During the Washington Fine Arts Festival from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, nearly 50 Washington and Central Illinois artists’ work will be on display on or near the square.

Some of the local artists participating in the event include Jo Ann Bell, Pam Miller, Katie Beasley, Dennis Belcher and Cindy Byrum.
Bell worked in retail advertising for more then 10 years after attending The American Academy of Art in Chicago.

When she retired to become a full-time mom, she took up watercolor painting, entering many shows and receiving several awards.

Bell recently won first place in the 44th annual Rennick Art competition.

Miller has been painting for 20 years and has been sharing her love of art by teaching, designing and selling pattern packets for painters.

Miller also enjoys teaching, creating and selling jewelry made of polymer clay.

Beasley, a painter and freelance graphic artist, specializes in large abstract oil paintings, detail pencil drawings and photography.
Belcher has been working in wood from his earliest years.

In 2004, he attended the Syamore Institute where Belcher learned to make a continuous arm Windsor chair.

Byrum, who works in the mental health field, takes photographs in her free time.

Starting at the age of 10, Byrum continued developing her photography skills, but did not pursue it full time until several years later.

“Mother Nature is a true gift which I try to capture in my work,” Byrum said.

Marti Millington of East Peoria had a painting chosen for the Top 100 in Paint America’s 2007 National Competition.

Millington also donates paintings to local causes such as WTVP.
“I paint wildlife because I love nature, and through my paintings I want to be an advocate for wildlife and the natural world,” Millington said. “My objective is that others will become more appreciative of the treasures we have.”

Barry Miller of Dunlap is a physician and an associate professor at the University of Illinois College of Medicine. Miller spends his leisure time painting historic Americans.

Adrienne Risby of Peoria is a portrait artist working in pencil and charcoal.

Risby also does watercolor and commissioned work.

“The purpose of the Washington Fine Arts Society is to foster creativity and art excellence in ourselves and in our work,” states the beginning of the society’s mission statement.

Besides fostering creativity, the society’s mission statement says another goal is to provide exhibition space to new emerging talent, as well as established artists; and to provide programs and activities that encourage public awareness, participation and appreciation of the visual arts for individuals of all ages.”

Marilyn Gee, a member of the Washington Fine Art Society which is sponsoring the event, said the mission statement explains why the members decided to have an art festival.

“Greg Wilson, my co-chair for the art society, was in the Washington Chamber of Commerce and found out they did not have an August event scheduled,” Gee said. “That conversation led to the suggestion that the art society host an August event.”

Entertainment
Gee said Howard Family and Friends Blue Grass Gospel will perform from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Saturday.

Throughout the day, the following bands will perform: the Washington Community High School jazz combo at 10:30 a.m.; Lucas Doremus at noon; McNamara & Neeley at 1:45 p.m.; and the high school jazz combo at 3:30 p.m.

Lucas Doremus will perform at 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. Sunday, along with a 2 p.m. performance by the high school jazz combo.

Live music on the square will continue from 6 to 9 p.m.
Members of the Citizen’s Police Academy will sell hot dogs, hamburgers and lemon shake-ups from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Saturday and from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Money raised by the academy members will be used to purchase a canine for the Washington Police Department.

A wine tasting/artists’ reception will run from 6 to 9 p.m. at Denhart’s Washington Room.

Tickets for the tasting/reception are $7 and are available at Kimpling Ace Hardware, the Washington Chamber of Commerce, through a society member or at the door.

During the tasting/reception, two drawings for Eastlight Theatre tickets will also be held.

Things to do
A children’s area will be set up on the square for children to make their own masterpiece during the two-day event.

Children can also participate in creating a sidewalk mural.

Residents who attend the event on Saturday will have the chance to vote for their favorite artist, with the winner being announced that evening at the artists’ reception.

Besides the public, three professional artists will select a winner for the best two-dimensional work and the best three-dimensional work.

Washington Fine Arts Society members’ work will be exhibited in the new art gallery, called “Venue.”

Owners Tiffani Wyse-Fisher and Stephanie Scott opened the gallery above Woods Photography, in the previous Paper Moon location on the square.

Artwork at the “Venue” will remain on display until Sept. 8.
Leading up to the art festival, is a 7 p.m. pre-release book signing Friday at THE BLEND with local authors, Debbi Migit and Jen Miller.

Migit and Miller will also participate in the festival with a book signing booth on the square.

Migit will sign copies of her book, “Child of Promise,” and Miller will sign copies of “Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep: The Story of Sara.”

The books are scheduled for release Aug. 24 and Aug. 26, which kicks off a nationwide book tour.

Washington Fine Arts Festival T-shirts are now available for purchase at Kate Marie Artistry on the Square, which include embellishments by some of the Washington Fine Arts Society members, making each a one-of-a-kind.

Shirts will be sold pre-Festival and throughout the festival for $10.
“I was excited to hear about the Washington Fine Arts Festival because, locally, there are few opportunities for exposure for local artists and some may be cost prohibitive for emerging artists,” Millington said.

“It offers an opportunity for local artisans to display and sell their work, while at the same time, it gives the public the opportunity to see a variety of fine art — all in one place, all in one weekend.”

Gee said she is thrilled with the response and support the Washington Fine Arts Society has received for the festival.