Local artists are joining forces in the name of creativity for Arts on Central, a free new event in downtown Orange City.

Visual artists, musicians and performers will fill a blocked-off Central Ave. on Wednesday, August 26 beginning at 5:00pm.

Whether guests prefer to hone their poetry skills, wield a paintbrush or add to the elaborate chalk art on Central Avenue, the interactive event promises to have something for everyone.

Mary Jane Davidson of Sioux City (pictured below right) is leading a workshop that will teach attendees how to paint on silk.

“I think being creative touches the soul,” says Davidson, who owns Mary Jane’s Silk Addiction. “When I can paint, all my emotions can be taken out on that silk. It lets that creative side of my brain just flow. People can become better if they allow themselves to make art.”

Davidson and other artists, like watercolor artist Pam Harp, will also have artwork for sale.

Attendees will be able to spy Harp (left) in action.

For Harp, the event is a family affair. “I’m very excited — my son Blair Harp is a woodworker and will be sharing my space with me. We’ve never done anything like this — it’ll be fun.”

Other artists include Emilee Berry ( pictured below), watercolor artist Judy Thompson (artwork “Hopeful Horizons” pictured below), Lynae Dadisman (artwork “Rooster” pictured above), Rein Vanderhill, chalk artist Bradley Smith (pictured below) and more!

Guests of all ages will have the opportunity to make and appreciate art at the event.

Kids are invited to participate in community art installations, and will be able to take home a few handmade artworks, too. Families are invited to attend free puppet shows from local ventriloquist Lisa Laird (pictured below, left), and will spy the antics of a circus clown – Pete Statema — as well.

The evening will also include a live mannequin contest, where local residents will don costumes and props, and attempt to stay frozen in downtown storefronts, competing for prizes. Judges include Orange City Mayor Deb De Haan and Dr. Al Laird of Orange City Area Health System.

Music plays a key role in the Arts on Central event. Local bands will fill downtown shops with a variety of tunes. When Kathy Vaughn of the local band Kat and Dog heard about the Arts on Central event, she knew it was something she wanted to be a part of.

Vaughn is thrilled to bring their stripped down, soul-filled music to Holland House Interiors.

“Art is foundational, and this event shows that Orange City sees it,” Vaughn says. “There’s so much out there for everybody to see — there’s a ton to do. I appreciate Orange City Arts — they’ve brought in some phenomenal talent.”

Vaughn is pictured above, with her partner in Kat and Dog — Scott Amsberry.

The city’s beloved antique Dutch street organ will crank out old-fashioned tunes in front of the new Stadscentrum as well.

For those who prefer folk rock, local band The Usual Suspects (below, right) will play a set on the street near the K-Outlet Store.

“Nothing compares to live performances. The sheer energy and electricity of being there in person is just irreplaceable,” said Usual Suspects guitarist Joel Westerholm, a professor at Northwestern College.

Contributing artists agree – the Arts on Central event will create an important shared experience for local residents.

“It’s a very valuable thing — art brings beauty into our lives,” Westerholm said. “And we certainly need more of that.”

More than 50 local artists are contributing to make the event an unforgettable experience. From documentary producers to the Northwestern College improv group Black V (pictured below left), creative community members are participating in fun and exciting ways.

A variety of eateries will provide local favorites for purchase — including Dutch desserts like poffertjes and stroopwaffles, plus pizza, brats, fish tacos and homemade pies and cookies. Chamber merchants are sponsoring “Say Thanks with Franks” — hot dogs and a variety of toppings, for a freewill offering for Orange City Arts’ mural project. Vote for your favorite!

Orange City’s Chamber of Commerce is also hosting a scavenger hunt — complete with prizes — in conjunction with local businesses. And drawings will be held throughout the evening, for prizes.

 The event will conclude with a concert in Windmill Park at 7:30pm, by the crowd-pleasing a cappella group, Six Appeal. The cheeky, award-winning group is based out of the Twin Cities, and is sure to get toes tapping and guests clapping along.

Bring lawn chairs or blankets. Rain location will be downtown businesses and the Orange City town hall. For more information, visit orangecityarts.net or facebook.com/ocArts, or call 712.707.4885.

See video below for an amazing live mannequin (we THINK she’s alive)… but most of us will just stand there and be statuesque!

Free, thanks to our sponsors: Van Engelenhoven Agency & Orange City Arts.

Support for this final Onstage Orange City event of the summer is provided by the Iowa Arts Council, a division of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs, and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Read about the grant here: https://orangecityarts.net/orange-city-arts-receives-grant-from-iowa-arts-council-for-arts-on-central/

 

 

About Six Appeal: 

The evening will conclude at 7:30pm with a concert in Windmill Park by Six Appeal, a world-class vocal ensemble from the Twin Cities.

The six-member a cappella group – with a cheeky name – performed at the Sugar Bowl game at the Louisiana Superdome in January 2013. In 2012, they took first place, audience favorite and best original song in the National Harmony Sweepstakes A Cappella Festival in San Rafael, CA, competing with ensembles from seven regions of the U.S., from New York to Chicago to the Pacific Northwest. The sweepstakes features quality vocals and high levels of artistry, but also originality and creativity, pushing to keep a cappella music fresh, innovative and highly entertaining.

That’s Six Appeal.

Come to be surprised and captivated… and to laugh!

 

 

 

 

 

 

And we need you! 
Orange City Arts is looking for artists and musicians to participate. Perform, demonstrate, exhibit your work, sell your work, conduct a workshop, be a 20-minute mannequin. Prizes will be awarded! For more information or to register, SIGN UP HERE TO PARTICIPATE!