First Art Around the Square and Colorfest Art Trail Digest

Over the weekend of October 10-12, HeartlandArts.Net helped to organize several local art events. On Friday, October 10, we co-hosted the first "Art Around the Square" event in Carbondale along with the Historic Town Square Business Coalition. There was an excellent turnout, with couples and groups of friends starting out with dinner at the local restaurants and then strolling around the square to view and purchase the art on display at local businesses. At Art Lovers Trading Company, one couple showed their enjoyment by dancing around the gallery. Elaine Ramseyer, General Manager of Longbranch Coffeehouse, said, "It was great for building the community, and it was so much fun seeing all the people out on the street." A variety of excellent artists were featured at the event, including emerging artists Rachel Christine Nowicki and Andrea LeBeau. The second Art Around the Square event is planned for December 12 in Carbondale

The "Colorfest Art Trail" took place at some of the wineries and other venues along the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail October 11-12. The wineries were packed on Saturday and comfortably crowded on Sunday, with musical acts playing at nearly every stop along the trail. Winery owners, including John Patrick Russell at Rustle Hill Winery and event coordinator Lisa Pye at Von Jakob Orchard and Vineyard, confirmed that many patrons had been drawn by the art on special display over the weekend. An exhibit by Biki Chaplain is still on display at Orlandini Vineyards until the end of the year, as well as photography by Cleta Jo Shirley at Inheritance Valley Vineyards until the end of October. HeartlandArts.Net is working towards getting more art installed at wineries, lodging and other businesses along the wine trail and beyond. Stay tuned for more information about shows in the planning stages for the upcoming Shawnee Hills Wine Trail Open House event the weekend of November 28-30.

In case you haven't seen the pictures yet, click here!