Who We Are
Browsing the AOFTA Exhibits
Our Organization
An Occasion For The Arts (AOFTA), founded in 1969, is an all volunteer non-profit organization that promotes visual and performing arts in the Williamsburg area through an annual exhibition.
Our Mission
By providing a venue for artists and art lovers to meet, AOFTA’s goals are to promote the expansion of the arts in the community and to encourage students to pursue careers in the arts.
Our Event
An Occasion For The Arts, the art show and music festival, is held on the first weekend of October in the Merchants Square Area of Colonial Williamsburg and on the streets of historic and downtown Williamsburg, Virginia. This event features fine artists from across the nation, a wide variety of entertainment, live demonstrations, wine tasting and other fun and exciting activities for the whole family.
An Occasion for the Arts has managed to craft an amazing artistic and musical experience,” says Jane Medlin Burton, President of the AOFTA Board of Directors. “All long-standing traditions, such as An Occasion, must embrace change in order to attract new artists and new audiences. Our Board of Directors and our partner organizations are excited and ready to tackle the challenges associated with expansion of this event as part of Arts Month in Williamsburg.
Each year’s show features an increasing number of outstanding painters, print makers, sculptors, jewelers, photographers and other artisans of fine crafts. Multiple performance venues offer a wide range of music, dance and vocal performances.
Our Partners
We are pleased to join with an ever increasing number of partners (see list and links on sidebar) who contribute to the success of our event as the culmination of Arts Month in Williamsburg!
The Youth Art Exhibit and Activities are supported by students and staff from over 24 area schools and The Junior Women’s Club of Williamsburg.
Our Funding
An Occasion For The Arts is funded through donations by local residents and businesses, artists’ fees and grants from the Williamsburg Arts Commission.
Our Contribution
Over the past five decades, the response from the community, area schools and visitors to the area has been enthusiastic. Each year, the event draws increasingly larger crowds of approximately 30,000 visitors.
An Occasion For The Arts, P.O. Box 363, Williamsburg, Virginia 23187
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