The juried arts and crafts show will feature more than 100 vendors selling their unique handcrafted items, as well as live music and a variety of food vendors.

“We have 149 booths, and 112 different vendors,” said Clint Kendziorski, Thunder Bay Arts Council first vice-president. “Some of them have one booth, some have two booths, some have three booths.”

Due to the popularity of Art on the Bay, many vendors sign up immediately for the next year’s show.

“We were close to full at the end of last year’s show,” Kendziorski said. “And, we ended up adding over 20 booths extra than what we had last year.”

Courtesy Image This beautiful oil painting of a meadow scene was created by Katy Jo South, who will return to Art on the Bay for her third year there. South is from southwestern Ohio.

He said there are a lot of new vendors this year, including several from Florida.

“They were calling Michelle (at the TBAC office) and asking how to get into the show,” Kendziorski said. “We’re assuming one of the vendors was in Florida and said, ‘If you want a good show, go to Alpena.’ Our show is very well-respected, so that makes me happy.”

Council members jury the show, selecting which vendors are chosen to exhibit at Art on the Bay.

“They have to send in at least three pictures,” Kendziorski said. “A picture of them doing their craft, a picture of their art, and a picture of their tent.”

Many artists send more photos to show the scope of their artwork.

Courtesy Photo Above is a piece of three-dimensional art featuring butterflies and leaves by Judy Emerson, of Standish. This will be Emerson’s first year exhibiting at Art on the Bay in Alpena.

“Fortunately, because of the type of show we have, we’re well enough known that very seldom do we have to say ‘No’ to somebody,” Kendziorski said.

There will be a wide range of items and artwork to choose from at Art on the Bay, with everything from jewelry to paintings to needlework to photography to ceramics to woodworking and metalworking.

“Pretty much any kind of art you can think of, we’ll have it,” Kendziorski said.

Judy Emerson, of Standish, will be at Art on the Bay for the first time, selling her handcrafted three-dimensional artwork.

“This is my first time, and I’m kind of excited,” Emerson said. “This is my first juried show.”

She explained what goes into making her 3D artwork.

“It’s a process where I use several layers of print, and cut them all apart, and reassemble the pieces,” Emerson said.

She cuts every piece by hand, using small cuticle scissors. She starts with up to seven identical prints, cuts pieces off, then layers them on edges using silicone caulk to create a multi-faceted piece. After all the layers have dried and the piece is complete, she frames it with a special shadowbox frame, because the layers create height on the page, making the artwork stand out from its background layer.

“It’s something that I learned out in Arizona and brought back this way,” Emerson said. “I’ve been doing it for about 25 years now.”

She said an Alpena friend suggested she get into Art on the Bay.

“He’s been encouraging me for about the last three years to exhibit there, and he finally talked me into it,” Emerson said.

She said she finds peace in creating her artwork.

“I like doing the cutting,” Emerson said. “To me, it’s just really relaxing. If I get stressed or worked up about something, I’ll just sit down and start cutting away, and the stress just goes away. I get in my mode in my own little world.”

In addition to 3D art, she also makes greeting cards and bumble bee-themed outdoor decor, made out of tin cans.

“I think they’re just adorable,” she said. “They’re the ultimate recycle project.”

She is looking forward to the show.

“It’s going to be great being in such a large show,” Emerson said. “I’ve been in some pretty good-sized shows, but nothing this big. It’s going to be exciting.”

Katy Jo South, of Somerville, Ohio, will return to Art on the Bay for her third year exhibiting there. South was born and raised in Rogers City. She has lived in southwestern Ohio for over 30 years.

“I love coming up into that area,” South said of Northeast Michigan. “I do the Nautical Festival in Rogers City, as well.”

She creates realistic oil paintings of nature scenes, and more. She has been painting since she was 11 years old.

“I’m a self-taught artist,” she said. “No formal training.”

She recalled being first inspired to paint.

“When I was 11, back in the ’70s, I saw my first art show,” she said. “It happened to be at Nautical in Rogers City. Hippies would put their paintings on the grass or on blankets, and I was so moved by some nature scenery that I actually prayed to God, on the shores of Lake Huron, to be an artist, and he answered that prayer, in his own time.”

She received her first oil painting supplies when she was still a youngster.

“My dad bought my first oil painting set for me that summer,” South said. “And that was probably not real easy for our family to do, because we were just getting by, paycheck to paycheck.”

She said her dad helped her learn what to look for when trying to paint realistic pieces.

“He cut an orange in half and set it on the table,” she recalled. It was next to a pitcher full of water. “He asked me, ‘Katy, where’s the light coming from?’ And, really and truly, that was probably the most valuable lesson I ever had.”

Now, she has a “magnificent” art studio in the upper level of her barn, where she can retreat to and paint to her heart’s desire.

She will have original and multiple prints available at the show.

“They’re called giclee prints,” she said. “It’s fancy French for prints on canvas. They’re top of the line, really nice.”

To see more of South’s artwork, visit katyjosouth.com.

South enjoys exhibiting at Art on the Bay.

“It’s a beautiful location,” South said of Art on the Bay. “It’s very easy for the artists to get in and out. Sometimes, shows can be very frustrating, but this is so laid-back. Very well-organized. I love the scenery. They have great music.”

The weather forecast for Saturday and Sunday is mostly sunny and high 70s to low 80s, which organizers hope will encourage more people to visit Art on the Bay.

“Hopefully people will come down and eat and walk around,” Kendziorski said.

Attendees will find all kinds of unique items at Art on the Bay. You may even be able to get some early holiday shopping done.

Reach Darby Hinkley at dhinkley@thealpenanews.com, or 989-358-5691.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)

• Daily Newsletter
• Breaking News
• Obituaries

Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

• Yes
• No