The 51st Chesterton Art Fair will be held this Saturday and Sunday, August 1 and 2 at Hawthorne Park in Porter. The hours of the fair are 10-5 each day, and the admission charge is $5. Parking is free.

Over 95 fine artists from all across the country will be exhibiting in this juried, well-known and respected fair. The best of everything- paintings, drawings, photography, jewelry, sculpture, weaving, glass, and pottery can be found at this year's fair. You'll find a piece of art to suit every budget, plus all are one-of-a-kind, made in the USA. Chat with the artists, sit in on a demonstration, and enjoy something to eat and drink from one of the local food vendors.

New to the fair this year is Melinda Massette of Porter, who will be showing her beautifully crafted crinoid and semi-precious stone jewelry. Massette, who grew up in Dune Acres, has been collecting crinoids from the shores of Lake Michigan since she was a child. Crinoids are fossilized segments of marine animals approximately 250-500 million years old. Each fossil “bead” in her compositions have been meticulously hand bored and balanced in a process that can take anywhere from 2 days to 6 months.

A self-taught artist, she began making her found treasures into jewelry about 15 years ago. Melinda uses sterling silver findings on all of her pieces, and compliments the crinoids with semi-precious stones, Czech glass, and Swarovski crystals. “My work is always evolving,” she says, “and no two pieces are alike. I’m really excited about being in the Chesterton Art Fair.” Melinda also shows her work at the Chesterton Art Center. She takes custom orders, and can be reached at 926-3433.

Visit the children's booth where your child can create their own piece of art to take home with them. This year, there will be a public art project for anyone to participate in, at no charge. A handmade quilt will be decorated with buttons and quotations from visitors to the fair, which will be raffled off at the “Art After Dark" Gala in October. Artist demonstrations will be ongoing both days of the fair. Watercolor painting, clay, mosaic, and acrylic painting will be demonstrated, and a children's book author and artist will read from his books.

Proceeds from this year's art fair provide an operating budget as well as programming support for classes, exhibits, and presentations offered at the Chesterton Art Center. Volunteers for the fair are always needed and appreciated.

If you have a few hours to spare this weekend and enjoy people, being outdoors, and being surrounded by beautiful art, please call the Art Center at 219-926-4711. The Chesterton Art Center is located at 115 S. 4th St. in Chesterton. Visit the website at www.chestertonart.com

Posted 7/28/2009