For Immediate Release
Eighth annual Artworks offers music, art, wine/beer tasting, more
MATTOON — The eighth annual Mattoon Artworks has expanded to two days this year, on June 7-8 in Midtown Mattoon. Artworks is an event dedicated to the arts presented by the Mattoon Arts Council. Activities will be held at Heritage Park, 17th Street and Broadway Avenue, and at the Mattoon depot.
Event organizer Janahn Kolden said the arts council chose to begin the festival on Friday evening this year with an art exhibit in the Lone Elm Room of the Mattoon depot. The exhibit will take place during the Wine and Beer Tasting, sponsored by K.C. Summers and featuring the music of the Jay Ferguson Trio.
Mattoon Arts Coordinator Julia Degler-Whitmore said the winners of the arts council’s photo show, quilt show and 2D art show will be on display for public viewing both on Friday and Saturday in the Lone Elm Room. “It’s a perfect opportunity to showcase the talents of our local artists,” Whitmore said.
“We encourage everyone to stop by and view the artwork while enjoying the music.”
Entry to the Lone Elm Room on Friday evening will be open to only those 21 and older, as it will be held in conjunction with the Wine and Beer Tasting. But on Saturday, everyone will be welcome to view the exhibit.
Kolden said she started Artworks eight years ago because she wanted to give artists a place to showcase their talents and sell their work. Many artists will be on hand to give demonstrations and sell their wares, including woodworking, jewelry, paintings, decorative soaps, metal work, pencil art and more.
“I hope everyone will visit the artist booths and take a look at all of the fantastic art being created by people from our communities,” she said. “It’s a great place to buy a unique gift and support our area’s talented artists at the same time.”
Artists and crafters who would like to demonstrate and sell their works at Artworks may still register for a booth through May 24. For more information visit www.mattoonartscouncil.org.
Chalk artist Scott Barber will return this year to create another original artwork on the sidewalk in front of the Mattoon depot. Attendees can watch throughout the day as his masterpiece comes together.
Also returning this year will be “glampers” – vintage decorated campers – which will be on display. I Sing the Body Electric will host an exhibit of middle school and high school art projects in at the Mattoon Area Family YMCA from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Coles County Historical Society exhibit, “Past to Present: Coles County Businesses and Industries,” will be open from 1-4 p.m. in the lower level of the depot.
Admission to Artworks is free. Food vendors will be available on site, offering tasty treats such as mini donuts, Hawaiian Ice, and more. On Friday evening, a variety of Mexican offerings will be provided by Don Sol.
Musicians performing on the Heritage Park stage on Saturday will be Performance Bands sponsored through Sound Source Music, including Amplified, The Legend 27, Anyone’s Guess and Vulfspieler. Dancers will include students from Margene’s Dance Studio, members of the MHS dance team, and students from DanceLife Studio.
In the Lone Elm Room, performers will include the Irish Music Circle, the Mattoon Community Band, and an open mic sponsored by Sound Source Music.
In addition, a variety of free craft activities for kids will be offered from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., including rock painting, face painting, tie dying, scarf making, bookmarks, chalk art and more.
For the fifth year, Artworks will include a wine and beer tasting showcasing Fox Creek Vineyards from
Olney, craft beers from Koerner Distributing and wine from County Market. The wine and beer tasting will be in the Lone Elm Room of the depot from 6-10 p.m. Friday, with live music by the Jay Ferguson Trio. Entrance to the wine tasting will be $5, plus another $5 to receive a commemorative glass and six tastings (must be age 21 to enter).
Artworks has been made possible in part because of generous community donors, including K.C. Summers, Common Links, Niemeyer Kubota Sales, and Sound Source Music. Activity co-sponsors include the Mattoon Public Library, Coles County Historical Society, Artsy Chic Boutique, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Walk to End Alzheimers Team, Douglas-Hart Nature Center and Charleston Dog Club.
For more information on Artworks or the Mattoon Arts Council, call 258-6286, visit mattoonartscouncil.org or find MAC on Facebook or Twitter.
2019 Artworks Schedule of Events
Friday, June 7
Lone Elm Room (inside train depot)
6-10 p.m., wine and beer tasting, $10/$5 entry fee, must be 21 to enter
6-10 p.m., art show
6-10 p.m., music by Jay Ferguson Trio
Saturday, June 8
Heritage Park
10 a.m.-2 p.m., art and food vendors open
10 a.m.-2 p.m., make-and-take art activities
10 a.m.-2 p.m., chalk artist Scott Barber demonstration
10 a.m.-2 p.m., “Glampers” on display
10-10:45 a.m., dance performances by Mattoon High School Wavettes and Margene’s Dance Studio
11 a.m.-1 p.m., music by Sound Source Youth Performance Bands
1-2 p.m., dance performances by DanceLife Center
Lone Elm Room (inside train depot)
10 a.m.-2 p.m., art show
10-11 a.m., music by Mattoon Community Band
11 a.m.-noon, performances by Sound Source Youth Open Mic
Noon-2 p.m., music by Irish Music Circle
