Art in the Park will celebrate its 10th anniversary on Sept. 20, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Platte Ridge Park.
Platte City Friends of the Arts and and Platte County Parks & Recreation plan and organize the art show and the Parks Department funds the event. Art in the Park is a free event for both vendors and community members.
“We are so grateful for this partnership,” Katie Whorton, president of Platte County Friends of the Arts said.
About 10 to 20 artists participate in the event. “We get lots of last-minute ones if the weather is nice,” Whorton said.
All types of unique art is shown, including: wood-working, paint, oils, clay, plastics, drawings, and many others.
Live demonstrations have included clay creation, wood-working, painting/drawing, origami and 3D printing.
There will be live music, including performers from Beatniks Dance Studio, and three local singers: Linda Burgess, Brent Isom, and Paige Griffee.
Food and beverage vendors, Sizzle & Sweet will provide food and Smash burgers, sides, lemonades and walking cakes will be available.
“The whole event is family friendly,” Whorton said. “Kids can get their faces painted, get animal balloons, play with giant bubbles, paint rocks, make stickers, and use sidewalk chalk. The event is also located by the playground. Some artists offer a make-and-take craft for kids while others are geared more toward art to be displayed or purchased for adults.”
There will also be an activity called Chalk the Walk. Sidewalk chalk will be provided for kids and adults to decorate a section of the trail sidewalk around the river. Large hoops will also be provided for kids to play with giant bubbles.
Whorton, who has served on Platte City Friends of the Arts’ board of directors for six years, vice-president for two years, and president for three years, said the organization’s mission is “enriching lives and building community through the arts.”
She believes this annual event is a great way for area residents to learn about local artists and view their works of art first-hand.
“This is a great opportunity to grow and share art with our community,” Whorton said. “It’s also a great way to spend time outdoors, supporting local artists of all kinds.”
Whorton also said this is a good way for kids to learn about the importance of art and culture and possibly encourage them to create art themselves.
“We believe that everyone can ‘do art’. It’s great for kids to be exposed to all the different ways we can express ourselves through art. There is so much more to art that just drawing, and this is a great way for young people to be exposed to so many different art mediums.”
Whorton is also an artist. “While visual arts is certainly not my strength, I have dedicated my life to performance arts: dance, music, and theatre. I believe art is what makes the world beautiful and I want everyone to have the chance to be exposed to that beauty.”
Being involved with Platte City Friends of the Arts has been a rewarding experience for Whorton.
“I have really enjoyed the connections I’ve made with people and other groups in our community,” Whorton said. “It is so rewarding to watch a person’s love for art grow and know that our organization encourages that passion.”
Platte City Friends of the Arts hosts four community band concerts each year, three outdoor music concerts in the summer, numerous Plein Art events, and other classes and exhibits throughout the year. They also host a Spring Tea which is their largest fundraiser each year. Their next event is their Fall Community Band Concert on Oct. 19 at 3p.m. For more information on Platte City Friends of the Arts go to PlatteCityFriendsoftheArts.com