CHICO -- in October 2005, Artoberfest made its debut in a small, significant way. The idea behind the collaborative marketing campaign was to highlight arts & culture organizations, events, and performances. It grew from 85 events that first year to nearly 130 events last October.

"I think it really helps to have your publication (The Artoberfest Guide) out, to have our university things listed, to connect town and gown as much as possible," writes Thomasin Saxe, Director of Special Projects at CSUC.

"At the 1078 Gallery, I was involved with the Glass Fest and some other events, but most especially the Ira Latour show, which had its opening reception October 4th in conjunction with First Saturday and Artoberfest. Both the Latour and Glass Fest receptions were FABULOUSLY attended and felt wonderful.

"Both brought in all kinds of new faces to the gallery and some new memberships (the thing the 1078 ALWAYS wants/needs/survives upon)," she concludes.

Jana Lawton with Chico Open Studios Tour and the Art House wrote, " ... I happened to be a docent at the Art Center on a Sunday morning (October 5) when two travel writers from Reno visited. I don't think they had any particular reason to tell me this but they indicated they were very favorably impressed with the Art center, the coffee car and the general quality of the work displayed in the gallery.

"From their conversation, they were most interested int he 'arts' part of ars and culture and throught that Chico had a lot to commend it. Sounds as if we can look forward to some good press from them for future Artoberfests."

Lawton said as artists who had a listing in the Artoberfest Guide under the Art House, "We had visitors to our sculpture garden and studios for all of the events we offered. A number of the people showed up with the Guide in hand, or made mention of it, and were specifically interested in the particular demonstration of the day. We felt it (The Guide) was a real boon for us."

Margo Graham, innkeeper/owner of the Goodman House, said, "We had about 100 people come to (The Art of Afternoon Tea) over the four Sundays ... it was good exposure because most of the 'teagoers' were local and had never been in the B&B (many didn't even know about us). Almost all reservations came because of the Artoberfest Guide listing."