Superb weather draws big Artsplash crowd
By Travis Coleman Journal Staff Writer | Posted: Sunday, September 02, 2007
Rain, rain gone away.
The weather problems that plagued last year's Artsplash Festival of the Arts weren't a worry Saturday, as an estimated 30,000 people were expected to come to the Anderson Dance Pavillion for the event's 105 food and art booths and children activities.
"This is true, one of a kind collectable art. They almost always like to look at it," said Michelle Tedrow, coordinator for the event's 400 volunteers.
It took Robert Hayden, of Sioux City, about two years to get cozy enough to buy items from the festival. On Saturday, Hayden let loose and spent a few hundred dollars on some art to fill up space on his walls.
"I like the wild stuff -- the nature ... the simpler stuff," Hayden said.
Saturday was Lu Fuller's second Artsplash, another opportunity to hawk her watercolor portraits of life outside her Kentucky home. She didn't do well last year because of the rainy weather, so she drove 15 hours from Maysville, Ky., again for the event. The former Hallmark greeting card artist travels to about 33 art shows a year. Artsplash could become a regular stop for her -- if she sells enough art.
"The show is run superbly. This is really professionally done," Fuller said. "That makes me want to come back, too."
For those who can't come to her Maysville Farm, she wants to bring them a slice of her life.
"And I wouldn't this many people in my yard anyway," Fuller said.
For parents like Nick Wingert from Sioux City, the event's children activities -- like the Nickelodeon Game Lab -- were a big draw. It has been a few years since he's come down but he returned Saturday to show his son a good time. It's appropriate, given this year's theme, "Celebrating Children."
Adela Gwin from Sioux City saw her two grandchildren get slimmed at the game lab and take part in other activities.
"It was fun to see them do the crafts," Gwin said.
Other activities included wildlife learning encounters, an underwater sea adventure and a train and ferris wheel for children.
One the most popular attractions Saturday was three large sand sculptures done by three local teams competing for a $500 prize. The teams -- from Iowa State University Design School, Bishop Heelan High School and Morningside College -- were seeking votes from a panel of judges and attendees, who voted with $1 children's tickets. The sculptures had to fit this year's theme.
The Iowa State squad was trying to beat the clock Saturday to create a mock sculpture of children playing in the water by Christian Petersen, an artist who has made several pieces for the school. Their opponents had already shaped works featuring "Spongebob Squarepants" characters and a snowman, respectively.
The teams were able to get their dirty river sand to stick with Aqua Net hair spray and water, said Brian Walker, team member. The winner is set to be announced today on the main stage.
"I've never sand sculpted before. It worked out a lot nicer than I thought it would," Walker said.
Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
11:30 a.m. -- The Travelin' Max Show
Noon -- Comedy hypnotist Mike "hypnomike" Bishop
1 p.m. -- David Jones and his orchestra
2 p.m. -- The Lamb School of Theatre, Music and Art and Lamb Theatre present hits from "High School Musical," "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown," "Annie" and "Wizard of Oz."
3 p.m. -- Comedy hypnotist Mike "hypnomike" Bishop
4 p.m. -- David Jones and his orchestra
Strolling entertainers: The Amazing Arthur, Poppin' Penelope and the Brothers Grimm
Parking and shuttle buses
Free parking is available at the Tyson Events Center. Shuttle buses will run from the Tyson Events Center to the ArtSplash festival grounds from 9 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Sunday.
The weather problems that plagued last year's Artsplash Festival of the Arts weren't a worry Saturday, as an estimated 30,000 people were expected to come to the Anderson Dance Pavillion for the event's 105 food and art booths and children activities.
"This is true, one of a kind collectable art. They almost always like to look at it," said Michelle Tedrow, coordinator for the event's 400 volunteers.
It took Robert Hayden, of Sioux City, about two years to get cozy enough to buy items from the festival. On Saturday, Hayden let loose and spent a few hundred dollars on some art to fill up space on his walls.
"I like the wild stuff -- the nature ... the simpler stuff," Hayden said.
Saturday was Lu Fuller's second Artsplash, another opportunity to hawk her watercolor portraits of life outside her Kentucky home. She didn't do well last year because of the rainy weather, so she drove 15 hours from Maysville, Ky., again for the event. The former Hallmark greeting card artist travels to about 33 art shows a year. Artsplash could become a regular stop for her -- if she sells enough art.
"The show is run superbly. This is really professionally done," Fuller said. "That makes me want to come back, too."
For those who can't come to her Maysville Farm, she wants to bring them a slice of her life.
"And I wouldn't this many people in my yard anyway," Fuller said.
For parents like Nick Wingert from Sioux City, the event's children activities -- like the Nickelodeon Game Lab -- were a big draw. It has been a few years since he's come down but he returned Saturday to show his son a good time. It's appropriate, given this year's theme, "Celebrating Children."
Adela Gwin from Sioux City saw her two grandchildren get slimmed at the game lab and take part in other activities.
"It was fun to see them do the crafts," Gwin said.
Other activities included wildlife learning encounters, an underwater sea adventure and a train and ferris wheel for children.
One the most popular attractions Saturday was three large sand sculptures done by three local teams competing for a $500 prize. The teams -- from Iowa State University Design School, Bishop Heelan High School and Morningside College -- were seeking votes from a panel of judges and attendees, who voted with $1 children's tickets. The sculptures had to fit this year's theme.
The Iowa State squad was trying to beat the clock Saturday to create a mock sculpture of children playing in the water by Christian Petersen, an artist who has made several pieces for the school. Their opponents had already shaped works featuring "Spongebob Squarepants" characters and a snowman, respectively.
The teams were able to get their dirty river sand to stick with Aqua Net hair spray and water, said Brian Walker, team member. The winner is set to be announced today on the main stage.
"I've never sand sculpted before. It worked out a lot nicer than I thought it would," Walker said.
Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
11:30 a.m. -- The Travelin' Max Show
Noon -- Comedy hypnotist Mike "hypnomike" Bishop
1 p.m. -- David Jones and his orchestra
2 p.m. -- The Lamb School of Theatre, Music and Art and Lamb Theatre present hits from "High School Musical," "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown," "Annie" and "Wizard of Oz."
3 p.m. -- Comedy hypnotist Mike "hypnomike" Bishop
4 p.m. -- David Jones and his orchestra
Strolling entertainers: The Amazing Arthur, Poppin' Penelope and the Brothers Grimm
Parking and shuttle buses
Free parking is available at the Tyson Events Center. Shuttle buses will run from the Tyson Events Center to the ArtSplash festival grounds from 9 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Sunday.
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Ronnie wrote on Sep 20, 2007 9:26 PM:
Dad wrote on Sep 2, 2007 11:14 PM:
Dad & kids had fun wrote on Sep 2, 2007 11:12 PM:
just grandma wrote on Sep 2, 2007 3:27 PM:
parent wrote on Sep 2, 2007 12:32 PM: