Art and music festival at Town Hall

Last Saturday was a warm day but with some cool music and great art The Art Alliance of Idyllwild’s (AAI) “Eye of the Artist” and the “Call of the Wyld” were combined to the enjoyment of those attending. Starting at Noon, people drifted in and out of the Town Hall until 7 p.m..

The event started with a poetry reading by Holly Parsons and then the “Idyllwild Song” by Lindsay Speed, now a tradition at each concert. Juls Phillips graced the audience with her original songs and then Change Required rocked the place. There was a change of pace with a fashion show of Jen Savino’s Designs followed by Songbird Sandii and the Finches. Slow the Goat, The 212 Band, and Lisa and the Broken Hallelujahs kept up the lively vibe, a hallmark of the event.

David Reid-Marr was the judge for the art show with the optional theme of “Wild Wyld” and here are the ribbons he awarded:

Best of Show: Bruce Watts with his “Marine Blue on Buckwheat” photograph

Best Theme: Jon Bauer with his acrylic “Willow Wyld”

People’s Choice: Sandi Austin with her glass 3D mosaic “Scarlet”

2D Category

First Place: Donna Elliot with her Alcohol Ink Painting “Moonrise”

Second Place: Tim Johnson with his oil painting “Yellow Palm”

Third Place: Jessica Schiffman with her oil painting “Darwin’s Hat”

3D Category

First Place: Jan Priestley’s Idy Landscape Series ceramic with photo imaging

Second Place: David Salk’s ash and clay dish

Third Place: Sandi Austin’s mosaic “Scarlet”

Honorable Mention: Jeff Boone’s wood stool “Sitting Pretty”

Wearable Art Category

First Place: Ann Wilkin’s “Crystal Vision” necklace

Second Place: Terrie Burrian’s necklace and earring set “Lily of the Valley”

Third Place: Evelyne Frick’s “Cosmic Waterfall” tote bag

Honorable Mention: Trudy Adler’s “Gingko Love”

Photography Category

First Place: “Marine Blue on Buckwheat” by Bruce Watts

Second Place: “Forest Guardian” by Marlin Harris

Third Place: “Dragon Drool” by Jason Cleghorn

Honorable Mentions: “Salton Sea” by Trish Tuley and “Tahquitz Starlight” by Donna Elliot

The “Eye” event is the AAI’s second largest annual fundraiser. It didn’t disappoint with the purchase of the silent auction items the business and artist community donated. Hundreds of raffle tickets were sold giving people a chance to win the judged art pieces artists donated.

Mountain Pottery offered attendees a handmade ceramic bowl filled with the chili of their choice. The proceeds of this project go to support the Idyllwild School PTA smARTS program.

AAI’s next event is the 24th Art Walk and Wine Tasting Saturday, Oct. 8. Ticket sales open Friday, July 1. It is likely to be another sell out event and with “early bird” pricing, buy your tickets and book your accommodation as soon as possible.

Visit www.artinidyllwild.org for more information.