Midwest Salute to the Arts Aug. 25-27
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Christy, left, and Tony Bodnar, are one of many artisans set to participate in this year’s Midwest Salute to the Arts. (Photo courtesy of Midwest Salute to the Arts)
By Randy Pierce
T-T Contributor
Skilled creators of art from near and far will be present at Moody Park in Fairview Heights the weekend of August 25, 26 and 27 for a free event that will feature their works, food and drink, live entertainment and activities for children.
The 35th Midwest Salute to the Arts hosts dozens of traveling artists plus several from the St. Louis and Metro-East area who will be sharing their work for viewing and purchase while competing for cash prizes both overall and in specific categories.
Philippe Laine of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, a purveyor of fine craft, along with David Barber from Ekalaka, Montana, Luis Perez of Titusville, Florida and Christine Hartsack of Santa Ynez, California, those three all entering the Salute in the jewelry/precious metals category, are among those who make their homes great distances from Fairview Heights, exemplifying the event’s strength to attract artists from throughout the nation.
Robert Cornman from Lakeland, Florida (painting – oil, acrylic, watercolor), Philipp Bonushkin of Orlando, Florida, a clay artist, and mixed media specialist Kiaralinda Kiaralinda from Safety Harbor, Florida are three others from the Sunshine State who will be at the Midwest Salute to the Arts.
Photographer Gerome Bonner of Parker, Texas will also be one of the exhibitors. Coming from Bethel, Minnesota, Douglas Becker is entering his work into the glass category.
Planning to be part of this event from Kansas are Caitlin Penny (drawing/printmaking) of Lenexa and Diane Lawrence (fine craft) of Berryton while Larry Shafer from Lawton, Oklahoma will be bringing his pieces created from wood to the Salute.
Iowa is represented, in the sculpture category, by Jerry and Jacque Crable of Burlington and Doug Adams of Fairfield while Sean Miller of Washington and Chris Abigt of Ottumwa, both who are artists accomplished in the craft of painting, come from the same state.
A resident of the historic southwestern Indiana community of New Harmony, Tony Treadway, who works with clay, will be at the Midwest Salute to the Arts this year while others from that state include Roxanne Gabbard of English and Laurie and Gerald Wilhite of Huntingburg, all three who are jewelry/precious metals artists. Kenya Ferrand (painting – oil, acrylic, watercolor) of West Lafayette and photographer Ron Mellott of Bloomington are two more from the Hoosier State who will be present at this annual event.
As a primary sponsor of the Midwest Salute to the Arts, the City of Fairview Heights this year has offered $41,500 to help underwrite the event’s operating expenses, coming from the municipal government’s hotel-motel revenue fund, which is generally designated to promote tourism in the form of visitors to Fairview Heights, and originates from income derived from part of a room tax that is added on to the bill for each overnight stay paid for at a local lodging establishment.
For more about the Midwest Salute to the Arts and to see samples of the participants’ creations, go to www.midwestsalute.com.
