Seventh annual Art in the Park fine art festival is Aug. 21-22 in Elkader
Northeast Iowa will host its seventh annual Art in the Park Fine Art Festival, a regionally recognized event, held on the third weekend every August. This year, Art in the Park will be held on Saturday, Aug. 21, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, Aug. 22, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Founders’ Park on the bank of the Turkey River in historic Elkader.
The festival will feature 50 fine artists from across the region who have been juried into the 2021 event. They will offer a variety of artwork showcasing ceramics, drawing, glass, jewelry, painting, photography, metal, sculpture, wood and more. This festival gives visitors a chance to purchase, view and enjoy original art and meet the artists who create it.
In addition to viewing and purchasing original fine art from the region’s best artists, there will be a musical lineup that includes Blind Mice, Kristina Marie Castañeda, northeast Iowa’s own Sophia Landis and more during the two-day event.
There will be a “kids’ art station” where the little ones can be creative at no cost, a returning henna temporary tattoo artist, silent auction items from the generosity of the Clayton County Artists Group, wine tasting and food vendors. There will be something for the entire family.
As Elkader’s downtown flourishes and the art scene continues to grow, visitors are encouraged to meander through town, shop, see, taste and be inspired by the local galleries, eclectic shops, restaurants, bars and brewery. Be sure to take the alley way for a scenic view of some remarkable murals, too.
Art in the Park is a community event. There is free admission with free parking. Visitors can interact with several art installations throughout the park and use the new QR code to vote for their favorite artist for the people’s choice ballot.
Ashley Althoff, one of the event’s co-chairs, shared, “I started volunteering with Art in the Park as an intern while in undergrad and, now, here I am, years later, as the co-chair and graphics/marketing coordinator. Being involved has been a fantastic experience; this festival truly is extra close to my heart. It is organized by the most passionate people I’ve ever met and showcases an outstanding group of artists every year. We can’t wait to share some incredible art, music, food and northeast Iowa’s beautiful surroundings with everyone. There’s something extra special about this event, this community, and we hope you’ll join us for an all-around feel good festival. Come be inspired.”
Art in the Park is an event of Main Street Elkader and supported by the community and volunteers that make it possible. Find more information at www.ArtintheParkElkader.com and Facebook.com/ArtintheParkElkader.
