Picture perfect

Artists and their admirers were out Saturdayat the Fourth Annual Columbia County New Horizons Art Festival, an event sponsored by Columbia County's Division of Community and Leisure Services.

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More than 30 vendors set up at the event, selling arts and crafts and promoting pet adoption and fire safety, said Frank Neal, director of community and leisure services. Live entertainment was featured throughout the day.

"The purpose of today's event is twofold," said Neal. "First, it's to show an appreciation of arts in the community. Second, it's to promote family fun in a festival atmosphere."

Neal said the organizers of the event hope to showcase "all the arts in the community as much as possible."

A silent auction benefiting Columbia County Arts, Inc. was Friday night, and storytelling and art workshops were Saturday. A juried art show opened Friday night with the unveiling of 38 pieces by 17 area artists.

By request of the artists, Neal said the winning pieces aren't being taken down after the show, but will be on display for the next few weeks in county buildings, including Savannah Rapids Pavilion and Gibbs and Euchee Creek libraries.

"We'll have them spread out all over the county," Neal said.

Corey Singletary, 10, said she was drawn to the festival by the works exhibited. She and friend Molly Knight, 7, had considered entering the show, but didn't have a picture drawn and didn't have enough time to draw one.

Chad Farmer, 11, and his mother, Lynn, draw during a writing-with-

pictures workshop at the New Horizons Art Festival.

Photo by Chris Thelen

"Both Molly and Corey have taken art classes," said Michele Singletary, Corey's mother. "They really enjoy drawing."

The Schoonover family of Evans, including father Ken and mother Amy, were among those participating in an art workshop sponsored by The Art Factory.

The Schoonover's son, Clark, 3, attends story time at a public library. "They told us about (the festival) there," said Mrs. Schoonover. "We thought it sounded like a lot of fun."

Along for the fun were Clark's brother Grant, 5, and sisters Allyssa, 10, and Holly, 7.

Budding artist Angelica Read, 5, of Grovetown and her mother, Alison Read, were attending Saturday's festival for the second year.

"We go to all the art festivals and have a child that has some art knowledge," said Ms. Read. "Angelica loves to paint, draw and work with clay, all of it."

Attendance figures at the Friday and Saturday night events were estimated at "nearly 3,000," according to Neal.