Neonjade

The Madison Street Festival in Madison, Alabama, 3 Oct 09, wore me out, but I sure had fun getting that way. I went to visit Artist Alley and was amazed by all the booths, vendor stands and entertainment. I managed to meet most of the participating artists, and some of the business and cause attendees. You’ll find my photos and scattered notes for the artists and a few community organizations below, along with contact information and web page links for those who had them.

Artists and Craftsmen

Patricia Hrivnak – A very talented and sweet lady! CJ of CJ’s Hair and Art Studio knew what she was doing by giving Ms. Hrivnak space in front of her shop!

CJ Denison Proprieter of CJ’s Hair and Art Studio. 105 E Church Street, Madison, AL 35758. CJ conducts Art classes at her studio. Harley on the Moon, below, is another example of her work.

Kim Johnson – Don’t Worry, Be Hippie Artisan jewelry, macrame and wire wrapping. Kim, like many of the jewelry, gemstone and mineral craftsmen at the fair that I spoke to said they aren’t part of the Huntsville Gem and Mineral Society, but that they would be shopping their big show at Von Braun Center next weekend.

Madison City Art Students – The student art tent was run by the Madison Arts Council. Amazing talent was displayed by the advanced art students. Many mediums were showcased. In one work of art, the “canvas” comprised recycled roofing materials that had been painted and secured to a board using a plastic sheet. Presentations ranged from whimsical, to realistic, to startlingly symbolic. I wish I could share some of the works, but regretfully, I didn’t chase down the possibility of gaining permissions (the artists themselves were not there).

Yuri Ozaki – Ozaki Fine Art displayed scenes local to Huntsville, Alabama. My first date with my husband occurred at The Kaffee Klatsch. We are celebrating our fifth wedding anniversary this month, and we bought one of Yuri’s nicely matted prints as a gift to ourselves. (shown below)

Jules Weber – Four Elements Art creates amazing sculptures and decorative containers from natural gourds; working out of her garage in Athens, Alabama. This year was Jules’s first art fair. Her enthusiasm for her craft radiated from her, warming all who stopped to speak with her.

Susan Clanton – Creativity runs in the family for Susan. In addition to her fine art display, she brought her father, who is a master story teller and aspiring novelist; man after my own heart.

Natalie Young – Fused Glass displayed fanciful bookmakers and trivets, and practical yet beautiful boxes and glassware.

Ray Gregory Jr. – Spero Pottery handcrafts and glazes all their pottery in a workshop behind their storefront in Corinth, Mississippi. This was The Gregorys’ first time at the Madison Street Festival Artist Alley.

Amy Wilburn – Amy Wilburn specializes in photos with special effects. She can normally be found in her very blue 3rd floor studio at the Lowe Mill Arts & Entertainment center on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday.

Rachel Lackey – Lovelikeariver at Etsy.com and another Lowe Mill Arts & Entertainment artist. Rachel’s work communicates great depth: most pieces are thought provoking, humorous or both. Some have literal depth, created by indented or raised media with stunning results. I’m really sad my photos don’t show it.

Jim Goshorn – Sculptor from Grant, Alabama. Jim used to be a painter, but he took one sculpting class and never looked back. He sculpts using mostly sheet steel. The color you see in some of his pieces is achieved with plaster or crayon.

Angela S True – Pick My Brains Art. I adore her landscapes and my husband wants to make off with all of her abstracts. Every painting is bright and cheery; full of energy and life. Angela also gifted me with an interview at her home the week following the festival: Profile of an Artist – Angela True.

Jim Burton – Jim is a prolific colored pencil artist. Jim displayed a large selection of print versions of his work, many in greeting card or handy accessory form.

Edward Myszka Jr – EM Wood Works. Ed’s daughter set us up with one of the brass cartridge pens shown below. I have a cousin that will love it. EM Wood Works specializes in hand-crafted pens in wood, brass, stainless steel and titanium. Ed also crafts many utility items in domestic and exotic hardwoods.

Paul Fulda – Watercolor artist. Paul’s selection of paintings included many fine pieces, but my favorite was Sunflowers and Goldfinch, which he was nice enough to stand by for me! The glare on the glass detracts a bit, but you can still get a feel for the work.

Bo & Debbie Borden – Cool Creek Jewelry Designs. Debbie started her day at 3am to attend Artist Alley, after just a couple of hours sleep to recover from her show on Friday! She must have been on her third wind as she cheerfully described the design of her unique handcrafted jewelry.

Anna Braden – Blue Harvest Art. Bright and whimsical cats, dogs, monkeys, birds and more formed a happy menagerie in Anna’s Display. You can see more of Anna’s paintings in the background of Debbie Borden’s picture.

Spencer N Laws – Artist working in oil, acrylic and pencil. Love the Big Easy feel of the top paintings next to the dreamy quality of the courthouse.

Robert Fortenberry – Wood crafts and lapidary. Robert brought an array of beautifully cut and polished semi-precious gemstones, geode slices and minerals.

James Sebastian – Stumpmen Taking wood crafts to a whole different dimension.

Billy Knox – Camping & Carving.
Before Billy lost his wife, their main activities were camping & carving. That’s him in the background. The expressions on the carved Indian busts are what make this display for me.

Community

The Mayor Mayor Paul Finley was available to answer questions all day. His booth was stacked with contact information and copies of Madison City brochures, maps, and city budgets.

Okinawan Festival Drums – Developed by warriors to continue martial arts training during a time that they were banned in Japan, Okinawan Festival Drums bring new meaning to the art of discipline. Several types of martial art demonstrations, presented by two different dojos, occurred over the course of the day.

Children’s Area – Young people thronged to the children’s art tent, leaving only once their hair had been painted in appropriately sparkly colors and they had at least one craft to carry home with them. The inflatable romper room on the back lawn looked pretty fun, too.

Madison Fire & Rescue