Longstanding Event Celebrates 55th Year
The 55th Annual Gazebo Art Festival, a juried event held each year in Macomb's Chandler Park, will be held Sept. 12, with artists from near and far taking part.
The festival, which will be held from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., will showcase the talents of central Illinois artists in a variety of media, including metal jewelry, graphite drawing, ceramics, woodworking, painting, photography, fractal art, woven and hand-dyed textiles and more. Complimenting the beautiful art work available for purchase, there will also be numerous demonstrations and hands-on activities throughout the day.
The festival will again feature a Children’s Activity Area from 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Natalie Shelly, Macomb Park District ceramics coordinator and Lakeview naturalist educator, will lead a collaborative group sculpture project for all ages between 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Also, during that time, Western Illinois University Art Professor Ian Shelly will be throwing and shaping clay on the pottery wheel. In addition, kids are welcome to participate in a hands-on painting activity provided by the Macomb Middle School and Macomb High School Thespian Clubs; and Tina Browder returns with her face-painting designs from 9 a.m.-noon and 1-2 p.m.
Throughout the day, the Macomb Fiber Arts Guild will demonstrate yarn spinning, weaving, knitting, embroidery and fiber-preparation and blending for spinning. Art festival visitors will have the opportunity to try their hand at some fiber arts including making woven ornaments; imprinting plant materials onto fabric or paper using the time-honored Japanese art of hapazome; and putting their finger dexterity to the test with the fascinating technique of Peruvian finger weaving. If all that isn't enough, there will be beautiful (and adorable) French Angora rabbits to 'oooh' and 'ahhh' over.
Demonstrations by the WIU Department of Art faculty and students will be going on throughout the day, with each demo lasting 30-45 minutes. Such techniques include ascyanotype, screen printing and jewelry metalsmithing, followed by an interactive activity with WIU Art Education students assisting children with screen printing their own compostable post card. All activities are open free to the public.
Cousin’s Maine Lobster and Paddy’s Patties will be set up with their delicious food options for sale, and the Friends of the Library will host their ever-popular book sale.
Follow the Gazebo Art Festival Macomb on Facebook to stay up-to-date on this year's event and see photos of work from the participating artists.
