Festival brings weekend of art, music enjoyed by locals, visitors, exhibitors

Artist Kathy Cuiffiof Covington paints a portrait of Preston Sanders as his wife, Dr. Katherine Sanders works on her own painting at an adjoining booth. Artists and their works filled The Square all weekend. It was close to heaven as you'll get on The Square - folks enjoying fine art while talking with the artists, and both the sound of hot jazz and the smell of great cooking filled the spring air.

This weekend's annual three-day Washington-Wilkes Festival of Music and Art brought hundreds of visitors to town to see a wide range of art and artists and hear music and musicians from all types of music. And they stayed to shop, dine, and enjoy Washington.

Musicians like the Carpenter Ants and Kitt Lough kept the music hot at The Jockey Club and The Court Street Livery, and brought the sounds of gospel music to The Square on Sunday. Guitarist Daniel Mack and harpist Ginny Coe played at Watchmaker's Restaurant and the Mayflower Coffee Shop. ARGO, and Lough entertained the members of the arts foundation at a concert Friday night.

While music was being performed at various venues, an Artists' Market featuring original art works and fine handmade crafts by well-known artists filled The Square on Saturday and Sunday. Art lovers enjoyed - and bought - art by Dolores McAvoy and art students; James Trimm of the Purple Palette and students; Ann Lanier of Augusta and Ann's daughter, Kay Odell, and Ann's young granddaughters, Hattie and Grace Odell (who sell under the name HOGO).

Ericka Locklear was the first grade winner in the foundation's art contest. Featured artist Larry Wheeler held an open studio on Water Street Saturday, allowing fans of his equine art a chance to browse and talk with the artist.

Craftsman Freddie Gunter said that his handmade cast concrete items sold well. "Yeah, a lot of people have been by, and quite a few bought something. It's been a good day," he said.

Ashley Duncan, a young jewelry maker from Clarksville, created unique pieces of jewelry as attendees watched.

At special art booths Saturday, local children worked with volunteers to make paper flowers, sand sculptures, and other works of art.

Several young local musicians took advantage of music and arts workshops that gave them the opportunity to learn from ARGO, musicians from the University of West Florida. Students were given practice and breathing tips, learning techniques, and confidencebuilding advice. The students joined ARGO members in playing "When the Saints Go Marching In"at the end of the session. Ryan Dukes, W-WCHS band director, attended the workshop with students Hayley Colvard, Evan Harrison, John Lovvorn, Rob Lovvorn, James McAvoy, Tiesha Owens, John Pope, Nicholas Reville, Dixie Lee Trimm, and Jessica Watson. Each student received a certificate of participation from the Washington Wilkes Arts Foundation.

Reyna Smith was the fourth grade winner for the W-WAF. In an effort to provide more opportunities and awareness of the arts, the Washington-Wilkes ArtsFoundation also sponsored an art contest for grades kindergarten through eighth grade. The Foundation's Polly Fievet announced that the winners were: Brittany McMahan, 7th grade; Maurice Stewart, 8th grade; Brittany Guin, 6th grade; Reyna Smith, 4th grade, and Ericka Locklear, 1st grade.

The works of the youth art contest winners and participants were displayed all weekend in the storefront of Dave's TV on The Square.