This is the fourth of a series of guest columns that highlight the upcoming second annual Austin ArtWorks Festival

By Janet Anderson

Austin ArtWorks Festival

The second Annual Austin Artworks Festival is this Saturday and Sunday, and organizers are making good on promise to make it even bigger and better with growth to more than 200 artists, crafters, performers and authors. Bruce Loeschen, talented local artist, took on the daunting role of Participant Committee Co-Chair with Kandace Feist, which meant leading a small army of dedicated volunteers. As a result, Bruce was able to direct much of his extraordinary expertise and energy toward coordinating visual artists and craftspeople, plus adding a third gallery. Loeschen also painted the festival committee caricatures peeking from windows throughout downtown Austin. They achieve the goal of creating awareness about the festival and it’s fun to guess who’s who. Keep in mind that a distinctive pose or what they are holding just might be helpful clues.

There are far too many participating visual artists and craftspeople in the three galleries to list everyone here. It’s best to go to the website at austinartworksfestival.org to explore the Turbine Gallery, Annex Gallery and 4th Avenue Gallery. All artists, performers and authors will also be listed in the festival program available on-site. Each one has some connection to Austin and most artwork will be for sale.

The Turbine Gallery will showcase professional artists and photographers. It is a homecoming for many from as far away as Florida for Eric Anfinson, Oregon for Phyllis Yes and North Carolina for Joseph Sand. And there will be lots of incredible talent from closer to home: Austin, Albert Lea, Lanesboro, Decorah, Minneapolis and more. Jean Formo will do calligraphy demonstrations on Saturday and others artists will be working on pieces during the Festival. The Turbine Gallery experience will be enhanced by its distinctive, historic appeal and beautiful instrumental music ranging from string groups and piano, to harp and hand bells and a global percussion performance by Austin native, Marc Anderson.

The Annex Gallery is filled with a fascinating mix of professional and amateur artists. Just two of many highlights are the return of glass blower Peter Waldman from New York City with his popular demonstrations. And new this year, Kyra Bellrichard will do pottery-making demonstrations.

The 4th Avenue Gallery was added to accommodate enthusiastic response. Look forward to an impressive variety of artistic expression from paintings and sketches to jewelry, custom bridal brooch bouquets, photo art prints and more. Take time to go to the Festival website and explore links to individual artists from all three galleries and see examples of their work.

“Brush the Beetle” is back by popular demand and yes, kids actually get to paint a Volkswagen bug. There are lots more hands-on arts activities and Matchbox Children’s Theatre will present a musical production of “Pinocchio” at 2 p.m. both days just a few blocks away in the Historic Paramount Theatre on Fourth Avenue Northeast.

Come and enjoy the Austin ArtWorks Festival from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24, and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday Aug. 25 at the Historic Power Plant in downtown Austin. Authors, artists, musicians and other performers will delight festivalgoers. A full schedule will be available on-site and on the website at austinartworksfestival.org. Admission is free to Austin Artworks Festival site at the Historic Downtown Power Plant, 105 4th Avenue NE. It’s a celebration of the arts … because art works!