Nature Arts Festival Returns

21st annual event to include more outdoor booths than ever before

nature-featuredCome out to Geauga County for the 21st Annual Nature Arts Festival on Saturday and Sunday, August 4 and 5, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at The West Woods. There is something for everybody; for any nature lover and art lover. Geauga Park District’s Nature Arts Festival is known for every variety of fine arts on display and for sale by regional artists. Every member of the family, every friend leaves refreshed and inspired in some way.

This popular, free, indoor/outdoor festival features an entirely nature-focused juried art show; art for sale by more than 50 regional and national woodcarvers, painters, potters, jewelry-makers, and other artisans at a variety of price ranges; food catered by The Reserve House (formerly Jay Walker’s Cafe and Catering); ice cream and nuts by Nick Reiter; homemade fudge by Eleanor “The Fudge Lady” Stefancic; kettle corn by Class Kettle Corn (Linda and Lou Tarasco); all-day entertainment by the Western Reserve Artist Blacksmith Association; and free parking.

This will be a record year for the number of outdoor artist vendors,” said Teresa Runion, special events coordinator, “and it should be a nice full show with a lot of new faces and artwork. All the artists who participant every year always strive to have new inventory, but I’m happy to see new people in the mix. It’ll keep the show fresh and visitors will be eager to return. It’s also exciting for all of us behind the scenes.”

Visitors, totaling more than 2,500 last year, enjoy voting in a People’s Choice Competition and entering a raffle, sponsored by Geauga Park District Foundation, for a framed photograph of an Eastern Amberwing Dragonfly on a water lily, courtesy of last year’s winner of the Outstanding Booth/Display Award, Dean Chriss of Euclid. Raffle tickets sell for $2 or three for $5.

Demonstrations and workshops

Saturday’s visitors will see demonstrations and workshops including resin clay art by Barbara Yoxall; an interpretation of Native American culture by Eli Thomas (of the Onondaga Indians), who will utilize his own original paintings; a “make-and-take” wool applique bookmark workshop by Rebekah Smith; and a photography question and answer session with Tracy Knierim.

bird-nature-storySunday’s visitors will see demonstrations and workshops by artists in the show: a “make-and-take” copper wire and cork insect workshop by Barbara Colin; a rain barrel talk by Geauga Soil and Water Conservation staff member Gail Prunty; a “Why Do We Need Birds?” talk by photographer Mark Tiefenbach, who will utilize his own bird photography; and a pastel drawing demonstration by Barbara Yoxall.

Geauga Park District is also grateful to Valley Arts Center and Fairmount Center for Creative & Performing Arts for sponsoring afternoon art and craft activities for the kids and young at heart!

If the Nature Arts Festival is not enough to satisfy your need for good art, then be sure to visit the 32nd annual Chardon Arts Festival on Historic Chardon Square also on August 5.

This year’s Nature Arts Festival is sponsored by The News-Herald and Renewal by Andersen Windows. The West Woods, a 900-acre park with miles of hiking trails, is at 9465 Kinsman Road (Rt. 87). The festival is entirely wheelchair/stroller accessible. As needed, a free shuttle will run from ASM, the big metal dome to the east, at 9639 Kinsman Road.

Visit the “What’s New” website for a complete schedule of workshops and demonstrations and, after August 5, this year’s People’s Choice award winners. Call 440-286-9516 with questions.

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Geauga News
Author: Geauga News