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2 • Exploring the Arts • News Graphic & Daily News • May 2021 By Eileen Mozinski Schmidt Special to Conley Media Art enthusiasts can look to Washington County in the coming months, as several area art fairs plan to resume annual outdoor events. In Richfield, Art at the Mill will return from 10 a.m. to 4 pm. Saturday, June 19. The art fair is held at Richfield Historical Park, 1896 Hwy 164. "We're excited about coming back. The artists are ecstatic about coming back," said Lois Hessenauer, treasurer of the Richfield Historical Society and co- chair of Art at the Mill, who said last year's event was canceled due to the pandemic. She said there are over 70 artists signed up for the 2021 fair, which is the event's capacity. It is the first time in planning Art at the Mill that there has been a waiting list of artists for the fair, Hessenauer said. Art at the Mill also includes vendors, live music, and a silent auction featuring the artists' work. La Cabana Mexican Grill will offer Mexican food for purchase, as well as burgers, hot dogs and other fare. Parking is free and admission is $2. There are wagon rides available from the parking area to the exhibitions. Attending artists are primarily from southeast Wisconsin, along with the Madison area and one from Chicago, according to Hessenauer. She said about two-thirds of this year's artists are new to Art at the Mill, which is a juried art and fine craft fair. "All of these artists, unless they're returning, had to send in pictures of their work and then it went to a juried committee" who judged based on the event's criteria, Hessenauer said. As an outdoor event, she said there is not a mask requirement, however masks will be available for those who would like them and social distancing will be encouraged. Art fans can also look forward to the return of Art & Chalk Fest in West Bend. The four-acre campus of the Museum of Wisconsin Art will again become the canvas for outdoor artists, according to a museum press release. The free, outdoor, live arts festival is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 21 to 22. New this year will be a concert in the MOWA Gardens Saturday night at 8 p.m., according to the museum. The festival "brings together a diverse pool of creatives in celebration," the museum release said. "For two jam-packed days, live art will animate the museum grounds." This includes: chalk artists creating large-scale compositions on 10 x 10 feet parcels of pavement, fine artists offering live demonstrations in plain-air painting, screen-printing, tintype photography, ceramic pottery and more. "Artisans working with flowers, henna, and origami will surprise with their unconventional creations. There will be caricature artists and balloon art innovations. Pop-up and strolling performances in fashion, dance, and spoken word will take place in various locations throughout the festival," the statement said. Museum organizers are expecting a "fun, engaging and singularly spectacular cultural event." The live music will be performed on the main stage in the hydrangea fields of the MOWA gardens and includes a lineup of Wisconsin bands and a mix of genres, including indie rock, folk, mainstream rock and punk polka, according to the release. The festival will also include a children's art activity area, food trucks and a beer garden. The festival and museum admission are free all weekend long. Festival organizers will take into consideration the need for more space for social distancing and increased sanitation procedures to "remain vigilant in whatever safety protocols we need to take at that time," the statement said. Art Appreciation Area art fairs planned for Richfield and West Bend this spring and summer Submitted photo Visitors at a previous Art at the Mill. This year's Art at the Mill will return from 10 a.m. to 4 pm. Saturday, June 19. There are over 70 artists signed up for the 2021 fair, which is the event's capacity, according to Lois Hessenauer, treasurer of the Richfield Historical Society and co-chair of Art at the Mill. Submitted photo Attendees at a previous Art at the Mill in Richfield look over artwork. This year, participating artists are "ecstatic about coming back," said Lois Hessenauer, treasurer of the Richfield Historical Society and co-chair of Art at the Mill, who said last year's event was canceled due to the pandemic. Submitted photo A look at some of the artwork at a previous Art at the Mill. The annual event, a juried fair, will return this year and will also include vendors, live music, and a silent auction featuring the artists' work.

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