Applications are invited for the eleventh annual Driftless Area Art Festival, scheduled for September 19-20, 2015, in Soldiers Grove.
More than 600 artists who live and/or create their art within the boundaries of the Driftless Area of Southwest Wisconsin, Southeastern Minnesota, Northeast Iowa, and Northwest Illinois have been sent application forms.
Applications, due by March 15, will be juried by a panel of artists representing various media and members of the art festival committee. The 80 artists selected will be notified in early April. Late applications will be juried for inclusion on a space-available basis, and a late application fee will be charged.
Fine handmade art to be juried for the festival includes the following categories: ceramics, drawing and pastels, fiber, glass, jewelry, metalworks, mixed media, painting, photography, limited-edition prints, sculpture, and wood, including functional wares and furniture.
The Driftless Area Art Festival, to be held in the Beauford T. Anderson Park in Soldiers Grove, has grown steadily since it began in 2005. More than 5,400 art lovers attended in 2014 and artist sales topped $130,000. Live music and good food, all by performance and culinary artists from the Driftless region, add to the enjoyment for visitors and artists.
Free admission and free and convenient parking enhance the attraction of the festival for artists and patrons, and a Purchase Award Program boosts artist sales and encourages a variety of purchases. An addition, two artists win ribbons and cash prizes. The People’s Choice award is decided by votes of festivalgoers. A Committee’s Choice selection is made by a panel of art festival committee members, and recognizes the overall excellence of an exhibitor’s tent and offerings.
Driftless Area Art Festival Partners, who give significant support to the event, include People’s State Bank, Village of Soldiers Grove and the Soldiers Grove Community Development Corporation, Wisconsin Public Radio, and Community Development Alternatives, Inc
Information and application forms can be obtained from the festival website at www.DriftlessAreaArtFestival.com, by calling 637-3788 or sending an email to info@DriftlessAreaArtFestival.com
