Event set for Sunday

For Hub City Times

MARSHFIELD — For the past 52 years, thousands have gathered with friends and family to view and purchase the work of local and regional artists at the Marshfield Art Fair. It is a Mother’s Day tradition, and this year’s event takes place Sunday, May 8, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. in the Marshfield High School field house, 1401 E. Becker Road in Marshfield.

Visitors are welcome, free of charge, to view an assortment of original art available for purchase, enjoy live entertainment, and try a hands-on-art activity. More than 5,000 people attend the Art Fair each year.

Over 90 talented artists from Wisconsin and surrounding states have been selected to display and sell their fine art at the event. Many artists also plan to demonstrate techniques at their booths.

Returning for the 53rd Annual Marshfield Art Fair is 2015 Best in Show winner Jim Becia and 2015 Excellence Award winners Jessie Fritsch, Bill Roever, Char terBeest Kudla, Rebecca Korth, Jane Foos, and Frank Kudla. A complete listing of all artists participating in this year’s event can be found at newvisionsgallery.org.

Artists will be competing for $1,200 in cash awards. Serving as awards judge is Leslie Walfish, director and curator of the Carlsten Art Gallery at University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. Walfish, who came to Wisconsin via Washington D.C. and did her undergraduate work at James Madison University, received her master’s in art history from the University of Arizona and a second master’s in museum studies from Johns Hopkins University. She most recently worked as the gallery and collections coordinator at Lawrence University in Appleton.

There will be plenty of lively entertainment going on throughout the event, including the Marshfield Public Schools Orchestra at 11 a.m., Marshfield Middle School Jazz Band at noon, Main Street Conservatory of Dance at 1 p.m., the School of Performing Arts at 2 p.m., and the Aber Suzuki Center at 3 p.m.

The free Children’s Hands-on Art area and Empty Bowls Clay Fest will be open from 11:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. In the Hands-on Art area, children can create their own mini masterpiece to take home. Visitors of all ages are invited to take part in the Empty Bowls Clay Fest to build a bowl to contribute to Marshfield’s Empty Bowls event, which benefits food pantry Soup or Socks.

Lunch and snacks will be available for purchase in the commons from Marshfield Noon Rotary Club. Proceeds from the food booth are used to fund Rotary’s community projects. Additional snack and beverage vendors will be located outside the field house.

Co-chairs of the 2016 Marshfield Art Fair are Elizabeth Vickers and Joyce Heintz. The event is organized and sponsored by New Visions Gallery. For more information contact New Visions Gallery at 715-387-5562, or visit newvisionsgallery.org. Updates to the event will also be posted on the New Visions Gallery Facebook page.