A successful 2024 Art-a-Fest is officially in the books!
51st annual Art-a-Fest -- Charles City, IA -- August 17th
This festival fulfills an important role in the community and surrounding areas by supporting and celebrating local artists. Our goal is to make the arts accessible to all members of our community during this one-day, free event.
Each year our committee works hard to make the event a success for exhibitors and shoppers. This year, 43 artists (including 3 student artists) were set up on the lawns of Central Park, offering a variety of artwork. Kent Shankle, Director of the Waldemar A. Schmidt Art Gallery at Wartburg College, was this year's judge and awarded the following prizes:
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1st Place - Andreas Soemadi
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2nd Place - Susan Kennicott
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3rd Place - Douglas Cole
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Honorable Mentions - Lisa Glaser, Mike Hassig, Ann Bishop McGregor, Annette Oleson, Mike Leedom
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Special Award in honor of Jean Semelhack - Lori Biwer-Stewart
Participants and shoppers alike enjoyed the sounds of our performing artists James Aissen, Emily Ann Bauer, and The Love Radishes during Art-a-Fest.
Local and regional food vendors joined us in Central Park during Art-a-Fest, and Tellurian Brewing served local craft brews.
There were all kinds of free games & interactive art activities for everyone to enjoy! Sidewalk chalk was available. Volunteers helped kids make spin art, marble art, handprint art, and paint rocks in Central Park. There were also sensory bins and giant yard games!
It was a great event. We couldn't have pulled it off without our incredible sponsors, team, and volunteers- thank you all so very much!
Ann Prichard
Cora Elsbury
Danielle Clarke
David Lusk
Elissa Ellis
Hope Pickar
Jordan Schmidt
Julie Morton
Kelly Schmidt
Kris Ward
Krista Noah
Kylie Pickar
Lewis Kiewel
Mike Tracey
Olive Tracey
Owen Prichard
Paige Pickar
Par Holmberg
Robert Mulcahy
Rowyn Schmidt
Roxanne Barrigan
Sam Kiewel
Scott Blankenbaker
Scott Stroud
Sharon Bormann
Stewart Dalton
Viveinne Rafkin
...and many others who jumped in to help!