JenClare Gawaran was apprehensive about whether she would be selected as an emerging artist for the 42nd East Lansing Art Festival.
But when she received her acceptance, the MSU art graduate and printmaker was more than excited for this year's event.
"It is a big accomplishment in my mind because it is here that you can begin to establish yourself in the art world," Gawaran said.
Gawaran is just one of eight emerging artists that has been invited to display their work in the art festival, held Saturday and Sunday in downtown East Lansing. More than 200 artists and an expected 70,000 visitors will line the streets with their various styles of artwork - from paintings to ceramics and even jewelry. Visitors are also encouraged to watch demonstrations from different artists, such as the Potters Guild, or take their kids to participate in the chalk art contest.
"We have four major components to the art festival, which are art, music, food court and activities," festival coordinator Leslie Donaldson said. "We do it downtown so that visitors can get drinks, lunch and just walk around and shop."
Donaldson said the mission of the festival is to enhance community and appreciation of artistic activity.
"We do this as a community event and to support the downtown businesses," she said.
Even though the size of the festival continues to grow, and the number of artists participating this year is as large as last year's festival, the event continues to be free to the public.
"The art festival board are all volunteers," Donaldson said. "We receive no money from the city, and everything we do is supported through our sponsors and artists, who pay booth fees."
Besides the art, the festival also attracts music lovers due to its two stages set up for live bands.
"During the art festival, we like to provide music that is complementary to the art," performance coordinator Wanda Degen said. "Over the years, we have become more professional now that we have a budget to work with. Most of the bands we invite are professionals, but we do have local, regional and national talent."
Degen said she's especially excited about the band Brave Combo - a Grammy-winning group awarded "Best Polka Album" in 2004. Degen said she pursued the band for nearly two years to perform at the festival.
But other than polka, the festival will include country, blues, jazz and bluegrass tunes. In terms of food, Donaldson said the festival will offer an international food court with diverse selections like Ethiopian, Chinese and Greek dishes.
Food coordinator Michael Evans is already excited about the many choices at the festival.
"Last year, the Middle Eastern cuisine was pretty good, especially their chicken," Evans said. "This year, I can't wait to try Jim's Backyard Barbeque."
In addition to the time Evans will spend eating grub, he's also in charge of the more practical job of ensuring that the vendors keep the food safe for the consumer.
"My job is to go around and make sure that the vendors handle their food properly, in terms of keeping all items at the right temperature," he said. "Basically, I just make sure that everyone is educated on how to handle food."
Across the street on MSU's campus, the University Activities Board sponsors the 41st annual MSU Spring Arts & Crafts Show on Saturday and Sunday. Most booths will be set up around the Union and the Human Ecology Building. More than 300 artists are expected to display their crafts.
Rashad L. Jackson can be reached at jacks637@msu.edu.
Saturday, May 21
Main Stage
11:00-11:30am - East Lansing High School Jazz Band
12:00-1:00pm - Jo Serrapere & The Willie Dunns, delta blues
1:30-2:30pm - The Sunny Wilkinson Quartet, jazz
3:00-4:15pm - Brave Combo, polka
4:45-6:00pm - Thom Jayne & The Unusual Suspects, world music
West Stage
11:00-11:30am - MSUCMS Suzuki Program
11:45-12:45pm - Robert Jones, American roots
1:00-2:00pm - The Royal Garden Trio, jazz and swing
2:15-3:15pm - "Earthwork Songwriter Showcase"
Variety of musicians
3:30-4:15pm - Jo Serrapere & The Willie Dunns, delta blues
4:45-5:45pm - The Weepers, twang
Sunday, May 22
Main Stage
11:30-12:15pm - The Hop-Ups, bluegrass
12:45-1:45pm - Laurie Lewis & Tom Rozum, acoustic bluegrass
2:15-3:15pm - The Chenille Sisters
3:40-3:45pm - Wally Pleasant, humor
3:45-5:00pm - Brave Combo, polka
West Stage
11:00-11:45am - Matthew Carlson & The Pantones, folk/alternative country
12:00-1:00pm - Mystic Shake, rhythm
1:15-2:15pm - The Ingham County Regulars, alternative country
2:45-3:30pm - Laurie Lewis and Tom Rozum, bluegrass
3:45-4:45pm - Jeremy Kittel and Bob Gerics, Irish, Scottish and jazz
Crazy Richard, The Madd Juggler, will perform at large on Saturday and Sunday.
Source: elartfest.com
