1ST ANNUAL ART IN THE PARK | 2015

Wow!

Last August the small town of Elkader, Iowa, nearly doubled in size as an estimated 2,000 patrons and onlookers joined together in Founders Park to partake in the first annual Art in the Park! Live music and entertainment danced through the park, food vendors served up an artistic display of homemade delicious delicacies, smiling volunteers bounced from tent to tent to offer artists water, snacks, and even a break, and people from all over enjoyed shopping through the windy tent-lined sidewalk of local and regional artists!

Festival goers were given People’s Choice Award Ballots as they entered the festival. Not only did they get to cast a vote for their favorite artist, but the ballot doubled as a free raffle ticket! This went over quite well and we were able to see that not only were many people from out-of-town, but that this was the first trip to Elkader for several of our festival goers! We were also excited to see that all of our artists received votes for the People’s Choice Award!

The 2015 People’s Choice Award went to David Prehm, Booth #27. Prehm is a master watercolor artist from New Hampton, Iowa. His work is influenced by his love for the outdoors and it can be found locally at the McGregor-Marquette Center for the Arts. David Prehm’s paintings have been collected throughout the Midwest, Norway, France, Czech Republic, Japan, New Zealand and Australia!

The Committee Choice Award was given to an artist whose body of work and booth display exhibited exemplary quality, creativity, and overall aesthetic. It was not an easy decision to be made, as all of the artists did such an amazing job! The first annual Committee Choice Award was given to Andrew Wroble, Booth #18. Wroble is a woodland manager, a story teller, and an artist from Harpers Ferry, IA. He creates gorgeous treescape ink wash paintings that captivate and mystify. Andrew Wroble’s work can be found locally at the McGregor-Marquette Center for the Arts in McGregor, IA, and at The Guttenberg Gallery and Creativity Center in Guttenberg, IA.

After folks enjoyed the festival, many meandered through our eclectic town, checked out the lovely shops, restaurants, and even popped into the 3rd annual train expo. There were fun things to do for the whole family all weekend!

The Cultural and Entertainment District, Main Street Elkader, and the entire community played a role in providing a culturally enriched family fun weekend for those nearby and for the multitudes who traveled for the big event! Elkader’s first annual Art in the Park was truly a great success and we cannot wait to see what is in store for 2016! Mark your calendars for August 20 and 21, 2016!

Andrew Wroble, Harpers Ferry, IA - Ink Wash

Ann Olsson, Waterloo, IA – Pastels, Watercolor

Cathmar Prange, Riverside, IA – Painting

Christie Melby-Gibbons, Milwaukee, WI – Jewelry

Clayton County Artists, Clayton County, IA – Mixed Media

Clint Peterson, Winter, WI – Handmade Knives

Daryl Bruxvoort, Elkader, IA – Metal

David Prehm, New Hampton, IA – Watercolor

Doug Cole, Sumner, IA – Ceramics

Empty Nest Winery, Waukon, IA – Fine Wines

Fran & Ellen Henkels, Dubuque, IA – Painting, Metal

Harrison Gresham, Garnavillo, IA – Painting, Drawing

Janet Drake, Waterloo, IA – Watercolor

Jeanette Muller, Warren, IA – Photography

Jillian Webb Herrmann, St. Olaf, IA – Painting, Photography

Judith Eastburn, Des Moines, IA – Photography

Katherine Chandler, Elkader, IA – Ceramics

Leslie Jeanne Gibbons, Elkport, IA – Mixed MedIA – Jewelry

Linda Sue Sulzdorf, Strawberry Point, IA – Ceramic

Ann McCullough, Strawberry Point, IA – Mixed Media

Maureen Burke, Ames, IA – Encaustic

Meg Prange, Russell, IA – Fibers

Pulpit Rock Brewery, Decorah, IA – Craft Beers

Rabecca Hennessey, Guttenberg, IA – Painting

Rachel Arnold, Elkader, IA – Ceramics, Photography

Roger and Judy Westemeier, Dyersville, IA – Woodworking

Rural Route 1: Art and Design Services, Strawberry Point, IA – Screen Printing

Sara Zapf, Garnavillo, IA – Metal

Sister Cities Friendship Club, Elkader, IA – Algerian Art

Steve Kerper, New Vienna, IA – Woodworking

Sue Wilke, Galena, IL – Painting, Jewelry

Whitewater Timberworks, Bernard, IA – Woodworking

In 2015 Art in the Park had the privilege of hosting these fabulous eateries and breweries:

• Dumpling Darlings – out of Cedar Rapids, IA
• Wild Fryers – out of Dubuque. IA
• Elkader Cinema, Prairie du Chien Cinema – Elkader, IA & Prairie Du Chien, WI
• Schera’s Algerian-American Restaurant – Elkader, IA
• Fennelly’s Irish Pub – Elkader, IA
• R&R Dairy – Elkader, IA
• Pedretti’s Bakery – Elkader, IA
• Empty Nest Winery – Waukon, IA
• Pulpit Rock Brewing Co. – Decorah, IA

In conjunction with Art in the Park, we are excited to announce that the Area Youth Art Contest and Kids Creation Station will be back in 2016! Last year, over three hundred area youth participated at our Kids Creation Station. With the assistance of the Guttenberg Creativity Center, these kiddos worked on collaborative group pieces and created fun artwork to take home for free!

In addition to the fun projects to work on at the festival, there was also a display of artwork by area youth which had been awarded with 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and honorable mention ribbons! We were thrilled with the turnout and look forward to seeing what the young artists will have to show in 2016!

Art in the Park hosted Sara Klosterboer, Beau Timmerman, River City Ruckus Band, Dust of the Saints, Jon Stavers and Big Blue Sky, The Guttenberg German Band, and The National Brass Quintet on the Founders Park pavilion stage! There were mini displays put on by the historic Elkader Opera House, a Melodrama Group, and Dance Fusionworks.

We are so grateful to these very talented musicians and artisans who graced the stage during Art in the Park 2015! The variety of sights and sounds elevated the atmosphere and energy during Elkader’s first annual fine art festival!

We’re looking forward to seeing the schedule for 2016!

Art in the Park would not have been possible without the generous support from the community, volunteers, and all of our 2015 sponsors!

Thank  you again for making Elkader’s first annual fine art festival a true success!

The Iowa Arts Council, a division of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs, and the National Endowment for the Arts

FreedomBank
Elkader Community Marketing & Elkader Lodging Assn
Central State Bank
Signs N Frames
Clayton County Foundation for the Future Grant
3M Corporation, Prairie du Chien

Gifford Insurance
Heritage Printing
Fast Trak
Zach Herrmann, Attorney
Schera’s Restaurant & Bar
Creativity Center, Guttenberg
Norby’s Farm & Fleet
Rockadot Graphics

Florence Gifford
JEM Salon
Probuild
Black Hills Gas Utility Co
Kris Grover, FB page: Luna Fiber
Robert & Theresa Hauber
Alpine Communications
Grau Logs & Lumber
Bridge St Boutique/Kathy Josten
Royal Products
Caterpillar, Inc
Elkader Care Center
Adam Pollock, Fire Farm
Iowa Network Services (grant)
Witt’s Custom Framing:
Mary Lee Witt
Farmer’s Culligan
Prairie Cinemas, Prairie du Chien &
Elkader Cinema, Elkader
Andrew & Leslie Gibbons
Willow Creek Garden Décor with
JWebb Art & Photography
Ehrhardt, Gnagy & McCorkindale,
Attorneys at Law
Dish N Tunes
Moser Family Pharmacy
Elkader Auto & Electric:
Toby & Tracy Schroeder
Carnes Music
Prairie Flower Confections-home
of Gold Mine Milking Shorthorns
Rural Route 1 & Rivals, Inc
inspire(d) Magazine
Julie Doeppke Insurance Agent

Treats on Bridge Street
John & Marjorie Finley
Sure Save Wilke’s
Drew’s Sports Bar & Grille
Tim & Peggy Juergens
Kevin Imoehl, DDS
Joan Wagen & Romuald Piorkowski
The Backstitch, Karen Jackson
Fitzgerald Inc
Elkader Eye Clinic Dr. Bruce Landis
Ken & Fran Zichal
Rosemary & Roger Thomas
State Farm Insurance:
Gary Helgerson
Medical Associates of
Elkader & Monona, Iowa
The Dallenbach Durbin Family
Elkader Development Corp
Bob & Hila Garms
J-N-J Pizza

North Gate Healing Center &
Therapeutic Massage
Elkader Public Library
Clark and Janet Ott
Turkey River Mail
The Copper Frog
Olson Appliance
Elkader True Value
The Store, Lois Nelson
John & Sue Gnagy
Merle & Jane Kuennen
Jim & Jamie Burgin
Everett’s Service
CJ Lanes
Elkader Greenhouse
Ishman Jewelry
Holly’s Bridal
Antiques on Main
General Store & More
Corby’s Tire & Muffler
Zapf’s Pronto
Dr. Tim Kane, DC
Auto Collision Specialists
Subway, Elkader
Beauty Bar
Gene’s Place: Gene & Judy Vigen
Chiropractic Advantage,
Timothy Kane, DC
Burger Barn: Kari Seeland
Bahls Insurance
Elkader Golf & Country Club
Elkader Chiropractic Center:
Jamie Hammersland, DC
Elkader Veterinary Clinic
Brian & Jody Collins
Elkader Floral Shop: Janis Lerch
Stark’s Liquor Store, Prairie du Chien
Bender’s Foods, Guttenberg
Piggly Wiggly, Prairie du Chien
Charles & Mary Lammers
Mark & Rondee Troester
Jane & John Metcalf
Julie Kane