Art Fest, presented by the Alliance of Visual Artists, is no typical art show. As its name suggests, it is more a celebration of food, music and art.

Hundreds of local artists who work in all media--including watercolors, oils, acrylics, pastels, drawing, calligraphy, mixed media, printmaking, fiber arts, silk painting, ceramics and sculpture--show off their works in the lush, sculptured gardens of the museum. Much of the artwork is for sale at affordable prices. Ten percent of the proceeds will be donated by the artists to the Triton to help the museum acquire works by local artists.

Drawings for prizes of fine art and a variety of art demonstrations will be held on both days, and music and food will add to the event's festival-like atmosphere.

Yoju, a Saratoga artist who has been invited to participate in the Art Fest nearly every year since it began, works in a unique blend of Oriental and Western style with eclectic combinations of China ink, gouache, suminagashi, pastel, pencil, crayon and collage to create art in bold, striking colors and whimsical form. Examples of her subject matter include landscapes, abstractions, still-lifes, celestial objects, Buddhist images and human and animal forms.

"I find interesting meaning in ordinary subjects," Yoju says. "For instance, I find it beautiful and meaningful to paint even a small stone. My outlook is always changing and I am ever looking for new things to observe and express."

Yoju came to Saratoga from Tokyo, Japan, in 1988. She often works at Aegis Gallery in Saratoga.

Margaret Garcia, Judy Heintz, Judith Klock, Sharon Lips, Anastasia Saltabida and Christy Tsai are other Saratoga artists participating in this year's Art Fest at the Triton.

So, for those who have been trying to find a way to support local art, here's an excellent chance--and the music, delicious food and lush surroundings certainly make it an attractive one.

For more information, visit www.avartfest.org or call Bruce Battey, the event's chairman, at 408.257.2687.