Art in the Park stages second successful show in Ritzville

The Ritzville City Park once again played host to an assortment of artists for the annual Art in the Park from May 25-27.

During the three-day event, sponsored by Boots N’ Brushes Western Artists Association, residents and visitors had the opportunity to view and purchase a variety of artwork.

Western Artists Association Chairman Jim Lisk said this year’s event featured artwork in a variety of mediums, ranging from metal sculptures and paintings to handmade jewelry and tie-dye clothes.

This was the second year the event was held at the City Park. Lisk noted several artists said holding the event in the park provided beautiful scenery to complement their work.

The event had several returning artists, one being Gabe Gabel, who has been showcasing her work in Ritzville since the first art event in 2007.

Gabel said she enjoys showing her artwork, and interacting with the people who attend the event.

Other returning vendors included Dona Corbin, who displayed some of the tie-dye clothes and merchandise from her store, Express Yourself Tye Dye and More, as well as Jim and Cheri Lisk, who displayed western humor art and impressionism painting.

The event also featured new vendors, like Deborah Olson, who did face painting, glitter tattoos and made cotton candy. Another new artist was Valeria Yost, who showcased her acrylic paintings of animals and western landscapes.

Yost, whose work has been featured in catalogs and Wild Wings Magazine, said Gabel encouraged her to come to Ritzville and participate in Art in the Park.

Although she does not usually attend large-scale art shows, Yost said she enjoys having the opportunity to share her work and approach to painting with attendees, especially children.

One of the local children who met Yost at the event was Joey Duff.

Duff said he enjoys art and his grandmother is a painter. He liked the different pieces of artwork featured at Art in the Park, especially Mike Kuest’s metal artwork, which he described as lifelike.

On Sunday, the Boots N’ Brushes Western Artists Association handed out three awards. The Buck Taylor Award for Excellence in sculpture was given to Gabel. Bernie Patton from Spokane Valley once again received the Buck Taylor Excellence in craftsmanship award. Cheri Lisk received Best in Show for her paintings.

With the 2018 Art in the Park event finished, Lisk is looking forward to next year’s event.

He noted Ritzville Mayor Gary Cook, who is the president of Western Arts Association, will be coordinating the event in 2019. Lisk will still be involved with the event in an advisory role.