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Nip of fall brings artists out in force for Renaissance in Roanoke Saturday

Abi Dominguez (left) and his dad, Nacho Dominguez, create a piece of art to take home from last year’s Renaissance in Roanoke art festival. The event returns this year on Saturday, Oct. 12.
Abi Dominguez (left) and his dad, Nacho Dominguez, create a piece of art to take home from last year’s Renaissance in Roanoke art festival. The event returns this year on Saturday, Oct. 12. TAB file photo.

The first nip of fall brings the artists out in force for Renaissance in Roanoke, an outdoor art fair to be held on Roanoke's main street on Saturday, Oct. 12, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

An art marketplace, featuring 42 juried artists, is one of the main attractions of the day. The regional artists' booths will be located on Main Street from First Street to Second Street.

The artists will showcase a variety of works, and several will offer demonstrations. Visitors can see Linn Bartling on the pottery wheel, as well as woodcarvers Larry Wiedman and Dan Diefenbacher.

Charles Shepard, director of the Fort Wayne Museum of Art, will award ribbons for best in show in each category of artwork.

Shepard will also judge the works created by the "plein air" artists, who will be painting on the streets of Roanoke Saturday morning. Shepard will announce his awards at 1:30 p.m. at Crestwoods Frame Shop and Gallery, in downtown Roanoke. After judging, the works will be offered for sale.

Children's art activities will take place throughout the day at Zent Commons in downtown Roanoke. Angie Delauter will lead a "Create a Canvas" activity.

"Angie takes a canvas and draws an outline on it, and invites everyone to add something to it," says Bartling, secretary/treasurer of the Roanoke Arts Council, which sponsors the festival.

At an earlier festival, Bartling says, Delauter drew an outline of a tree and had bystanders add leaves.
"I don't know what she has in mind, but I know it will be fun," Bartling says.

Sweetcakes the Clown will offer face painting, and plein air paintings by elementary students will be on display.
Entertainment is scheduled on the stage throughout the day.

Kenzie Riley, a local vocalist and guitarist, will
perform at 10 a.m.

O Sister Brother, a group from Huntington University will perform on guitar, mandolin and accordion at 10:30 a.m.

The J Taylors, a husband and wife team, will perform from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

A string quartet from the Fort Wayne Philharmonic will perform from 2 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.

Jazz guitarist Steven Newby will perform from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Strolling troubadours will perform along the street during the festival.

Several food trucks will be serving food, and other food vendors will be available in the food court. The day also includes a farmer's market with fall produce and other food.

There is no admission charge, and parking is free.