Artists, Art Lovers Brave The Storm

Artists presented their wares at the 2016 Oakwood Fine Arts Festival despite torrential rains at times on Saturday, Aug. 27. (Photos by Sarah Wright)
SYRACUSE — Despite stormy conditions, several artists — including painters, sculptors, photographers, glass blowers and more — food vendors and a winery have set up for the Oakwood Fine Arts Festival today, Saturday, Aug. 27. A Chautauqua-Wawasee event, the festival returns to the grounds of Oakwood Resort, 702 E. Lake View Road, Syracuse, and runs until 4 p.m. this afternoon.

Painter Brenda K. Stichter, left, talks with Larry Lane with Chautauqua during the festival.
Larry Lane, with Chautauqua, said that so far the event has had a steady turnout, particularly early on and during breaks in the rain. Even during the worst of the rain, there have been people trickling in.
In addition to the art and crafts, the festival features live entertainment, with Deborah Chupp having given a hammered dulcimer performance from 10 a.m to 11 a.m. and Shaken, Not Stirred, a jazz/pop trio, having performed from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Kevin Piekarski Jazz and pianist Dave Latchaw will be performing from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
The festival also had activities for children, namely arts and crafts projects, and Ken’s Balloons was on hand to create a variety of balloon animals and objects until 1 p.m.
For more information, visit chautauqua-wawasee.org.
- Debbie Laughlin examines a pottery piece.
- Vendor Gail Bowsher, with Bowshers Ironworks, presses one of his metal sculptures into the ground.
- Oakwood Fine Arts Festival visitors line up to taste wine at the Tippy Creek Winery tent.
- Vendors cover up their displays as the rain picks up.
- Ceramics line the shelves in one vendor’s tent.