The 48^th Delaware Arts Festival made everyone’s day; exhibitors, visitors and festival committee members. 

Exhibitors displayed original art work in the174 white tents that stretched down the middle of Sandusky Street from William Street to Central Avenue; continuing on East and West Winter Street. Vendor Kim Lawson in booth #10 said, “I appreciate how hard everyone works behind the scenes to make this show so special!! We as vendors have no idea just how much hard work goes into putting a show together!” “My sales were great as always,” she continued. 

Art comes in many forms and visitors found it both festival days. Puppets in the likeness of hot pink dragons, lime green dogs and bears. Woodworkers creating tables, chairs, owls and wagons. Pottery cups with snakes for handles and unique faces. Laughing children with faces painted as tigers, Spiderman, Batman, butterflies and exotic flowers.

At lunch time hungry patrons enjoyed a variety of eats from food trucks and local restaurants. Hot dogs, brats and chips were on the Delaware Kiwanis menu, “We're glad to be here as one of the food vendors,” said Sharon O'Neil. 

“It was a great day to be in uptown Delaware with all the talented artists, entertainment areas, and good food options,” said Marsha North of Central Ohio. 

The yearly $20,000 art scholarship awarded to three Delaware County High School seniors is what motivates the festival committee. First place went to Cate Crowell of Olentangy Liberty High School. According to her personal statement clay is her medium of choice, with animals being her inspiration. Crowell is attending the University of Alaska Anchorage. Second place is Chase Wahlund also of Olentangy Liberty High School. In her personal statement, Wahlund, a painter, said she paints in acrylics, but also enjoys exploring mixed media when creating. Wahlund is attending Savannah College of Art and Design. Third place belongs to Elizabeth Weinberger of Olentangy Orange High School. In her personal statement Weinberger said her medium is digital 3D, because when creating it allows one to address problems with unconventional ways. Weinberger is attending The College for Creative Studies, Detroit. The scholarship awards took place on Saturday, May 20 at noon. Presenting the awards was Delaware County Probate/Juvenile Judge David Hejmanowski. “It's a pleasure to be a part of this event every year and see these incredible talented kids,” he said. The three scholarship recipients art works are on display at the Delaware County Library during the month of June. 

The Delaware Art Festival is a juried art show awarding ribbons to four artists. Two judges with art backgrounds and educations determine the winners.

Best of Show goes to William Shearrow of Shearrow Tile & Pottery, Canton, Ohio. A Columbus College of Art and Design graduate, he's enjoyed working with clay since 1979 and is inspired by his garden and nature. He learned the basics at CCAD, but over time Shearrow has developed his own techniques, acquiring honors along the way. According to his website, Shearrow received the Award of Excellence in Ceramics 2012-2013 Best of Ohio Exhibits and is a member of the Roycroft Artisans. He passes on his expertise by teaching classes at Canton Museum of Art. shearrowpottery.com 

First Place went to Henry Levine of Thorn Ridge Studios Albany, Ohio. Levine started his art career creating pottery. He turned to glass blowing in 1984 while attending Alfred University in Alfred, New York. After graduation he opened a wholesale neon sign company in Columbus, Ohio. Levine started attending art festivals in 1999. After 10 years Levine sold his neon company and opened his glass blowing studio in Southern Ohio. Color draws Levine to his Munro style glass blowing. “People appreciate authenticity in art. I feel I achieve my authenticity that excites me that then excites my customer,” he said. henrylevineglassart.com 

Second place is Wood Art by D, Delia Smith of Powell, Ohio. A self taught wood worker for 30 years, Smith said she learned a little through her own drive and some from You Tube. She believes function in wood working shouldn't be sacrificed for aesthetics. Her design may include a piece of drift wood from the beach, Nova Scotia or the Olentangy River. “Design on the fly,” Smith said. A reconnaissance trip to the Olentangy River can result in wood, stones, little shells any thing she finds interesting. Smith looks at one of her finds and thinks, “Your going to be something, don't know what yet.”

woodartbyd.com 

Third place is Markgraf Clayworks, Tom and Karen Markgraf of Granville, Ohio. The husband and wife team are Columbus College of Art and Design graduates with Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees. Each is inspired differently. Tom's designs just evolve he said. Nature inspires Karen, as seen in her designs. 

Their clay creations are hand thrown, sculpted and hand glazed. The pottery can be functional and also contemporary works of art. In addition, Markgraf Clay Works has a teaching studio in the Newark Cultural Art Center. “We have a big head class where everyone makes a big clay head,” said Tom, “it's interesting to see people grow in the class.” markgrafclayworks.com 

Honorable Mention went to Amy Beeler Design of Oregon, Ohio. Beeler's baskets are a unique design created from cotton clothes line, then sewn in a circle by machine using regular thread with small stitches. “I use American made rope,” she said. Beeler's donkey was the basket inspiration. She needed small light weight baskets, developed them and soon started designing baskets as art work for the home.

According to festival President Mark Hardymon, this year saw a number of new exhibitors. He said they enjoyed the festival and the charm of Delaware. Hardymon continued, “This year's festival was a wonderful success.” There are many volunteers, sponsors and various Delaware City Departments to thank for their hard work and patience. “Thanks again to everyone,” Hardymon said.

There are many art forms. Robbie Hay's are face painting/body painting/ and henna. Her artistic talents extend into being an author, teacher and coloring book designer.

She has shared her gift with Delaware Arts Festival visitors for 15 years. Hay can still be found painting faces at the same Winter Street location, close to Buns. “This festival has been wonderful to me,” Hay said.

Hay started her face painting journey about 30 years ago. “I'll never forget it,” she said. Hay and her husband were attending the “Feast of the Flowering Moon” festival in Chillicothe, Ohio when they saw a young man painting faces. “I was absolutely mesmerized,” she said, “I got hooked on face painting that day.” Hay said she loves people and enjoys painting on them. “When you paint someone you learn a lot about them and their lives,” she stated.

Hay's face/body painting expertise led to world wide conventions. Her first convention, 2005, was the International Face & Body Painting Convention in Orlando, Florida. Followed by Seeboten, Austria, 2006, The World Body Painting Festival in Albuquerque, New Mexico, 2006-2007. Body painting is a world wide art form she said. “There's body painting at The Arnold,” Hay said.

Art is in Hay's blood, her parents and grandparents were artists. She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from The Ohio State University, majoring in painting and printmaking. Participating at Ohio art festivals brings Hay great joy. Along with the Delaware Arts Festival, you'll find her at the Ohio State Fair, The Columbus Arts Festival, Westerville Music & Arts Festival and the Renaissance Festival, among others.

Hay developed a different art form when she couldn't find a book on facing painting. “So I wrote it,” she said. “Face Painting for Fun and Profit”, published in 2006, can be found on Amazon. The book's introduction reminds the reader that humans have painted their bodies and caves, for one reason or another since we started walking upright. Today's humans are simply following in their forefather’s footsteps. Written for non artists, it tells the reader how to chose correct make-up, brushes and other necessities. It also includes information about setting up a face painting business.

The Doodle Dazzle Designs trend has caught Hay's attention. The colored markers have a double line out-liner, metallic, for drawing on any surface. Hay then published an adult coloring book, available at Nobles book stores or online, using the special markers to color ink drawn animals.

All ways busy, Hay teaches art classes three days a week to age 50+ members of the Martin Janis & Thompson Community Center. Her classes include, beginning figure drawing, abstract painting, painting/drawing, needle point/Embroidery Club and painting on fabrics. “ You never stop learning, you're always learning,” she said.

Hay can be found online at www.thebash.com Robbie Hay: Face/body painting.

Noah Mynes' love for wood and a natural artistic flair led to his business Handcrafted by Noah. He is a third generation woodworker. Mynes interest in the craft came through his grandfather and great-grandfather. Mynes' great-grandfather was a professional cabinet maker and his grandfather built furniture.

As a teenager, while working with his grandfather on attaching a deck skirt, Mynes learned valuable lessons in using power tools and a table saw “It was all very cool.” Mynes said. His interest in woodworking grew and so did using the tools that make it all happen.

Building cabinets were not Mynes' future, “You're doing the same thing over and over again,” he said, “creative freedom can lead to happy accidents such as one of a kind wood objects.” This leeway led to Mynes' first happy accident, a charcuterie board. Using tools left to him by his grandfather and wood from a friends garage, Mynes found his calling. According to Mynes website, he sold enough boards at the end of one year to start a business.

Small bowls, sized for the charcuterie boards, followed soon thereafter. Mynes uses burl wood for boards and bowls, because of its unusual grain. “Burl wood hasn't grown correctly creating exciting beauty just like a happy accident,” he said. A splash of colored epoxy completes the one of a kind designs. The boards and bowls are both food safe.

Wall hangings, coasters and custom coffee tables are some of Mynes' other compositions.The coffee tables are unique and beautiful. The combination of colored epoxy, which forms the table, and a large cross section of sliced wood placed on the table top produces an extraordinary work of functional art.

Mynes' creations bring the outdoors in. He uses walnut, silver maple, oak and poplar for his products; supplied by two sawmills located in Johnstown and Mt.Vernon.

Mynes website states his Mother Tammy Mynes serves as a partner by marketing and taking custom orders. Together they attend many art shows for inspiration and what's new in the woodworking world. Mynes' original wood creations were available at Winter Fair in 2021-2022, Summer Fair in Cincinnati and for the first time, at the 2023 Columbus Art Festival this June. Several other Central Ohio art festivals are also scheduled including The Delaware Arts Festival. “I enjoy seeing what others are doing,” he said. Mynes draws inspiration from other artists, while doing his own wood interpretation.

Mynes says there's nothing he enjoys more that woodworking. “I enjoy doing it. I don't know what I would do if I wasn't doing this, along with my Mom's creative involvement,” he said, “there's a camaraderie among woodworkers.”

Check out Noah's website: www.handcraftedbynoah.com  

The 48th Delaware Arts Festival opens May 20-21, 2023. Two days full of family fun; featuring 174 artisans showing their original art work, stilt walkers, bands and good food for all.

Kicking off the event, at 11:00 am, are the Capital City Pipes and Drums, marching up Sandusky Street to Central Avenue. After marching back to city hall, the group continues to perform.

Also at city hall, on Saturday at 12 noon, Delaware County Juvenile Court Judge David A. Hejmanowski presents the three visual arts scholarship awards. The honorees are; Cate Crowell, Olentangy Liberty High School first place, Chase Wahlund Olentangy Liberty High School second place, and Elizabeth Weinberger Olentangy Orange High School third place.

Parking this year is less problematic with a shuttle addition. Festival pick up is at the Hayes County Court House parking lot located on Union Street. Drop off is at William and Sandusky Streets. Pick up starts at 11 am and stops shortly before festival closing each day.

Delaware County school art teachers and non-profit community organizations are festival beneficiaries through the visual arts grant and scholarship programs.

Mary Ellen Kelly, in 2009, started the grant program. “I thought it would be a great thing for the community and the schools to promote the visual arts,” she said. Kelly stated she always had an interest in the arts and wanted to make visual art funds available to teachers and non-profits.She realized school budgets aren't always big enough to cover extra art project expenses. This spurred her on to try and start a grant program in coordination with the arts festival committee. “I love the arts and the idea of the grants for schools and community organizations would be a good idea. Other festival committee members thought it was a good idea too,” she said. Through the grants, Kelly accomplished her goal of helping Delaware County schools and organizations. Now, after 25 years, with the arts festival committee, she has decided to retire. Arts festival secretary Sherry Riviera said, “I was always impressed with how well Mary Ellen ran the grant program. She was always open and inclusive with the applicants requests, while awarding the festival funds carefully and fairly.”

Grant funds, available each year, total $10,000. Each individual award is between $200 to $2000. Delaware County art teachers and community organizations are eligible to apply every year whether or not they've received a previous grant. Some application questions can include, how the art student’s education would be improved with the grant funds. Also, how is the finished project presented to the student's school and/or the Delaware community. Estimated project expenses are part of all considerations. A six member grant committee, including artists and retired art educators, reviews the applicants and votes on the grant's recipients. This year's applications are emailed to all teachers by August 31, reply's are due on September, 30 and awards are presented by October 15, 2023.

Recipients for 2022 grants are: Jennilyn Haer, Big Walnut Intermediate School, received $1,285 for block printing supplies. Shannon Mitchell, Olentangy Liberty High School, received $940 for two year digital subscription to the Metalsmith Academy. Kim Roberts, Ventures Academy received $987for two 3D printers and a Cricut Maker 3 machine. Jennifer Sosa, Olentangy High School, received $1,998 for two Cricut Maker 3 machines, accessories and printing materials. Sara Butler, Olentangy Berlin High School, received $1,500 for a new pottery wheel, including splash pans and pedal. MaryAnn Davis, The Women's City Club, received $500 for face paints, scissors, markers and other supplies used for the club's activity booth at the 2023 Delaware Arts Festival.

This year’s 44th Delaware Arts Festival will be held on Saturday and Sunday, May 20-21.

“Beautiful white tents will be filled with artists, brimming over with paintings, sculpture, fiber art, jewelry designers, wood art and ceramics. There will be something for everyone that you absolutely can’t live without,” a news release states.

The artists exhibiting are from Ohio and several other states, some are new artists to the festival and many are talented artisans who have been exhibiting here for several years. There will be information booths for the Delaware County Historical Society, Delaware Library, Andrews House, Delaware Gazette and others.

Face painting and other activities are planned that weekend, organizers said.

This year, the Scholarship Committee is awarding scholarships totaling $20,000 to three talented and aspiring students. The presentation ceremony will be at The Plaza Saturday at 1 p.m.

The Food Street will be full of food trucks that will bring wonderful food with some new and different trucks to tickle any palate.

New this year, the entertainment will be held at “The Plaza,” the town square next to Amato’s Woodfired Pizza.

“We have a great family-friendly lineup that should appeal to all.”

The festival will open on Saturday with the award winning AFJROTC Color Guard marching on Sandusky Street. Then begins the music with a tour of the 50s and 60s thru bluegrass and then oldies to current pop.

Sunday, the festival opens with the Columbus Police & Fire Bagpipe Band who will march north and south on Sandusky Street ending at The Plaza for a short concert.

Next is a an acoustic eclectic mix, followed by the 60s & 70s. The festival ends with a magical performance by magician Magic Nate.