The 2007 Junction City Art Fair which took place on June 2 and 3 was a wonderful event made even brighter by the backdrop of the newly renovated Junction City. The fair was a huge success, showcasing many local artists of all different mediums, a children’s-only section, local food and Junction City stores open to the public.
Local artists from the Peoria area were able to show the public some of their latest work. Jacob Grant, a Bradley University graduate student in ceramics, explained his latest series, tall vessel forms, that had just been unloaded from a firing a few days prior to the fair. Grant was quick to explain his glazing processes to any interested passerby.
Randy Carlson, ceramics professor at Bradley University, was also there to show his most recent works. His work consists of wheel thrown and altered teapots and other functional vessels that have been fired in a salt kiln. His work ended up making Best in Show at the fair this year.
Traveling among the booths, there was everything from amazing photographs of spilled nail polish and welded steel sculptures smoothed to perfection to hand-woven scarves and hand bags. Complimentary remarks flew from booth to booth from visitors at the art fair. The artists themselves were very willing to talk about their artwork, stopping to greet passing visitors and to ask if they had any questions about the work.
The children’s section of the fair was complete with a balloon artist from The Unique Twist and booths for the younger ones to make their own art. Next to the children’s section, the Butcher Block and the Spotted Cow, to name a few of the vendors, were ready to feed the hungry masses.
Junction City’s own shops were also open among the booths. Anecdotes, a unique boutique that boasts everything from kitchenware to outerwear, was packed with milling people. Anecdotes specializes in antique finds among interesting new items.
The Junction City Art Fair was a great addition to Peoria’s art community. Combining the veterans of Peoria’s artistic community with new faces, opening the Junction City stores to the public and providing a child-friendly atmosphere, the fair was an experience to remember.
