Published: October 13, 2007 11:22 pm      

Threefoot Art Festival draws steady crowd

Art and music lovers— as well as those looking for a great way to enjoy the beautiful weather — steadily flowed through Dumont Plaza Saturday for the Fifth Annual Threefoot Art Festival.

“We kicked off at 9 a.m. and people were ready to hear good music and see great art at 9:02,” said Connie Royal, director of cultural affairs for the city.

“I’m really pleased with the turnout and the weather; everything’s running smoothly,” Royal said.

Attendance was estimated at 3,000 over the course of the nine-hour festival that included a wide variety of music — jazz and R & B, classical and Christian rock — several genres of art — from pine needle basketweaving to pottery, jewelry and everything in between.

When they weren’t grooving to the music, art enthusiasts could be found sitting at tables, on the grass and even on street curbs enjoying an array of palate pleasing favorites — hot dogs, nachos, pizza and samples of chili from the Bud Lite Chili Cookoff.

Reigning cookoff champion Robert Brand copped his third win in a row with this year’s competition. His giving up his Tennessee and Mississippi football game tickets earned him the People’s Choice Award.

Another attraction of the day was the Art a Gough Gough, a children’s art encounter that included hands-on fun.

Sponsored by The Barham Foundation, Barbaree Heaster and The Meridian Council for the Arts, the activity featured three students dressed as artists Vincent Van Gough, Freida Kahlo and Henry Matisse. The artists talked about themselves and their work. In addition, Nancy Rey, art teacher at Poplar Springs Elementary School, gave the young art enthusiasts a brief lesson on the artists’ styles.

Participants were given framed sheets of paper to create their own works. Also, art cubes were set up in the area for the youth to paint. The finished pieces will be available for local schools and businesses to borrow for display. Call the Meridian Arts Council for details.

Another highlight was the art competition. Rick Anderson received Best of Show honors, while Awards of Distinction were presented to Joseph Horne and Robert Holleman.

Merit awards were presented to Sylvia Follis, Mike French, Be Be Gianakos, Bessie Johnson, Patricia Kent, Mark Millet, Robert Shaffer, Steve Windham, Ben Watts and Lori Watts.

“Our goal is to expose art to the community and let everyone know what kind of art is out there,” said Debbie Martin, who, along with Bob Bresnahan, coordinated the day’s event.

And that, according to Keith Mabry, was the main attraction of the festival.

“I love attending events like this, going up and down the street seeing art and listening to music,” Mabry said. “I’d much rather do this here, than go somewhere else — like New Orleans or Memphis. It’s nice to be able to enjoy it right here in your own hometown.”