Residents, visitors welcome ‘quality of art’ at Lincoln Hwy. Arts Fest
October 01, 2008 · Jake Krob

Chatting with local artist Doug Hanson, Chris and Sarah Legore said they appreciate Mount Vernon's focus on art.

"This is wonderful," Sarah said. "I'm very impressed with the quality of art."

The Legores, of Mount Vernon, were among the hundreds who meandered First Street in uptown Mount Vernon Saturday for the third annual Lincoln Highway Arts Festival. Presented by the Mount Vernon Area Arts Council, the event featured more than 30 artists and their works, ranging from jewelry and ceramics to hand-crafted baskets and paintings.

Chris and Sarah said they enjoy going to art festivals in the area and Chris said "it's so nice that it's a two-block walk away."

Bob Jones of Lisbon concurred as he checked out art with his granddaughter, Chloe Bolin of Cedar Rapids.

"It's a wonderful small-town event," he said. "You can park a block away and it's not crowded. It really is family-friendly."

He added that he's come to the fair each of the last three years and has purchased a couple of paintings.

"Every year, it seems to get a little better, too," he said.

Hal and Sharon Dendurent of Mount Vernon said this was their first time at the art fair.

"We just like to come uptown and see what's going on," Sharon said. "I really like the variety."

Hal added that he appreciates the arts council providing the venue.

"This is good - local artists need these kind of outlets," he said.

The artists who set up under tents in the street agreed.

Linda K. Smith, of Walcott, brought her pottery works to the arts festival for the first time. She said she'd participated in Heritage Days' Art in the Park a couple of times and appreciated the local venue.

"I really like that this is just an art fair," she said. "And it's very intimate."

Within an hour of the event beginning, she'd already sold a couple of bowls.

Steve and Phyllis Hunter of Cedar Falls were also pleased with the reception in Mount Vernon. Steve brought his acrylic paintings and photography works; Phyllis set up her jewelry.

They do a half dozen shows a year and learned about Mount Vernon's through an artist friend. They liked that all artists were set up in a line on one street.

Laura Dostal, an Illinois native and Coe College grad, was also a first-time participant. She interned with artist Tom Newport and the art festival in Mount Vernon was her first ever show.

She said she particularly enjoyed that the show here was very public, allowing her to interact with people about her art.

Ed and Betty LaPointe were also pleased with the show's turnout. The Mount Vernon residents brought their jewelry uptown - they also show at Heritage Days and the downtown farmers market in Cedar Rapids.

Echoing the sentiment of many attendees and artists Saturday, Ed said: "It is so wonderful to have a show right here in town."