Photo courtesy of Highland Arts Council
The 12th annual Highland Arts Commission “Art in the Park” community fair featuring the work of about 70 local professional artists will be held October 10 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and October 11 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Lindendale Park in Highland, Illinois, about 30 miles east of St. Louis. Artwork will be for sale and entered into a juried competition for which a total of $10,000 cash prizes will be awarded in twelve categories: watercolor, oil/acrylic, clay, glass, drawing/pastels, fabric/fiber, wood, sculpture, photography, jewelry, graphics/printmaking and mixed media.
According to event chairperson Lynnette Schuepbach, when Art in the Park was first conceived 12 years ago, the concept was simply to bring art directly to the community of Highland. She explains, “There are just so many talented local artists, and yet the people of Highland might be hesitant to venture into St. Louis to see art. [‘Art in the Park’] brings the art to them.”
The artwork featured each year is chosen through a juried selection process based primarily on quality and creativity. Artists must have a large enough body of work to create a significant presentation at the event. Judges will also consider whether artists have found their niche – some element of craft or artistry that separates them from the rest.
Schuepach explains, “We always have a smattering of artists across all 12 categories with no more than 12 artists in the same category. This allows us to keep the fair as a variety art show, instead of just a jewelry or sculpture show, for example.”
Photo courtesy of Highland Arts Council
About 50 percent of the artists each year have decided to return for a second year, with several returning for multiple years in a row; those who want to feature their work again must re-apply through the same process.
The panel of judges for each year’s Art in the Park comprises a variety of artists, curators and art teachers. This year, it includes Michael Anderson, a designer, illustrator and artist; Kathryn Nahorski, director of the St. Louis Artist Guild; and Charity Davis Woodard, a ceramic artist.
Guests can expect to see live demonstrations from several artists featured at the event, including painters and an artist who uses a blowtorch to melt glass into beads.
This year’s Art in the Park will also feature Dueling Desserts, the “food-as-art competition,” where creative chefs and bakers make delicious desserts almost too artistic to eat. Previous years have featured cakes shaped like everything from women’s shoes to skulls to various savory foods like sushi. Guests will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite dessert by placing spare change in jars, and all proceeds will be donated to a food pantry operated by Highland Area Christian Services Ministry.
Photo courtesy of Highland Arts Council
“We try to show art from all walks of life, so food is just another outlet for creativity that we like to explore. Dueling Desserts will attract foodies who might not have come to ‘Art in the Park’ otherwise – once they’re at the event, they’ll have the chance to see and appreciate other artwork as well,” Schuepbach says.
Art in the Park is a family event, and there are two ways for children to engage directly with the art: young adults who want to make their own artwork can do one of several projects in the "Kids Kreation" area, and there will also be an art gallery exclusively for children and young adults (ages 5 to 18), including pieces of art donated by artists in the fair.
“Since children and teens can buy anything in the gallery for just $5, it gives them an opportunity to start their own art collections. This encourages them to grow into adults who are art enthusiasts, collectors or buyers,” Schuepbach says.
"Art in the Park" will take place on October 10 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and October 11 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in Lindendale Park. Admission to the event is free. To view pieces of art displayed in 2014's "Art in the Park," click here, and to see a full schedule of events, click here. For more information, please visit highlandartscouncil.org or call 618-654-3721.
