42nd Annual Wausau Festival of Arts - September 9-10, 2006

The Wausau Festival of Arts Board of Directors is pleased to announce the 42nd Wausau Festival of Arts in Downtown Wausau.

Wausau, WI (PRWEB) September 1, 2006 -- The Wausau Festival of Arts is pleased to announce the 42nd Wausau Festival of Arts in Downtown Wausau.

“We are thrilled to be one of the best fine arts festivals in the country and are excited about the future of the Festival,” said Bill Greenwood, Wausau Festival of Arts 2006 President. “Our continual growth is possible thanks to the support of this tremendous community, our loyal sponsors, outstanding volunteers and talented artists.” Featuring more than 120 artists from across the country, the 2005 Festival attracted thousands of people to downtown Wausau.

Wausau Festival of Arts is Wausau’s only Juried Art Festival. Artists for this highly competitive show were selected by a blind jury process. Each applicant submitted three images, which were shown to a five person jury anonymously. Scores for each anonymous group of images were then tallied and matched back up by category with the appropriate artist after all of the judging was complete to determine which artists were selected for the show. The five jurors for the 2006 Festival were: Rick Huotari, Jayna Hintz, Donna Benson, Kendra VanSlyke and Ryan Rouse.

In addition to the professional artists, two college students were selected to participate in the 2006 Festival as part of the Emerging Artist program. This year the Emerging Artists are Kyle Romaneck and Peter Kallstrom.

The Festival has continued expansion of bringing new artists to the Festival. “The 2006 show will see may more new artists, never before in the show”, says Lisa Stahl, President-Elect of the Festival. "There is no doubt that the Wausau Festival of Arts is an important show for Central Wisconsin" Stahl said.

Every medium is represented, from traditional oil, acrylic and watercolor paintings to the emerging digital arts, glass, ceramics, textiles, photography, mixed media, sculptures and fine jewelry, the Festival covers the full range of the arts.

The atmosphere at the Wausau Festival of Arts is far from the typical impression of an art show being a quiet, subdued, and perhaps intimidating place, the Festival is alive with artists demonstrating in their booths or at many of the daily workshops in the Family Art area. Instead of the cut-off feeling that many patrons of the arts get from a visit to a gallery or museum, at the Wausau Festival of Arts visitors get to meet the artists and learn about their motivations and excitement with the work that they are creating.

Another much-anticipated aspect of the Festival is the great food provided by the many local not-for-profit vendors right on the grounds of the Festival. Offerings range form Egg rolls to Smoked Pork Chops to Wrap Sandwiches and more.

Located between Art in the Park in Marathon Park and The Birds in Art celebration at Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum, the Wausau Festival of Arts has carved out an identity all its own. The range of media that is displayed gives the show an exciting feel. Metal, Mixed Media, Painting, Paper, Photography, Sculpture, Wood and even new digital art forms are embraced.

This year there will be more workshops, demonstrations by artists and live entertainment than ever before. Admission is free.

For a complete list of the 2006 Accepted Artists, Entertainment Schedule, sponsors and more visit www.wausaufestivalofarts.org or contact Molly Larson.

Sponsors include: The City of Wausau, RW Baird, Wausau’s Artrageous Weekend, Wisconsin Public Radio, Aspirus Clinics, Midwest Communications, 89Q, Fox55, News Radio 55 SAU, WOFM, WDEZ, WIFC, WIZD, 1390AM and the Wausau Daily Herald.

About Wausau Festival of Arts:
The Wausau Festival of Arts is a non-profit organization founded by Ed Schoenberger and is dedicated to producing a free cultural event. The Festival features nationally known artists and entertainers. Since its inception, the Festival has attracted more than a half million people to Wausau’s downtown. Festival proceeds benefit area art student scholarships and the Wausau Festival of Arts. For more information, visit www.wausaufestivalofarts.org.

Today, Wausau Festival of Arts is a unique, locally supported organization with a strong volunteer base, providing arts and entertainment to people throughout Wausau and Central Wisconsin.

Each year, the Festival of Arts depends on hundreds of volunteers who help with our programs. Contributions are tax deductible.

Contact:
Molly Larson, Administrator
Wausau Festival of Arts
PO Box 1763
Wausau WI 54402
Telephone 715-842-1676
www.wausaufestivalofarts.org

Media Contact:
Lisa Stahl, President-Elect
715-842-1373 phone

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