The 47th annual Shawano County Arts and Crafts Fair at Mielke Park on Sunday will have some new additions as well as the always popular vendors from previous years.
The fair is one of the longest running outdoor shows in the area that still gives out prizes to the vendors.
“They love the park and being outdoors,” said Cheryl Folkerts, art fair director.
She is expecting around 60 vendors, including last year’s winners, Marilyn Ness, of White Lake, and her sister, Kathy Yaeger, of Appleton, who make bird feeders out of teapots and other kitchen items.
“It was fantastic,” Ness said of winning Best of Show last year.
The sisters will have 50 to 65 bird feeders at this year’s fair. Ness said they sold feeders to people as far away as Alaska, Florida and California. Folkerts said people even called about them after the fair.
Of special interest this year will be acrylic painter Steve Wysocki, who will demonstrate his plein air style of art, painting and finishing his works while you watch. Plein air is a French expression meaning in the open to describe painting outdoors.
Most local painters will exhibit their works in the theater lobby, where there will also be a silent auction. Artists from cities in Wisconsin and Michigan also will show their work.
The event also attracts jewelers, sculptors, photographers, woodcarvers, weavers, quilters and varied artists.
“Art has grown into a wide variety of skillfully done multimedia,” Folkerts said.
Sally’s Catering again will be selling food, and, for the second year, Denise Fritter will make several varieties of cheesecakes, a popular item last year.
“She wanted to help, and we needed another money maker,” Folkerts said. “People would come back two or three times.”
The fair is sponsored by the Shawano County Arts Council. All the profits go to activities at the Mielke Arts Center.
For information, visit shawanoarts.com or call 715-745-6222.
