The Northwoods Arts Council will host artists and authors at the 24th annual Northwoods Art and Book Festival from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 10, in Hackensack.
More than 60 artists will showcase their talents in a variety of media: paint, metal, clay, wood, jewelry and wearable fiber. Artists new to the festival include Randy Napier, nature photographer from South Dakota; S.S. Baits with one-of-a-kind fishing lures; and Linda Holliday, functional pottery. Returning artists include David Barthel, North Shore images; wildlife artist Jerry Raedeke; Becky and Bob Seeman (Artwoods), nature oriented silver jewelry and rustic furniture and accessories; Emily Gray Koehler, printmaker; and Barbara Robertson, precious metal, clay and custom design jewelry.
Matt Swenson will return with Baxter, the Minnesota Art Truck, a mobile art studio. This is not a food truck but one stocked with an assortment of one-of-a-kind art to sell from Midwest artists.
There will be colored hair extensions by local hairstylist Auna Brule, face painting, freehand art and a make-and-take lake arts project available for kids. An art exhibit by Walker-Hackensack-Akeley students in grades 7-12 will be held outside the entrance of the community building.
The Lions will have the kids vision screening inside the community center.
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Unique to the festival are the book arts. More than 30 Minnesota authors covering a variety of literary genres will sign and sell their books. Returning authors include Candace Simar, historical fiction; Rosemary Vaughn, historical romance; Barbara Schlichting, mystery and children's books; Colin Mustful, historical fiction; and Gene Stark, Minnesota special interest books.
Authors new to the festival include Carissa Andrews, international best-selling Indie author young adult Sci-Fi/fantasy/dystopian mix series; Susan Wardell, children's picture book; Becky Flansburg, nonfiction and children's book; and Steven Keillor (brother of Garrison Keillor), who writes books on Minnesota history.
A panel of three mystery writers - Christine Husom, Pat Dennis and Marlene Chabot - from the Twin Cities chapter Sisters in Crime will speak on the featured topic Murder She Writes Again and Again.
Wayne and the Boys will provide music. There will be many food options, including The Church Pie Ladies serving fruit pie a la mode with coffee or lemonade. The group is represented by four local churches: United Congregational, The Lighthouse, Sacred Heart and St. Paul’s Lutheran.
NAC's Art and Book Festival is a free event making the arts accessible to all. For more information, visit northwoodsartscouncil.org and look for festival brochures and posters.
