This is the final story in a series of guest columns that highlight the upcoming second annual Austin ArtWorks Festival.

There are many great reasons to attend the Artworks Festival this Saturday and Sunday at the Historic Downtown Power Plant on Fourth Avenue Northeast. This unique regional arts festival will celebrate the talents of more than 200 artists, craftspeople, authors, musicians and other performers. Admission to the family-friendly festival is free.

Here’s something to add to your must-see list. Austin Public Library is displaying their Heritage Edition of the Saint John’s Bible in the Turbine Gallery, and Docents will be there with details. You will be amazed by this full-size fine art reproduction of the original masterpiece. Each of the seven volumes is approximately 2 feet tall by 3 feet wide when open, and weighs between 13 and 20 pounds. In 1998, the Saint John’s Benedictine monastery in Collegeville Minnesota commissioned the first handwritten and illuminated Bible since the invention of the printing press. A limited number of these signed and numbered editions have been produced, and this copy was a gift to the Austin Library. On Saturday only, Jean Formo will do calligraphy demonstrations in the Turbine Gallery. She has been a calligrapher and lettering artist since 1976, and her work appears in regional and national exhibitions and is published in art books and calendars.

More demonstrations will be a big draw in the Annex Gallery both days by glass blower Peter Waldman and Kyra Bellrichard at her potter’s wheel. And you are likely to see other artists at work throughout the Festival in all three galleries. Look forward to plenty of hands-on arts activities for kids in addition to the popular Brush the Beetle attraction. Get ready for sculptures, bubbles, drawing and fun!

Another new feature will be AMCAT bus tours every hour on the hour, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday courtesy of the Austin Convention & Visitors Bureau. See the paintings in store windows promoting the Festival. The route goes down Main Street to the Spam Museum, on to St. Augustine Church where Pacelli is celebrating its 100th Anniversary and rolls by the Hormel Historic Home, Hardy Geranium and Farmers’ Market. The driver will stop at any point so that riders can get off the bus to visit sites, stores and restaurants along the route. For those who stay on the bus, the guided tour will take about 45 minutes. Get more details on Festival grounds.

Remember, the fun continues into Saturday night. Follow the Festival flags down Main Street to Marcusen Park for the double headliner concert. The gates open at 6 p.m. Bring chairs or choose bleacher seating. Martin Zellar and the Hardways play at 7:30 and Cloud Cult at 9:30 p.m. with a fireworks finale. Tickets are on sale on the Festival website and at Marcusen Park on Saturday night.

Be sure to pick up the ArtWorks Festival schedule on-site to keep track of what, when and where things are happening on two stages, in author space and three art galleries. Go to website for details at austinartworksfestival.org. While there, choose the KSMQ TV link on the Festival home page to watch segments from “Off 90” programs on these Festival participants; Amanda Hocking, Eric Anfinson, Sena Ehrhardt, James Wegner, Bruce Loeschen plus the St. John’s Bible. Join the fun this Saturday and Sunday. The exciting Austin ArtWorks Festival is a celebration of the arts … because art works!

— Janet Anderson,
Austin ArtWorks Festival