Handmade for the future: Wishing Springs Arts and Crafts festival benefits nonprofit scholarship program – Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Bella Vista
It’s holiday season in the Ozarks with Halloween just around the corner, followed by Friendsgiving and Thanksgiving dinners in November and the whole winter holiday season with gifts, stocking stuffers and all things merry. Despite the lingering heat, local artisans are offering up provisions for the cozy season in an upcoming fall arts and crafts festival at Wishing Springs Gallery Oct. 16 through 18 in the grassy green fields behind the gallery in Bella Vista.
“I’m just excited about the number of vendors. This is the first time we’ve gone over 40. That offers the community a wide variety of selections,” says Rosie Floyd, an artist and festival administer for the gallery. “The artisan works that we host are handcrafted, original pieces,” she says. None of the vendors are offering resale.
Festival wares for sale include paintings, textiles, sculptures, pottery, jewelry, lamps, Halloween items, Christmas decor and so much more.
There’s also a lot of non-shopping related fun. The Sugar Creek Model Railroad and Historical Society will have a train display. Demonstrations on site will include blacksmithing, crochet, origami and stain glass/mosaics and others. Plein air painters will be set up around the grounds to capture the day.
There will be a Christmas and fall-themed a photo area, “so that you can get your Christmas pictures early,” says Floyd.
Live music takes place each day, featuring local groups the Highland Winds, Southern Strings Mountain Music, Lisa Ferguson, Ukes and Things, Bella Vista Jazz Messengers, Steven Crump and Glenda Sue Morris.
Attendance is free with proceeds benefiting the Artisan Alliance at Wishing Spring scholarship, which offers continuing support to high school students who pursue the arts in college. Floyd said the group also provides support to art teachers and school art programs through field trips and by funding art supplies.
A display of the art and photos of scholarship recipients is the first thing guests see when visitors walk through the red barn doors of the gallery at 8862 W. McNelly Road. The gallery features three floors displaying art by more than 40 local and regional artists and makers. Behind the gallery is the Clay Studio at Wishing Springs, which offers beginner through advanced classes.
Floyd suggests making a day of it.
“We have the the food vendors on site. We have children’s activities, all of that. Also, they can go around and look at the Mildred Cooper Chapel and the Bella Vista Historical Museum. There’s lots of bike and heights trails.”
Folks who attend via bike can hop off at Mile Marker 39 on the Wishing Springs Trail. Car parking is free at three lots.
Volunteer opportunities are still available, especially for high schoolers looking to fill community service hours. To sign up go to JustServe.org or email Floyd at [email protected].
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FAQ
Wishing Springs Arts and Crafts Festival
WHAT — The fall arts and crafts festival includes three days of local art and artisans, food trucks, live music from the Southern Strings, Highland Winds and others, a model train display from Sugar Creek Model Railroad Historical Society, demonstrations of blacksmithing, origami, crochet, mosaics and stained glass. There’s also a fall and Christmas photo area, games and more. Free and open to the public.
WHEN — 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 16-18
WHERE — Wishing Springs gallery, 8862 W. McNelly Road, Bella Vista.
INFO — artisanalliancews.com/festivals
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Monica Hooper is an award-winning features writer specializing in entertainment news for Northwest Arkansas and the River Valley. Since 2022, she has interviewed a diverse range of luminaries, including Fran Lebowitz, Herb Alpert, Carlos Santana, Ricky Skaggs, John Waters and Kristin Chenoweth. While she enjoys spotlighting these renowned figures, Monica’s true passion lies in celebrating the vibrant local arts scene. She delights in uncovering and showcasing the unique talents of the musicians, artists, dancers, writers and actors who enrich her community.
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