COUNTY — Hundreds of Valley residents showed up for the third annual Madera County ArtsFest on Saturday, May 14. Madera County Schools Foundation and Madera County Office of Education hosted the free family-friendly event promoting art in Madera County, held at Madera County Office of Education.
“We are happy to be able to support art in such a fun way for the families,” said Dr. Cecilia Massetti, Madera County Superintendent of Schools. “It was great to see so many children enjoying the free art activities, snow cones and popcorn.”
The event had hands-on art booths, live bands, live art demonstrators, face painting, opportunity drawings, free snow cones and popcorn. Steve Carney demonstrated his wood carving and Lupe Garcia demonstrated his metal sculpting. Angel Republic, Minarets High School and Thrive Fitness performed on the outdoor stage throughout the day. Children decorated flower pots, decorated visors, painted rocks and necklaces, drew chalk murals and swirled pool paintings.
The event was held in conjunction with a student art gallery. More than 225 students from 21 schools in Madera County participated in an art contest this spring. Artwork from students in kindergarten through high school was displayed in the student art gallery at ArtsFest. Students competed in separate divisions: K-3rd grade, 4th-6th grade, 7th-8th grade, and 9th-12th grade. They were also judged in separate categories: 2-dimensional art, 3-dimentional art and still photography.
Kaitlyn Fisher of Oak Creek Intermediate (OCI) School was a first place winner in her 2-dimensional division, 4-6, for “Asian Elephant.” Camille Fisher, also of OCI, was first place in her photography division, 4-6, for “Redwood Fire.”
Also from OCI in the photography division, 7-8, Angie Sampson received second place for “Eye of the World.”
For 3-dimensional, 7-8, Matthew Sheller and Morgan Pelowski of Spring Valley School took first and second place, respectively, each for a piece entitled, “Japanese Cherry Blossom.”
In grades 9-12, Yosemite High School’s (YHS) Claire Oetinger won first place for 2-dimensional, 9-12, with “Dreams.” Coming in next was YHS student Lily Kuykendall’s “Alexis” in the same category. Honorary mentions for other YHS students 9-12 include Isaac Rumohr for “Ansel Adams: A Legacy,” Mia Bullock for “Autumn Glory,” and Nathanial Schlepp for “De-Evolution, Beginning to End,” and Casey Williams for “Self-Portrait.”
“The art in the gallery this year demonstrated the quality of instruction going in on our schools. We look forward to increasing the number of students and schools participating next year,” said Massetti.
The Madera County Arts Council was a partner of this year’s event.
