GRAND FORKS — From jewelry to photography and prints to fabrics, ArtFest had something for everyone who stopped by University Park on Saturday.
Attendees milled about enjoying coffee, lemonade and snacks from local food trucks as they navigated the maze of vendor booths. A number of patrons brought dogs of all shapes and sizes, and some stopped to listen to live music.
In the community room, Jessica Barron was preparing to get to work on a print. She and other University of North Dakota students had been invited to set up shop for the art festival’s two days. Though her emphasis is in painting, she’s been giving printmaking a try.
“I have a couple of little fun summer designs that I’m doing,” she said. “This is my first time doing something like this, so I’m interested to see what the community here in Grand Forks is like. So far, I’ve been really impressed. They seem to really enjoy their local artists.”
, which opened Saturday and closes Sunday, brought more than 80 booths to University Park. Michael Conlan, an assistant professor of visual arts at UND, said he was contacted by Public Arts Commission curator Vickie Arndt to see if he was interested in having students put up exhibitions, like a gallery space, in the community room. Conlan set up a pop-up studio to give students an opportunity to work in a free space for the weekend.
Delaney Otto / Grand Forks Herald
“We invited about 10,” Conlan said. “I think it’s great for the students to get that experience in how to make work for the public, not just for their professors or their classes. And then how to get out there and do some networking.”
Fellow assistant professor of visual arts Vitoria Faccin-Herman said she and the students were focusing on prints, such as linocuts and posters.
“Whatever the students want to do,” she said.
Deanna Bartel, who has just graduated with a degree in visual arts, was working on printmaking and debated whether to make a linocut or stencil print.
“Can’t say no to printmaking for two days straight,” she said.
Outside in the fresh air, Margaret Robb spoke to customers about her fused glass and dichroic glass jewelry. Fuse Me Glass began with her and a friend to pay for Robb’s son’s student loan when he went to college about 25 years ago, and has grown from there. Coming from the Brainerd area in Minnesota, Robb comes to Grand Forks as her daughter lives in the area. As for ArtFest itself, Robb keeps coming because she appreciates how the organization focuses on making sure the vendors’ wares are handmade.
Delaney Otto / Grand Forks Herald
And the park setting is ideal, she said.
“I love the area,” she said. “The park is just gorgeous.”
Delaney Otto / Grand Forks Herald
The event as a whole encapsulates the community, said Jack Sandvig. Sandvig, who has an internship with the Public Arts Commission this summer and is acting as an assistant event coordinator for ArtFest, said he wanted to get involved. It’s a prime neighborhood community present, he said, and each booth has a different personality.
“How can you not feel just happy looking around seeing all these dogs, tails wagging, these kids playing?” he said. “The big thing that I love about this is the creative expression.”
The event will continue on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Delaney Otto / Grand Forks Herald
Delaney Otto / Grand Forks Herald
Otto is the region reporter for the Grand Forks Herald.
