Wednesday, May 12, 2004

Thousands expected for this weekend’s art show

By LINDSAY BIANCHI
lbianchi@thecitizennews.com

The arts get their day in the sun this weekend at the 36th Annual Old Courthouse Art Show being held at the Old Fayette County Courthouse Square. 75 artists from Georgia, Alabama, Florida, North Carolina, Mississippi and Ohio will display their work with prices ranging from a few dollars to several thousand.

Watercolors, oils, pottery, weaving, jewelry, cast paper, sculpture, stained glass, photography, woodworking and metals represent the wide variety of mediums that these creative people have chosen to express themselves in. The artist’s work will be on display Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free to this non-profit event.

The Fayette Art Association, who sponsor the event, will present four scholarship awards to winning Fayette County Seniors Saturday at 2 p.m. on the Courthouse steps. Patsy Gullett, one of the coordinators for the event feels this event will show those students interested in fine art that they can make a living from a career in the art world. Seniors present portfolios to a judging committee who choose one student from each school in the Fayette area. The scholarships can range from $500 to $1,000 for each student, depending on funds.

Fayette County participants in this year’s show are: Tom Bernard, woodworking; Richard Dewalt, wood sculpture; Ed and Patsy Gullett, watercolor; Gail Littleton, acrylics; Karen Loner, jewelry; Mary Marceca, oils and acrylics; Barbara Ponzio, photography; Billie Walburn, pottery; DD Watson, acrylics; and Dave Wells, photography. Along with many other artists from the Southeast, there is sure to be something of interest for everyone.

Other weekend activities around the square include Civitan 5K Road Race, the Library book sale on Saturday, Harmony Brother’s Barbershop quartet, ECCA Hands-on children’s booth, Food vendors and Taste of Fayette at the Gazebo complex on Sunday. For more information about this event contact Debi Lenox, 770-487-5415 or Patsy Gullett, 770-461-4978

Last year, thousands of attendees sampled the wares of the participating restaurants. “Tastes” are available from .50 -$3 and may be purchased with tokens that are available at the ticket booths. Attendees will be able to taste from a variety of types of restaurants and businesses including Mexican, Italian, Caribbean, Deli sandwiches and subs, Pizza, ice cream and deserts.

Non-stop entertainment is slated for the stage at the fountain beginning at noon with Jim Lamb, guitarist and vocalist. 1-3 p.m. will showcase the Southeastern Bluegrass Assoc. and cpm The Performing Arts Studio will take the stage. The day will finish up with oldies music from 3-5pm.