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In our annual series spotlighting the annual Ellwood City Arts, Crafts, Food & Entertainment Festival, we look at a series of subjects, people, and entertainers who will help the festival make its mark this 4th of July holiday season.
PART TWO: Ellwood City Arts, Crafts, Food & Entertainment Festival Series: Art Show Expands with Strolling Musicians, Performers
A masterpiece in process.
That might be a good way to describe the new wave of The Festival’s Art Show.
Near extinction just two years ago, the Art Show has a new “Council” in place to keep it growing and thriving as this year it’s in a recovery and building phase.
“We got it back,” said Art Show Council Member Richard DiGia. “It was on its death bed.”
Not only did they get it back, the Council has managed to make some additions that are sure to be crowd pleasers. There will be a Juried Art Show, located in Trefoil Lodge daily from Noon to 8 p.m.; there will also be an increase in the amount of art show demonstrators; a Meet and Greet with the Featured Artist, Susan Dexter; Strolling Musicians; and Strolling performer, Susan Dexter.
There will also be free giveaways including a $50 Giant Eagle gift certificate, kindly donated by Divine Grace Parish, Holy Redeemer SAG Special Activities Group and an original painting by Susan Dexter the featured artist. Registration for the giveaways will be located in Trefoil Lodge.
DiGia said rather than having an art committee, the volunteers decided to try a different approach.
“We are a council of arts, a council of co-visionaries. There are five of us. Every opinion and idea is accepted. We’ve found a positive way of doing things.”
The Council is comprised of:
- Lydia Mansur-Who came through with perspective of being part of the Ellwood City Art Club
- Nicole Vitale-Who came up with the idea for the Strolling Musicians
- Susan Dexter-Featured Artist and Strolling Performer
- Zach Brandes-A 2024 Hall of Fame Nominee who has been with festival for 40 years
- And DiGia-A 60-year local artist who teaches art at the Hoyt
“We are open to new council members. If you have a good idea and you want to help promote the art show and help others, we welcome you,” DiGia said.
He said that because the Art Show didn’t have any funding, there had to be an entry fee this year for the Juried Show artwork, something he hopes will be able to be eliminated in the future.
“We had to raise money, so this year there is entry fee to enter art into the show. We hope to get enough donations and sponsors to hopefully eliviate the burden. Next year going to focus on lowering entry fee, bringing back awards.”
Some highlights of the Art Show include:
- Meet and Greet- Stop in Trefoil Lodge and meet with featured artist Susan Dexter on Friday, June 28, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Refreshments will be served. Dexter is a talented artist finding inspiration in many mediums and creating winning pieces. She has exhibited at many Pennsylvania and Ohio venues including the Trumbull Art Guild (Warren, OH), the Nissen Gallery (Warren, OH), the Bottlebrush Gallery (Harmony, PA), the Hoyt Institute of Fine Arts (New Castle, PA), the Ellwood City Arts & Crafts Fine Art Show (Ellwood City, PA), the New Wilmington Heritage Fine Arts Show (New Wilmington, PA), the Pittsburgh Area Science Fiction Convention (Confluence) Art Show, the Canfield Fair Fine Art Show (Mahoning County Fair, Ohio), the Buhl Day Art Show (Sharon PA), the Valley Arts Guild (Sharon, PA), the World Fantasy Convention Art Show, Inspired by Nature Show (Villa Maria, PA) many a Northwest PA Arabian Horse Show, and many craft shows.
- Strolling Performer- Dexter will also serve as a Strolling Performer during varying times of the Festival. She will be making yarn on a Scottish Spindle.
- Strolling Musicians- Saturday, June 29 from 4 to 5 p.m.-Vinny Millone on guitar. Sunday, June 30 from Noon to 2 p.m.-Zia Campbell on flute; Ashley DeVincentis on sax Brooke Dehaven on clarinet; Richard Migliorisi on clarinet and oboe.
- Art Show Demonstrators- Please see schedule below.
“This is for local area artists to show what they can do. There was a lot of great art last year you might not think that for this area, but it truly was great,” DiGia said.
To learn more about the Festival, check out the Festival Tabloid, the Art Show details are featured on Page 9.
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