A Giant Leap
of Faith

In 1994, two artists—Linda and Geoffrey Post—stood together in a drafty horse barn in Northampton, MA, and imagined something impossible. They saw past the rustic stalls and pictured a world-class exhibition filled with live music, great food, and a creative community that valued the handmade over the mass-produced.

They called it a “giant leap of faith,” and in 1995, Paradise City Arts was born.

Coming from a generation of makers who recognized the beauty in the functional, the Posts’ mission was to showcase fine craft with the same level of respect long given to traditional fine art. They believed a masterfully forged piece of metal or a hand-woven textile deserved the same spotlight as a painting on a gallery wall. Because they were artists themselves, they built the festival with an “artist-first” philosophy: creating a space that honors the maker and fosters a magical atmosphere where artist and collector meet face-to-face.

Thirty years later, that “single small idea” has blossomed into a leading destination. Paradise City Arts has grown from those early days into a multi-award-winning festival—frequently ranked #1 in the country—drawing visitors from all fifty states. While the scale has changed, the core mission and the heart of the show remain the same.

The Next Generation

That vision is carried forward by Mariah Swanson and Elana Chernick-Kritz. Handpicked by the founders to lead Paradise City Arts, Mariah and Elana bring decades of collective experience in the art world to the festival’s helm.

As long-time colleagues and close friends, their leadership is rooted in a deep respect for the festival’s history and a passion for its future. Their mission is to preserve the soulful, “artist-first” spirit while continuing to evolve the experience for a new era. Under their stewardship, Paradise City Arts remains a living institution dedicated to:

The world of Paradise City Arts continues to grow. Whether you’ve been with us since the beginning or are discovering us for the first time, we invite you to share in the joy of creativity.