Art festival, Bazaar deemed a success

Mother Nature cooperated beautifully this past weekend for the third annual Fall into Arts art festival and the 23rd annual Presbyterian Bazaar. Abundant sunshine, cooler temperatures and lots of entertainment made for a great weekend for attendees.

Kicking off the festivities at 7 p.m., on Friday, Sept. 7, was the SEMO Little Theater's production of Agatha Christie's "Witness for the Prosecution." To lend realism to the play, the setting was an actual courtroom in the Dunklin County Courthouse and according to Steve Sokoloff, president of KAFTA (Kennett Alliance for the Arts), the play was deemed a success. As well as the showing on Friday, there was a repeat showing held Saturday, for those who didn't catch it the first night. Cast members included Karen Hunter Krueger, Matt Jackson, Mark Krueger, Bill Jones, Jared Wilkerson, Debby Milburn, Melba Grisham Davis, Helen Casper and Stephen Sokoloff.

And the play was just the beginning of a fun weekend that would continue through 5 p.m., on Sunday.

Bright and early on Saturday, Sept. 8, people began lining up on the Presbyterian Church's lawn, eager to be the first one to grab that special treasure. When at 10 a.m., the doors finally opened, crowds of people made their way to the many books and flea market items on sale. From Christmas items to household wares, toys for the kids, purses and jewelry, the flea market was the place to be.

Ready for pickup were the Boston Butts and pork loins that members of the Presbyterian Church began cooking on Friday evening. According to Reverend Missy Rose, there was some worry about the weather but volunteers continued working through the night readying the food for pickup the following day.

One of the entertainers providing entertainment during the morning hours on the lawn was Scott Myatt of Jackson, Tenn. Myatt is an art teacher, artist, and a musician and was also one of the scheduled performers at the Fall into Arts Festival as well.

Also performing several tunes on the bag pipes were several members of the NEA Caledonian Bagpipers from Jonesboro, Ark., also performers at the art festival. When time came for their appearance at the arts festival, the entire ensemble assembled together on Main Street, and marched to the arts festival, playing their bagpipes all the way. The sidewalks were lined with people eager to watch and listen.

For those who chose to eat their lunch at the bazaar, the Presbyterian Activity Center was filled volunteers ready to serve you with some good tasting barbecue. On hand to entertain was Everett Mobley as well as the group "White Bread," the church's own gospel singers.

The Presbyterian Bazaar has always been known for the many good cooks it has and they began early this year baking the many casseroles and baked goods that were for sale in the bakery this year.

Every year, there are also items that are raffled off and this year was no different. This year's items included an autographed Sheryl Crow T-shirt which was won by Martha Mobley, a gift certificate to Sissy's Bella Cuisine which was won by Parker McClain, and a quilt which was won by Freddie Sokoloff.

When asked for comments regarding this year's event, Bernice Crow, coordinator for the event said, "The Presbyterian Church Bazaar on Saturday, Sept. 8, was one of the most successful in the 23 years of the event. Large crowds enjoyed the music of visiting artist, Scott Myatt, of Jackson, Tenn., and the Northeast Ark. Caledonians playing bagpipes on the lawn. The musicians who came for the Fall into Arts Festival shared their talents in the morning with the church projects. The cafe served a barbecue sandwich lunch to many customers who appreciated local entertainers in the Presbyterian Activity Center. Many casseroles and bakery goods were sold in the bakery and the attraction, the special barbecued meat. All in all, it was a huge success and will help support our local causes." Proceeds will go toward the Firelight Summer Daycare Program, the United Way, the Community Garden, and the care of the Presbyterian Activity Center.

Continuing with the activities for the weekend was the third annual Fall into Arts Festival which was held this past Saturday and Sunday. The two day event was sponsored by the City of Kennett, Mitchell Health Mart and Downtown Kennett and was presented by KAFTA, a non-profit organization comprised of the Friends of Music, the CottonBoll Artist League and the SEMO Little Theater.

During the two day event, attendees were treated to a variety of activities which included entertainment from Myatt and the Caledonian Bagpipers as well as the Scott Davis Trio which featured Steve Davis, Gary "El Buho" Gazaway, Michael Cates and Matt Jackson. All performers played both days.

Many booths were set up outside on the square as well in some stores selling a variety of items which included jewelry, quilts, baby items, kitchen items and artwork, etc. Also, for the children was a face painter who left her designs on a lot of happy kids faces!

Different vendors were also set up on the square selling food and beverages. Included were St. Cecilia's Women with root bear and coke floats, fried pies, and cookies, HOPE Resource Center with hot dogs, Kennett round steak, water, chips, and candy bars, YUIC (church youth group), with cotton candy, Redeemer Lutheran Church with popcorn, canned soda, and corn dogs, Paradise Donuts with donuts and sandwiches, Chris Droke with gumbo, Kennett Robotics Club (youth) with walking tacos, tea and water, Kennett Jaycees and Southern Sno with ice cream, smoothies and shaved ice.

Concerning the adult and youth art competition, the following is a list of the winning entries:

Youth Art Competition: Best of Show

* Art- "Untitled" by Alexi Vaughn of New Madrid County Central;

* Photography- "Oh, No Joe!" by Luke Jones of Kennett;

Painting:

* First Place- "Dream Path" by Whitney Williams of NMCC;

Graphic Arts:

* First Place- "Color of the Soul" by Destiny Riddle of Kennett;

* Second Place- "Flawless" by Kyleigh Putham of NMCC ;

* Third Place- "Rainy Night" by Tripp Keene of NMCC;

Honorable Mention- "Commitment" by Kyleigh Putnam, NMCC;

Honorable Mention- "Untitled" by Parker McClain, Kennett;

Honorable Mention- "The Marine Corp" by Austin Roberts, Kennett;

Color Photography:

* First Place- "Love" by Sarah Williamson, NMCC;

* Second Place- "Horse of Course" by Susan Cummins, NMCC;

* Third Place- "Daybreak" by Sarah Williamson, NMCC;

Photography: Portrait

* First Place- "Oh, No Joe!" by Luke Jones, Kennett;

* Second Place- "George and The Bot" by Jackson Britt, Kennett;

* Third Place- "Dalton Fixes the Bot" by Garrett Donehoo, Kennett;

Photograpy: Black and white

* First Place- "Study of a Launcher" by Joe Mobley, Kennett;

* Second Place- "Bot Takes a Walk" by Joe Mobley, Kennett;

* Third Place- "What's it Picking Up" by Blake Padrones, Kennett;

Total prize money awarded in the Youth art division totaled $680, according to Libby Mobley, coordinator for the competition.

Judging the youth competition in art was Susan Baker and Matt Howard in photography.

Winners in the adult division included the following:

Painting:

* First Place- "Jungle Beauty" by Barbara Ross;

* Second Place- "Recovery" by Jo Miles;

* Third Place- "Garland of Beauty" by Barbara Ross;

Graphics:

* First Place- "All about you My Love" by Yenifer Sanchez;

* Second Place- "Arrangement by the Surf" by Inga Eubanks;

* Third Place- "Petey" by David Mason;

3D:

* First Place- "Lady" by Susan Baker;

* Second Place- "Aunt Yolee" by Mary Jo Byrd;

Photography: Portrait

* First Place- "You are my Sunshine" by Les Hampton Photography;

* Second Place- "Vintage Baby" by Shutter Attraction Photography;

* Third Place- "Tire Swing Bliss" by Shutter Attraction Photography;

Photography: Color Category

* First Place- "Farmer's Daughter" by Shutter Attraction Photography;

* Second Place- "Beach Bird" by Jason Scherer;

* Third Place- "Bridal Veil Fall" by Steve Sokoloff;

Photography: Black and White

* First Place- "Calm Before Storm" by Les Hampton Photography;

* Second Place- "Sweet Dreams" by Shutter Attraction Photography;

* Third Place- "Lava Flow" by Steve Sokoloff;

Best of Show in the Painting Division went to "Jungle Beauty" by Barbara Ross and in the Photography Division Best of Show went to "Calm Before Storm" by Les Hampton Photography.

Judging in the Adult Division was done by Melissa Wilkinson, assistant professor of art and painting at Arkansas State University at Jonesboro and a published professional photographer who prefers to remain anonymous. Total prize money given out was $1,110.

Steve Sokoloff, president of KAFTA, commented on this past weekend, "We are very happy with how the festival went. Everyone who attended had a great time. The only disappointment is that more people didn't get to share in the fun. Great music, great food, lots of fun, things to do, great art and photography, and, even if I do say so, as a cast member, a successful play," Witness for the Prosecution." We appreciate the support of the City of Kennett, Mitchell HealthMart and all of our sponsors. Lots of people volunteered a lot of hard work to make this event a success. We are already starting to plan how to make next year's festival an even bigger success. We are looking for more volunteers to help with planning and organizational tasks to accomplish that. Anyone wishing to participate can contact me or any KAFTA board member, or they can go to our website: www.kafta.org or go to contact and get contact information."

Those organizations and businesses that have supported the Fall into Arts Festival include,

23rd annual Presbyterian Bazaar, Downtown Kennett Merchants, Mitchell Health Mart, The City of Kennett, Downtown Revitalization Program, Senath State Bank, PrismaPixel Graphic Design Studio, Patti Riggs and the Kennett License Office, First National Bank, Schilp Dodge, the Kennett Jaycees, Dunklin County Caring Council, Dunklin County Commissioner Office, Darren S. Roberts, Bradley Distributing Company, Southern Bank, Opera House, McClain Mini Storage, The Paint Store, The Byrd's Nest, Bob Hancock/Gamble Printing, Kennett Community Development Corporation, Kennett Chamber of Commerce, Kennett Community Farmers Market, CLGW, the Park Board, the Kennett Police Department and the Daily Dunklin Democrat.

* Some information has been sourced from a previous Daily Dunklin Democrat article.