The Sun Valley Center for the Arts celebrated 40 years of offering fine arts and crafts last weekend with a cake and a party during a free concert on Friday evening. While renowned jazz guitarist John Jorgenson and his Quintet took a break, Kathryn McNeal, the center's program director and director of the Sun Valley Center Arts and Crafts Festival, cut the cake to share with about 200 audience members.
It was fitting tribute, both communal and sweet. The festival actually began before the non-profit arts organization's official creation in 1971.
The 2008 festival was well attended. About 11,000 people visited Atkinson Park in west Ketchum. It was the second year the festival was held at the location. Along with 130 artists' booths, a great variety of music was offered each day. As well, there were a children's arts and crafts center, daily puppet shows and local food-and-refreshment booths.
As usual by Sunday, plenty of women wore hats by Diane Harty from Colorado and new jewelry by Kary Kjesbo of Ketchum.
"I had a great show," said Hailey-based painter Melissa Graces Brown. "It was terrific. We're crazy about the new venue and always honored to be a part of it. I was hoarse by Sunday night."
Jewelry designer Sasha Samuels of Portland, Ore., won the Best of Show. Other winners in categories include Carol Lebreton for ceramics, Sheila Evans for drawing, Candiss Cole-Footitt and Rodger Footitt for fiber art, Charles Savoie for glasswork, Michele Friedman for jewelry, Jim Martin in metalwork and Shane Miller for mixed media. Holly Stowell won for her painting, Ray Hartl for photography, Nick Wroblewski for printmaking, Steven Olszewski for sculpture and Helga Winter for woodwork.
The people's choice award went to jeweler Alison Antelman, who also had taught a Sun Valley Center art class on chain making earlier in the week.
Shoppers enjoyed the variety of arts and crafts available over the three-day-long Sun Valley Arts & Crafts Festival held in Ketchum.
Photo by Willy Cook
