Debbie Ackerman and Kathie
Elliott are serving for the third year as art fair co-chairs. "This art fair
is respected throughout the Midwest," said Ackerman. "We draw
quality artists with the positive reputation this festival holds, as
well as the strong support of the Lincoln community."
New
artists at the 2004 Lincoln Art
Fair:
Roger Dewitt
of Gillespie works in the oil-graphite medium and has won numerous
awards in local and regional art shows. He says that he renders what
he knows best and feels most passionately about -- the disappearing
culture of the rural Midwest and small family farm life.
Tremont is the home of Anissa Sauder,
a fabric artist whose work combines color and texture to create
unique pieces of fabric artwork. She also has experience in graphic
design and jewelry.
Lincoln's own Don Shull uses
wood as his medium to craft a variety of figures and boxes. His
"character banks" are nationally recognized, and his wood choices
include cherry, sassafras, cedar, walnut and maple.

Photographer Rob Clifton of
Pekin spotlights natural images as well as scenes from the prairie
and Chicago skylines. He owns Eagle Creek Gallery, which offers fine
art and oriental rugs to the Peoria area.
George Wyatt
of Norridge is a seasoned photographer who has been honing his
talent since 1966. He graduated from the Ray Vogue School of
Photography and also has exhibited at Swedish Days in Geneva, Ill.
Decatur's Dave Gendry joins the
lineup as a ceramics artist. He enjoys using a variety of materials
and techniques to sculpt pieces that are both aesthetically pleasing
as well as functional. The majority of his works are high-fired
stoneware or raku-fired, but he also offers something in porcelain
or low-fired earthware.
Watercolor artist Jennifer Roseman
of Lexington uses rural scenes as well as natural images to create
beautiful, haunting paintings. Roseman won Best of Show at the 2001
Ottawa (Ill.) Summer Arts Festival and is a member of the
Transparent Watercolor Society of America.
Pekin's Les Linton and Jason
Snyder present "Sticks & Mud Productions" with works made of
wood and ceramics. The artists feature bowls, jugs and boxes and
pride themselves on the individuality of every piece.
Penny Wyzlic
of East Peoria creates art from copper, glass mosaic and gourds. An
artist all her life, she believes that nature is beautiful and
simple in form. She strives to capture that simplicity, with a sense
of warmth, humor and lightheartedness.
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Fiber arts is the specialty of Monmouth
artist Cindy Romano. She weaves chenille scarves, felted
hats and rugs with her individual technique that has been featured
in fairs and galleries throughout Illinois.
Debbi Lane,
a glass artist who will be sparkling in full sun at the art fair,
comes from Delavan. She uses copper foil in the old Tiffany
technique to ensure quality and durability. Her pieces are displayed
in Africa, Holland and England.
Des Moines, Iowa, mixed-media artist
Kristine Clemons combines collage, painting and calligraphy to
create her works. While the subject matter varies, she usually uses
song lyrics or quotes from short stories and fairy tales.
The leaves in the woods surrounding the
studio of Lexington artist Liz Dellinger inspire her
stoneware pottery creations. She began working with pottery in 1999
and enjoys both wheel and hand building techniques. The leaves of
sycamore, maple, oak, pawpaw, hickory and ash trees serve as
imprints to add a touch of nature to her pottery.
The Lincoln/Logan Chamber of Commerce
offers "Art Bucks" for any interested community member. Patrons can
make an advance commitment in increments of $100 or purchase gift
certificates in increments of $25. Anyone whose pledge of $100 or
more has been received by Aug. 17 will receive mention as an art
patron in the art fair brochure. Art Bucks can be purchased at the
Lincoln/Logan County Chamber of Commerce, 303 S. Kickapoo St. in
Lincoln.

The chamber is currently looking for
volunteers to work the grounds, crew balloons, and assist visitors
at the festival. For more information regarding the Lincoln Art and
Balloon Festival, or to volunteer, contact the Lincoln/Logan County
Chamber of Commerce at (217) 735-2385 or e-mail
events@lincolnillinois.com.
The Lincoln
Art and Balloon Festival is organized by the Lincoln/Logan Chamber
of Commerce with the support of local businesses and community
volunteers. Lincoln is conveniently situated near several major
highways and located approximately 30 miles north of Springfield and
170 miles south of Chicago. The city of Lincoln was named for
Abraham Lincoln, and is home to several historical sites
commemorating the 16th president.
[Lincoln/Logan
County Chamber of Commerce
news release]

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