Local art festival promotes creativity

The 51st Lynchburg Art Festival took place at E.C. Glass High School Sept. 21 with the purpose of showcasing local artistic talent. Over 100 artists were able to display their work in a variety of media.

The show was split into two categories: the adult category and the youth category. Each brought different art styles and life experiences to the event. Displays were set up in a loose curated museum style that took attendees from one art form to the next.

Oil paintings displaying landscapes were positioned right next to pictures of the solar system, parallel to wooden sculptures and welded abstract pieces. Watercolor, acrylic paintings, hand drawn works and photography were included as well. Each booth enabled viewers to have a peek inside various artists’ minds and life experiences. 

The show gave the community a chance to share and sell their art, meet new people and experience community on a warm September morning. 

“I’ve met so many cool artists today, and I’ve gotten to walk around and see so much beautiful art. I think it really has built a community,” first-time participant Kaia Frana said. 

Mingled together were citizens looking for a place in the community along with those who have been participating in the show for decades.    

“I’ve been doing the art show every year since 2005,” Mark Johnson, a 19-year participant of the art show, said. “I’ve met a lot of great artists here.” 

All artists vied for prizes sponsored by the community and local businesses, ranging from $100 to $1,000. The festival gave away a total of $7,000 from its awards.

The Lynchburg Art Festival revealed the contest’s winners in a Sept. 23 social media post. According to the Facebook post, Theresa Conklin, a resident of Spout Spring, was deemed Best in Show with her oil painting “Ballad of Benevolence.” Conklin was awarded the Rosalie Loving Short Memorial Award, which included a $1,000 cash prize.

Wilson is a news reporter for the Liberty Champion.