Heather Ainsley
ECB Publishing, Inc.
Mark your calendars, Monticello! The Jefferson Arts Gallery will be hosting their Annual Fine Crafts and Art Festival on Saturday, Oct. 22, from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Festivities will be held in the field in front of the gallery, located at 575 W. Washington St. in Monticello. This event will be an excellent opportunity to enjoy some wonderful food vendors while admiring the work of many local artists and crafters. Many items will be available for purchase by art vendors.
Art is an important part of our day-to-day society. Just about every aspect of our daily lives has been touched by the careful contemplations of a creative mind, whether it is the glass we use to drink our morning orange juice, the pattern printed on our sweater that we grab on the way out the door, or even the billboards we pass on the way to work. Art is hidden in every single facet of our modern world, and even though it can be functional, true art doesn't have to be. In truth, some art exists only for the purpose of being looked at, and has high value doing just that. Other forms of art are enjoyed for the quality of their makeup; items that are unique and creatively made that can be expressive or functional. Art and crafted items can be bought from big-box stores, but these are often not individual or unique pieces in the slightest, belonging to huge mass productions of identical products that are intended to be sold cheaply in great bulk to the general public.
Local art and craft festivals are excellent ways to connect with local creatives and find truly unique items that have been hand-crafted in your area. These items are often original creations and are created with painstaking care, diligence and talent that simply cannot be found at your neighborhood Walmart. When you purchase a piece from an artist, you're supporting local individuals and helping to fund a small business. One $50 sale for Walmart or Dollar General is just another drop in an already full bucket, but for a small-town artist, a single purchase can make it possible for them to continue their craft, buy new supplies or keep their business open. You can help support the passions of the creative individuals who live in your own hometown.
Buying from a local craftsman can also give you a unique experience to go with your new item; local artists are often talented and expressive people who are likely to share a story or two of their own experiences with you if you ask them. You can look back on this real life encounter every time you look at your new painting, or drink from your new mug. Beyond just a story, you'll make a connection, and can even call upon that connection if the future if you are looking for a unique and meaningful gift for someone.
The following are the local Monticello/ Jefferson County artists exhibiting so far at the Jefferson Arts Gallery Fine Crafts and Arts Festival:
Lisa Starling- pottery and paintings
Cheryl, Ed and John Gifford- etchings, paintings, woodworking, jewelry boxes, cutting boards, furniture, wirewrap jewelry
Steve Isbell of Driftwood Designs- cigar box guitars and steampunk art from driftwood
Vickie Gallina- quilts
Deborah Draina- wooden Christmas trees
and decorations
Patty Gadomski of Clay Cottage Pottery
Jessie Beck- handmade polymer clay charms
Susan Hopkins- watercolors, oils
and acrylics of nature
Kimberly Walker-Farmhouse décor,
bookcases and signs
Marily Youtzy-stained glass chess board set, pillows, pottery and wood carvings
Heather Ainsley with Art Enchanted- wood-burnings, watercolor and acrylic paintings, cards, and seasonal home décor.
Additional vendor space is available, but is limited. To reserve a space, or check availability, call the gallery at (850) 997-3311. This event is free to the public! Handicapped parking is located at the back of the building. Other parking can be found in front of the DMV building next door.
Jefferson Arts Gallery is located at 575 W. Washington St (Hw 90) in Monticello. Regular gallery hours are Wednesdays and Saturday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. You may also call (850) 997-3311 during those hours to schedule a personal tour. The October gallery will feature "Mark Fletcher: Out of the Woods," with paintings, drawings and illustrated poetry. Admission to the exhibit is free.
Art fairs and festivals, aside from giving you an excellent opportunity to connect with real, local artists, are a wonderful way to enjoy some time outside. With autumn gently creeping in, October will bring with it cool weather, and gorgeous leaves, and what better time is there to spend a day outside browsing some unique and amazing craft booths? Come out, enjoy a beautiful fall day, support some local artists and maybe get a head start on that holiday season shopping list!