It was the first time at Wild for the Arts for local artist and illustator Brianne Maas who hopes to attend many more local events.

Hub Staff

It was perfect weather and a beautiful setting for the approximately 30 artists who participated in the Wild for the Arts festival at MacGregor Point Provincial Park September 15 and 16.

Hosted by The Friends of MacGregor Point Park, the weekend festival saw artists showcasing and selling an array of work, each set up in individual campsites throughout the Iris Grove Loop of the Huron Campground, offering a unique and natural backdrop.

Organizer Ed Nanni said they saw over 600 visitors to the festival on Saturday alone. “It was pretty constant,” said Nanni, who added that the barbecue lunch, in support of the Friends of MacGregor Point, had been extremely popular.

Various activities were scheduled throughout the weekend including face painting, mural painting, clay throwing, book reading and an in-residence artist and writer. Rather than music just in the evenings as in previous years, this year's festival saw live music all afternoon as well as buskers. "We've never had buskers before," said Nanni.

Visitors were able to stroll through the campsite loop at their own pace and view an array of offerings from paintings and drawings to writing and photography, jewellery, woodworking and more.

Welcoming visitors to the Wild for the Arts festival, organizer Ed Nanni (blue) with volunteers, from left, Jeff Hemming, Sara Dolbeck, Nancy Robinson and MacGregor Point Provincial Park National Heritage Education Leader Kathleen Houlahan.

Jenny Lee Learn, from near Allenford, holds her latest book entitled 'Geese Are Not Pets' while her daughters Gracie (12) and Emily (9) show off 'My Mommy Likes', 'Truck Got Stuck', and 'Just a Smile'.

A regular at Wild for the Arts, Kim Vanderburgt from Clifford had brought some of her unique and colourful clothing. Kim also offers 'Feestlyle Sewing for Girls' classes at the Southampton Art School during the summer.

Southampton author Ashley Gordon (A.A. Gordon) holds The Wayside, book 1 of 5 in her Dowrra Series. Gordon was offering pre-sales of her second book, Bloodline, released professionally through Runefire Publications just this week. Gordon's books have recently launched in the UK, USA and Australia.

Roar by Rex artist Kristen Holloway was busy with customers perusing her unique jewellery.

Saugeen District Secondary School art students were busy volunteering their time all weekend and showcasing their talent painting faces with numerous designs. Grade 11 student Rowan Stephenson (left) had painted 2 year old Lily's face while Grade 10 student Alex Bromaroff had painted her 5 year old brother Jake's face. Lily and Jake had travelled from Guelph with their family to camp at the park for the weekend.

Watercolour artist Bev Morgan spent some time painting at the weekend festival. Morgan is an artist at the Southampton Arts Centre and teaches art on cruise ships as well as online to students from 22 different countries. She said each year she chooses one theme to paint for the entire year. This year is music and next year is Ontario waterfalls.

Chesley's David Beverly-Foster was at Wild for the Arts with his first book titled 'Walking Home', published by The Brucedale Press. Beverly-Foster said the book, just released in the spring, reflects on his experiences of walking home from Waterloo, where he was attending university.

Oil painter Barbara Pearn had travelled from Eugenia to showcase her artwork at Wild for the Arts September 15 and 16.

It was Visuals by Tess' Tess Brierley of Port Elgin's first year at Wild for the Arts.

Volunteers were busy feeding visitors who had lined up for a barbecue lunch in support of the Friends of MacGregor Point.