Heather Ainsley
ECB Publishing, Inc.
On Saturday, Oct. 22, the field in front of the Jefferson Arts Gallery was bustling with artists and crafters alike, as they popped up their tents and set up their wares for this year's Fine Crafts and Art Festival. The brisk morning air was full of the sounds of tables clanking, tent legs clicking and cheerful greetings being exchanged as local and traveling artists filled the field, ready for a day full of displaying, and hopefully selling, their work.
The tents displayed just about every medium and style of artwork imaginable. There were paintings and framed sketches, hand-made jewelry, pottery pieces, polymer clay sculptures, photography, hand-crafted soap, yard decorations, Christmas ornaments, novelty gift ideas, gift cards, wood burnings, and so much more! Although set up started in the early, still-dark hours of the morning, it wasn't long before the sun came out and warmed up the chilly vendors, making for the perfect fall weather for the event. Live music floated along the mild breeze, as guests browsed the rows of talented artists. Just before noon, the enticing scent of BBQ wafted along through the festival, smoked fresh on site by Milly Ann's Catering. The live music was performed by a variety of performers, including Bill and Leesa Moon, Matthew Simpson, Bob Cooper, Cliff Miller and Michael Stalling.
While all the festivities were being enjoyed outside, the gallery was packed inside with guests. Some were there to enjoy the amazing poetry and art exhibit by Mark Fletcher, titled “Out of the Woods,” while others gathered around objects and obscurities with their sketchbooks for the International Sketch Crawl that was being hosted by none other than Mark Fletcher himself. During the Sketch Crawl, guests were encouraged to draw a variety of inanimate objects, including bones, leaves, seed pods, and even an old alligator skull! Those who had supplies with them were encouraged to use their own, but for those who did not have a pencil or paper with them, materials were provided inside the gallery.
The festival lasted from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. and as the crowds began to thin, some of the vendors began to visit with their artistic neighbors, buying and selling their work amongst themselves. The event was an excellent example of cooperation and community, not just within the Monticello community, but the artistic community as well. Art can be a complex and competitive field to work in, and often, artists can feel like other artists are direct competition. This makes it difficult to cultivate friendships with other creative people at times, but the Saturday festival was a wonderful collection of like-minded creators, full of support, admiration and encouragement for their creative vendor neighbors.
If you missed out on all the fun at the festival, don't worry, more fun is on the way! The Jefferson Arts Gallery invites all to join in for some holiday festivities at their Annual Holiday Show. This year's show will be called, “Blessed is the Season for Hope and Joy,” and will feature the works of Jefferson Arts Gallery members. The gallery will open for the show on Saturday, Nov. 12, and will include refreshments from 12 p.m. until 4 p.m. The gallery will be filled with holiday cheer and delightful, original gifts and ornaments, which will be on exhibit through Jan. 4, 2023.
If you'd like to become a member, contact the gallery at (850) 997-3311 or visit during regular gallery hours; Wednesdays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. The gallery is located at 575 W. Washington St.