By keeping a pulse on working artists around the country, the Sun Valley Center for the Arts organizes one of the summer highlights in the Wood River Valley, the Sun Valley Center Arts & Crafts Festival.
This year, the festival will take place Aug. 13-15 in Atkinson Park in Ketchum, at the corner of Eighth Street and Second Avenue. The annual event is a great opportunity to find unusual and one-of-a-kind arts and crafts by the top artists in their field. The pieces are rarely found in stores or online.
Each year more than 20,000 visitors browse and shop the festival, which features more than 130 artists from across the country. The categories of arts and crafts include ceramics, drawing, fiber, glass, jewelry, metalwork, mixed media, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture and woodwork.
Festival Director Britt Udesen said it's more than just the art that draws the crowds.
"What makes the Sun Valley Center Arts & Crafts Festival a successful and unique event is that it appeals to adults and kids, serious art collectors and curious shoppers alike," she said. "You can learn about a new medium by asking an artist questions or watching a demonstration. You can listen to music for free all weekend long. And, kids can make free art projects they'll be proud to bring home."
Now in its 42nd year, the show is one of the top 100 juried festivals in the nation. This year, classes feature bookmaking, watercolor painting and ceramics. Kids' activities include flag books, mask-making and creating sun hats.
Hundreds of artists apply every year for the opportunity to display and sell their handmade fine arts and crafts at a wide range of price levels. Every year, brings a mix of new faces and old favorites. Last year's Best of Show Artist was fiber artist Chris Antieau, who is returning, as are other 2009 winners such as jeweler Alison Antelman, glass artists Boyd Sugiki and Lisa Zerkowitz, and printmaker C.C. Barton.
Wood River Valley artists participating in the festival include Paul Downey, Debbie Edgar Sturges and Sue Dumke.
The kids activity area is open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., with a different project each day led by a guest artist. An informal coloring project will also be offered each day. All children under the age of 8 are welcome with an adult who is ready, able and willing to help them create art. Children ages 8--12 can work on their own, but cannot leave the area unattended. Supplies are free of charge, thanks to generous donors and experienced volunteers.
The performing arts stage at the festival will showcase the vast musical talent in the Wood River Valley, from country-style folk and bluegrass to jazz and rock, plus a few acts whose music is a mix of everything.
Festival hours are 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 13, and Saturday, Aug. 14, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 15. Parking is available at the Hemingway Elementary School lot. Overflow parking is available at the Simplot lot, which is the future home of the Sun Valley Center for the Arts and site of a temporary installation by artist Patrick Dougherty. It is across from the Ketchum Post Office.
Food will be offered by local vendors. Picnics are allowed but dogs and glass containers are not. For details, visit www.sunvalleycenter.org.
Sabina Dana Plasse: splasse@mtexpress.com
The 42nd Sun Valley Center Arts & Crafts Festival will take place at Atkinson Park in Ketchum from Aug. 13-15. Photo by Willy Cook
