CTAWishThe 17th-annual Jacksonville Celebrates the Arts (CTA) is the place to be Labor Day Weekend, featuring 70 fine artists, artistic crafters, live entertainment and food. CTA will be open Friday, August 30-through Sunday, September 1 from 10:00am-5:00pm. All festival arts and crafts are hand-designed and created by artists from throughout the Rogue and Illinois Valleys and Pacific Northwest. Held on the grounds of the Historic Jacksonville Courthouse at 206 N. 5th Street, join the celebration for fun, art, food and entertainment!

This year, CTA will also feature a show, “Vine to Wine” in the Art Presence Gallery located on the Courthouse grounds. The show features paintings, photography, pottery, and more in a variety of mediums.

CTA artists will offer a variety of works from wildlife and travel photographers who’ve captured their adventures across many continents. You’ll be delighted with David Irwin’s kit foxes, Lorayne Michael’s cliff swimmers, Jerry Hagstrom’s landscapes, Jim Lettis’ intriguing collection of doors and Pat Moore’s large canvas travel and wildlife photos.

Also, catch beautifully-turned wood, decorative metal and garden art, decorative gourds, home benches and outdoor patio furniture, wind chimes, hand-painted silk hangings, ladies fashions, pottery, handmade soaps, lotions, glass art, and pressed flower landscapes. Everything displayed will be available for sale at the show.

This year’s jewelry selection includes Deb Harris’ unique gemstone rings and earrings, incorporating up-cycled bullets from 45s, Colts, andCTAchild_wolf-paintings Winchesters. Other jewelry from Cliff Scharf, Gail O’Dell and Lynn & Jack Statton offer beautifully hand-crafted silver jewelry along with custom-designed gemstones and stylized stamped metal and gemstone jewelry by Lynn Whip.

Talented painters include Pegi Smith, Tony Antonides, Trudy Estes, Eunice Fulbright and Cammy Davis. Davis will also offer small, retail key chains, jewelry, and dog tags, created from images of her original paintings.

For foodies, the aroma of fresh-roasted cinnamon nuts at the “We’re All Nuts” booth and the oh-so-tasty Chele’s Italian Ice booths are must-stops! Hearty foods will also be available for purchase.

For entertainment, Shybo Torres, Alena Chubet, Dave Barnes, Dr. Jeff Judkins, Cole Cullen and Richard Gyuro, will be offering a variety of music on the Courthouse steps twice-daily.

CTA is the annual fund raiser for the Community Center’s proposed multi-use expansion that will serve all Jacksonville residents.

For more information, visit Facebook: Celebrate the Arts Jacksonville, CelebrateArtsJacksonvilleor.com or email jeanena@charter.net.

Posted August 23, 2013