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Arts & Entertainment

Art Festival Celebrates The Creative

The free event takes place Sunday at Fort Zumwalt Park.

Some people display art behind protective glass cases. Some people display art on walls or in their hallways. Sonia Martinez prefers you display her art on people.

Martinez makes tie-dye apparel for all ages. "Anything that can be dyed, I dye," the O'Fallon artist said.

Martinez will be one of 18 local artists displaying and selling her wares this weekend at the Celebration of the Creative. The fine arts festival runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday in , O'Fallon.

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The free event will be set up outside the historic Heald Home overlooking LakeWhetsel in the park. It will feature original art, high-end crafts, live acoustic music, wine and beer sampling and food prepared by local restaurants. Arts and crafts activities for children will be provided by Leftovers, Etc. and staff.

"We are in our fourth year," said Paula Creech, recreation specialist for the city. "We decided we wanted to offer a small-scale arts festival and promote local artists."

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Participants are chosen through a jury process. This year's artists come from O'Fallon, St. Charles, Dardenne Prairie, Florissant and Fenton. The first year the event feature 10 artists; last year 25.

"We're trying to keep it small," Creech said. "We want around 20-25 artists."

Martinez had attended the festival the year before and when she saw it was coming up, sent in an application. She sees the festival as a good opportunity. "This is a really great way to have more people exposed to my work," she said.

Martinez became interested in tie dye around 2004. "One of my friends had a tie-dye party," she said. "It turned out really great. I'm into the whole '70s music scene and this went hand in hand. I love it. I love how the colors mix. It's always a surprise. It's fun -- it's a cool experience with color and fabric."

Martinez is aware that her work doesn't appeal to everyone but she hopes to change that.

"Tie dye is specific to a certain group but I'm interested in going beyond the usual and seeing it on people you wouldn't normally see it on," she said. "It's a good reflection of America and its cultural diversity." 

Other art styles to be displayed at the festival include fiber art, glass paintings and ornaments, handmade jewelry, framed artwork, wood carvings, ceramics and digital photographs.

"We'll also have McGregor Bears -- one-of-a-kind teddy bears and figurines, all hand crafted," Creech said.

Three acoustic acts will provide musical entertainment for the festival. Hillside Musician will perform at noon, followed by the Original Boneheads St. Louis Trombone Quartet at 1:30 p.m. and the J Monet Trio at 3 p.m.

The Celebration of the Creative draws around 200 visitors each year, Creechsaid. "We're hoping for beautiful weather and that the crowd comes out."

Volunteers are needed to assist with the children's activities and general festival events. To volunteer, contact O’Fallon’s Volunteer Services Department at volunteer@ofallon.mo.us or call 636-379-5507.

For more information on the Celebration of the Creative visit www.ofallon.mo.us/parks/CotC.htm or call 636-474-8121. The event is sponsored by the Cultural Arts Division of the O’Fallon Parks and Recreation Department.

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