GEAUGA PARK DISTRICT For more information, contact the park district…

July 25, 2013

GEAUGA PARK DISTRICT

For more information, contact the park district at 440-286-9516 or visit www.geauga

parkdistrict.org.

Nature Arts Festival Returns

Geauga Park Districts Nature Arts Festival is known for every variety of fine arts on display and for sale by regional artists. Every member of the family, every friend leaves refreshed and inspired in some way.

The 22nd annual Nature Arts Festival takes place Aug. 3 and 4, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at The West Woods, 9465 Kinsman Road in Russell Township.

The popular and free indoor-outdoor festival features: an entirely nature-focused juried art show; for-sale art by more than 50 regional and national woodcarvers, painters, potters, jewelry-makers and other artisans at a variety of price ranges; food for sale by The Reserve House at Little Mountain Brewing Company (opening in Mentor the fall 2013), ice cream and nuts by Nick Reiter and kettle corn by Classic Kettle Corn (Linda and Lou Tarasco); all-day entertainment by the Western Reserve Artist-Blacksmith Association; and free parking.

Visitors, totaling more than 2,000 last year despite morning rain and heat, will enjoy voting in a Peoples Choice Competition and entering a raffle, sponsored by Geauga Park District Foundation, for a signed and numbered framed hummingbird print courtesy of the 2012 Outstanding Booth/Display Award, Chandler Beatty from West Middlesex, Pa. Raffle tickets sell for $1 or six for $5.

Indicative of the popularity of the People’s Choice Competition, last year saw more than double the number of entries, up to 125 artists.

Geauga Park District is grateful to Valley Arts Center and Fairmount Center for the Arts for sponsoring afternoon art and craft activities for the kids and young at heart. A Wild Hat Workshop will be offered by Geauga Park District volunteers from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day, as well as a Chalk Art Station (weather dependent). Murray Hill Artists will be painting en plein air in the park throughout the festival, so plan to take a short walk on a trail to view masterpieces in the making.

In addition, demonstrations and make-n-take workshops will be offered by artists and local organizations throughout the weekend.

On Saturday: free Rock Painting Workshop with Jayne Guy, 10 a.m. to noon; Sgraffito Demo and Workshop with RobinAnne Ralls Payne, 11 a.m. to noon; Foundation Creation in Copper & Brass Demo with Timothy Martin, noon to 1 p.m.; Onondaga Indian Culture – Interpretation Through Original Paintings with Eli Thomas, 1-2 p.m.; The Beauty of Wire Working in Jewelry Demo with Barbara Colin, 2-3 p.m.; and Acrylic Painting Demo with Barbara Yoxall, 3-4 p.m.

On Sunday: Acrylic Painting Demo with Barbara Yoxall, 11 a.m. to noon; Foundation Creation in Copper & Brass Demo with Timothy Martin, noon to 1 p.m.; Onondaga Indian Culture – Interpretation Through Original Paintings with Eli Thomas, 1-2 p.m.; The Beauty of Wire Working in Jewelry Demo with Barbara Colin, 2-3 p.m.; and Rain Barrels 101 – Geauga Soil & Water Conservation District, Gail Prunty, 3-4 p.m.

In addition, the 33rd annual Chardon Arts Festival will be held Aug. 4 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Historic Chardon Square. The juried, outdoor show is free to attend and will host more than 100 artists, both local and out-of-state, providing a wonderful opportunity for a day of shopping and dining in a park-like setting. Sponsors are Renewal by Anderson Windows and Masters Consulting Group.

Under The Cover Of Darkness

Gather around the blazing campfire for a story or two, then journey into the darkness to experience the magical world of nature at night. Naturalist John Kolar is eager to lead participants on part three of Geauga Park District’s seasonal campfire-night hike series exploring nocturnal Geauga.

Summer Campfire & Night Hike is Aug. 2 from 8:30-10 p.m. at Headwaters Park, Boathouse Area, 13365 Old State Road in Huntsburg and Claridon townships

Registration is not required.