Visitors enjoy art and wine festival

Published by admin on Wed, 09/26/2018 - 10:26am

Katherine Curtis of Annex drove over to Weiser on Saturday afternoon to take in the first art and wine festival at Marbella. There were more than 50 works of art on display, along with a tasting menu of fine wines. The works of art were created by members of the Four County Art Guild. Some were for sale and others just for public display. Photo by Steve Lyon
The Four County Art Guild joined with  Marbella in Weiser for the first of what organizers hope will become an annual event.
 Saturday’s wine and art festival attracted art lovers and wine connoisseurs to Marbella to sample unique vintages on the back patio surrounded by a display of artworks created by members of the guild. 
 Many styles of art were represented, from oils to acylics to watercolors. They were placed outside on the fence, giving visitors the opportunity to sit at shaded tables and check out the art. Some artworks were for sale and others were just for display. 
 Guild member Lori Mooney said the festival was the opportunity to have fun with friends and enjoy art. The guild members look for ways to promote art whenever and where ever they can. 
 Joey Mills and Kathryn Baker stopped by to relax at one of the outside tables and check out the art on display. 
 “It was really fun to come down and see this,” Mills said. “When Weiser has something like this going on, we feel like we have to support it.”
 Baker said she liked the way the works of art were placed at eye level and easy to view. 
 “I think it is very well done. The paintings are well arranged,” she said.
 A long-time guild member and artist, she used to do oil painting but is working with textiles now. The art on display included oils, acrylics and watercolors.
 Katherine Curtis of Annex enjoyed the afternoon event as she strolled around looking at the artwork.
 “I’m so impressed with the quality of the work. There are a lot of talented artists,” she said.
 Marbella’s owner Sandy Mockwitz said her business is an arts studio and the perfect location for the wine and art festival. She is an artist that does mosaics and invited the art guild to set up the art show.
 “I appreciate art and we have so many great artists around here,” she said.
 The wine tasting consisted of four distinct wines that people would probably not otherwise try, she said.
 The art guild has a number of programs to promote art and art education in the four-county region that includes Washington, Payette and Adams counties in Idaho and Malheur County in Oregon.
 In Weiser, the guild organizes an ongoing self-guided art walking tour. Various businesses around town agree to place works of art for the public to view and purchase. Guild members change the art every two months.
 It has been a successful venture, Mooney said, for the artists and the guild. Three locations sold art last month. The artist gets paid, the business gets a percentage of the sales and so does the guild to fund its programs. 
 The art guild also works with local schools to promote the visual arts and art education. The guild provides money to buy paint and supplies and also give cash prizes to student artists.
 Another guild program that puts art in public places is the featured artist. Guild members select a local artist to have his or her artwork diplayed at Zions Bank in Weiser and the Weiser Public Library for two months. 
 The guild also has a raffle going right now for an original painting by Barbara Watkins and a framed print by Peter Mathios that was donated by Arlene Gillispie. The tickets are $1 each or six for $5. The winners will be picked at the annual fine art and crafts sale coming to the Vendome Events Center in Weiser in November. 
 The art guild and public library sponsor the popular annual pre-holiday event.
 For raffle tickets, call one of the art guild member or Sandy at 208-549-3059 or Barbara at 208-549-3758.
 The art guild meets on the first Thursday of each month in the Weiser Public Library conference room. At 11 a.m. a critique session, or mini lesson, is held for interested artists. The regular meeting begins at noon. 

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Signal American

18 E. Idaho St.
Weiser, ID 83672
PH: (208) 549-1717
FAX: (208) 549-1718
 

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