Local artists to host Arts in the Forks Festival

AU SABLE FORKS | A group of dedicated local artists is looking to host the first-ever Arts in the Forks Festival on Sept. 5. "Last fall, we all got together to see how we could bring more people to town and show them just how big an arts community Au Sable Forks actually is," said Norman Jabaut, who helped spearhead this event along with Rob Fountain and Carrie Plumadore. "And hopefully, this will be an event that returns for years to come." From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the entire hamlet will be bustling with activity. Thanks to the Town of Jay sponsoring the event, the Community Center will serve as the epicenter, where a variety of artist vendors will display and sell their work. At the time of this writing, nine vendors have signed up. The Arts in the Forks Festival Committee — made up of Jabaut, Fountain, Plumadore, Beth Rowland, Sue Ann Walton-Godlewski, and Town of Jay Supervisor Matt Stanley — is currently seeking more vendors and asks that they sign up by Aug. 1. The goal is to have at least 20 vendors, and as an added incentive, joining the fun costs nothing. Along with the vendors, there will also be free artist workshops, including wood burning with John Fitzgerald, paper sculpture with Walton-Godlewski, mixed media with Maria DeAngelo, painting with Jessie Furnia, balloon sculpture with Scott Eichholz, and printmaking with Fountain. Other participants include the Au Sable Forks Free Library, which will be opening its newest exhibit titled "Adirondack Textures" the day before, featuring artwork by Fountain, Plumadore, Tammy Rose, and Maria DeAngelo, and "Art House" — the personal residence and art studio of Jabaut himself. At the time of this writing, the committee was still awaiting confirmation from the Tahawus Cultural Center, which may be offering dance, taekwondo, and possibly spoken-word poetry. The committee recently got in buttons designed by local artist Andrea Mucha that will not only grant people access to all aspects of the day-long event but also offer discounts at various local businesses. Buttons will cost $5 each. There will also be a map showing people the different activities and the places where they take place. Following the event, the Knights of Columbus will host a chicken dinner, and before the event, the committee hopes to offer a free yoga session so everyone can start the day fresh, relaxed, and energized. "The Art in the Forks is a volunteer group that supports the arts community in an all-inclusive environment that fosters the creative economy, community pride, and Main Street revitalization in Au Sable Forks. That being said, we are also looking to showcase local artists in the Town of Jay and the surrounding tri-county areas," Fountain said. "Our hope is to bring a safe environment for artists to show and sell their work, with art education inspiring a new generation of artists." To sign up to be a vendor, email artsintheforks@gmail.com. For more information or updates, check out the Facebook page "Arts in the Forks Festival."

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Local artists to host Arts in the Forks Festival

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