For the City Times

STEVENS POINT — The 47th annual Stevens Point Festival of the Arts (FoA) will be held on Sunday, April 7 at the UW-Stevens Point Noel Fine Art Center.

Shop two floors of fine art booths featuring 50 of the Midwest’s most accomplished artists. Hours are 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.. The event is family friendly and includes free admission. The FoA is a juried art show that showcases a variety of art mediums including basketry, ceramics, drawing, fiber, glass, jewelry, leather, mixed media, painting, printmaking, sculpture, and wood.

This year the FoA features twelve new artists that have not exhibited at the event before. There will be free children’s art activities from 10am-2pm, taught by local artists. Test your luck at the fine art raffle from 10am-3:30pm. You do not need to be present to win.

The raffle pieces are original art, generously donated by FoA artists, which help raise money for student fine art awards. Purchase snacks and beverages to support fundraising efforts by the UWSP Student Art League, and congratulate UWSP Festival Fine Art Award winners, sponsored by local businesses, at the award ceremony at 3PM.

The FoA council is so appreciative of businesses who help to sponsor the event, and also to the continued support from the community. The FoA receives no funding from UWSP, and is supported only by area businesses, local artists, patrons, volunteers and our own fundraising efforts. FoA mission is to encourage art awareness, support working artists, and contribute to local art education through the awards that are given.

This year, the FoA will feature UWSP Emerging Artists in 2-D and 3-D art. Local painter, Brooke Heindl Newman, is one of these artists. Newman is a non-traditional UWSP Fine Art graduate, a daughter of two artists, and the eldest of 12 children. She learned the importance of art from a young age. When Newman reached her 40’s she decided to go to college when an art history course changed her career path.

“It was the feel of the Noel Fine Arts Center, the students walking around singing and dancing, the artwork on the walls! I felt I was at home,” said Newman. “I took great influence from many wonderful professors. Painting has become critical in the past year. My mom and I were both diagnosed with cancer this year so mini getaways in my studio keeps my mind healthy and my attitude positive.”