Art in the Park Returns on Saturday, September 10

The Rogue River Artists Association hosts Art in the Park again this September. This juried art show is Saturday, September 10 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in Garden Club Park next to the Rockford Dam. Admission is free.

“We are so excited to be hosting Art in the Park again this year,” said Paul Pate, president of the Rogue River Artists Association. “The event has always been a community favorite because it features a wide variety of mediums, the opportunity to meet and talk to the makers and is set in beautiful Garden Club Park nestled between the Rogue River dam and Rockford’s vibrant downtown.”

Art in the Park will feature over 50 Michigan artists showing a variety of art for sale including jewelry, pottery, paintings, photography, woodwork, home décor, leather work, fiber arts and sculpture. Many have won awards in their categories at local and regional shows.

“We have a great mix of popular returning artists as well as several who are new to Art in the Park,” said Pate. “What’s really great is you’re always going to see new art because we’re inviting a new mix of artists each year, and all of the artists are always creating new pieces and changing up their style and designs.”

A couple examples of artists making their debut appearance at Art in the Park this year are Madeline Kaczmarczyk and Brandon Johnson.

Known for her mixed media teapots incorporating thousands of glass seed beads on the surface of her hand-built clay teapots, award-winning artist Madeline Kaczmarczyk will make her debut appearance at Art in the Park this year. She has taught ceramics at Aquinas College and in a number of Michigan colleges and art centers. Her numerous commissions and collections include the Hyatt Regency World Headquarters and the Racine Art Museum.

Enchanting and whimsical are the best way to describe Brandon Johnson’s micro tree houses. A newcomer to the show, He starts his process by finding a branch that inspires him and starts building. Each tree house is unique and takes him roughly a month to make.

Some returning favorites include Rosemary Cheslock, Angela Sist, Mary Csenar, Linda Seamon and Noel Skiba.

Fire-created artisan jewelry making is not for the timid. Rosemary Cheslock of Glass Eye Butterfly uses both torch and kiln to create delightful glass and enamel jewelry. Her subjects are varied, including Michigan-inspired pendants, whimsical fish earrings, glass hearts, beach scenes, and copper-enamel statement necklaces and bracelets, and much more. All make wonderful gifts or a great addition to your collection.

Angela Sist of Two Copper Sparrows returns to Art in the Park with her award-winning, handcrafted custom leather handbags, totes, journal covers, and leather jewelry “one at a time to last a lifetime.”

Sisters Mary Csenar and Linda Seamon of Glass, Paper, Sisters create delightful and unique fused glass and cut paper structures. It’s no wonder they’ve been raking in awards at regional shows up and down the lakeshore not to mention the Best 3D award at last year’s Art in the Park.

Rockford native Noel Skiba returns to the show this year with her vibrant, impressionistic paintings in acrylic, watercolors and mixed media. Noel has several studios including on Mackinac Island and the Florida Keys, many of her topics are Michigan and waterside living inspired. She’s exhibited and won many awards around the country.

Potter Karie Eefsting of One Painted Pony Studio will return with her popular leaf bowls and some new projects she’s working on including oil bottles, wine decanters and a French watering bell. “It’s a new challenge,” Karie said of the French water bells. “If all goes as planned, I’ll have a bowl of water so you can try one for yourself. I’ll have some cool Michigan mugs in all the colors.”

All of the artists and artisans are juried into the show, plus some Rogue River Artists Association members will have tents set up by the beautiful new stage at the north end of the park.

“Our members in the Rogue River Artists Association tents are amazingly talented, too,” said Pate. “Take husband and wife photographers Kris and Bob Brown of 2 Browns Photography. Their Michigan landscapes and macrophotography have won awards and been featured in many regional exhibits. This year, they and a good number of our members were selected for the Festival of the Arts Regional Exhibition.”

“We hope people will make Rockford their destination on Saturday, September 10,” said Pate. “Not only will there be wonderful artists and artisans, there will be so much else to do… the Saturday farmers market, a great selection of shopping and dining, and walking or biking the White Pine trail.

Art in the Park will take place in Garden Club Park next to the Rogue River Dam in Rockford from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, September 10.

Additional artist information, parking map and more are posted on the Rogue River Artists Association Facebook page.

Art in the Park Returns on Saturday, September 10

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