Midsummer Arts Faire June 23-25, 2006
Friday: 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. / Saturday: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. / Sunday: 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

No matter what the weather, the Midsummer Arts Faire will offer cool art, entertainment, food and fun in Washington Park on June 23-25 in Quincy, Illinois

Now in its third year, the juried fine art festival will include more than 40 artists from six states who will exhibit, demonstrate and sell their work. Faire-goers will enjoy watercolors, oils, acrylics, drawings, collage, printmaking, ceramics, jewelry, photography, fiber arts, glass, iron sculpture and more.

The faire opens Friday evening in harmony with downtown’s “Blues in the District” concert series from 5:00 to 9:00pm. While the Kilborn Alley Blues Band from Champaign, Illinois puts its unique spin on classic Chicago-style blues, artisans from Southern Illinois University will fire up “Aunt Gladys,” a mobile glass blowing studio that will provide continuous demonstrations on Saturday and Sunday.

On Saturday morning, stop by Farmers Market at the Oakley-Lindsay Center south parking lot or pick up a morning beverage from one of the many downtown coffee shops before the faire opens at 10am.

The food court, featuring local flavor and bistro-style seating, is a great place to relax and enjoy continuous entertainment at the faire. Five local vendors will serve a variety of foods including grilled marinated turkey sandwiches, grilled pork chop sandwiches, gourmet sides, and homemade summer desserts. Entertainment includes jazz, classical piano, and Celtic music.

At 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, attention shifts to the Showmobile stage at 5th and Hampshire for a 45 minute performance by the Ballroom Dance Company from Brigham Young University. Lawn chairs are recommended to watch the performance, and a sense of adventure is recommended to participate in the group dance lesson that will follow!

The bandstand will be transformed into a childrens’ art gallery on Saturday and Sunday where children may purchase works of art donated by local and art faire artists for $10.00 or less. Parents are not allowed in the gallery, but volunteers will supervise. This is an opportunity for children to develop their own personal taste in art. Hands on art activities will be offered throughout the day on Saturday and Sunday, and other activities like story time and magic shows are scheduled as well.

The Gardner Museum of Architecture and Design will offer its second annual downtown Great Spaces tour on Saturday afternoon from 3 to 5pm, and the University of Illinois Extension Master Gardner Tours will take place from 9am to 1pm.

Interaction is what an arts festival is all about. Come and talk with the artists about their work. Many tri-state area artists will participate in the faire, and works by the Quincy Artists Guild and the Great River Watercolor Society will be on display at the Granite Bank Gallery, 428 Maine.

The Midsummer Arts Faire is made possible through the generous support of the Marion Gardner Jackson Trust Art Fund through the Quincy Society of Fine Arts, the Oakley-Lindsay Foundation, Mercantile Trust and Savings Bank, Refreshment Services Pepsi, the Illinois Arts Council, and dozens of business and individual sponsors throughout the community.

Schedule of Events

Friday, June 23
5:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Juried fine art exhibition and sale, “Blues in the District” featuring Kilborn Alley Blues Band, food by The Busy Bistro

Saturday, June 24
10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Juried fine art exhibition and sale
SIU Mobile Glass Blowing Studio
Children’s Gallery, Activities
Food Court

7:00 a.m. to noon
Farmers Market Civic Center South Parking Lot

9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Illinois Master Gardners Garden Tours – various locations

10:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Magician J.W. Sternickle, Children’s Area

10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Story Time Tent

10:00 a.m. to Noon
Jason Dugger and Audra Segal, jazz piano and vocals

Noon to 1:00 p.m.
Ned Behrensmeyer, piano

1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
BYU Ballroom Dance Company, Showmobile Stage
Bring lawn chairs.

2:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Ballroom Dance Lesson by BYU Dancers, Showmobile Stage

2:30 p.m. to 4:30p.m.
Ben Bumbry and the Messengers, jazz combo

3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Gardner Museum’s Great Spaces Tour-various downtown buildings

4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
River’s Edge, Celtic music

Sunday, June 25
11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Juried fine art exhibition and sale
SIU Mobile Glass Blowing Studio
Children’s Gallery, Activities
Food Court

11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Bill Morrison Music Company, jazz combo

2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
River’s Edge, Celtic music

3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Ned Behrensmeyer, piano