experience—even the city’s trash cans are works of art.
The Arcata Plaza, located in the center of town, serves as a venue for many of the city’s annual events, including Concerts on the Plaza, Pastels on the Plaza, the Farmers’ Market, the Arcata Bay Oyster Festival, the Kinetic Sculpture Race and the North Country Fair.
For those interested in the more cerebral side of the arts, Humboldt State University offers the opportunity to experience art in a much more academic setting. The galleries at HSU present many captivating exhibitions featuring work by students and faculty as well as international artists. The Theatre Arts department hosts many dance and theater productions including the Ten Minute Play Festival and The Humboldt Film Festival. The Music Department holds recitals by faculty and students, as well as a Concerto/Aria competition in which student performances are judged by a panel.
Humboldt State University is also home to CenterArts. This is a program which brings notable musical and cultural entertainment to Arcata and the North Coast, with world class performances in all genres of theater, arts and music.
