Artists in Action

Providing the inimitable identity of the Smoky Hill River Festival are our inspiring, colorful, and provocative Artist-in-Action projects. Born of artistic collaboration, the still point of landscape and artistic imagination, or the need to communicate an idea, our Artists in Action speak volumes without saying a word. “About Face” — It’s a family affair for Salina artist Ann Arkebauer and sons Chris and Adam Wilson interpreted through this returning series of vibrant stimulating portraits they feel are representative of the energy and spirit of the Festival. “Animal Sanctuary” - Juniper/T.J. Tangpuz builds this sanctuary of kinetic creatures from his imagination. As a sculptor, T.J. creates elaborate, intricate and evocative artworks from paper, cardboard and the complex musings of his mind. We can’t wait to see these! “Attack of the Creative Crawlers—The Fab Five IN-Spiders” - You might feel like you just stepped into a surreal B-movie as the colorful Creative Crawlers are on the march! They are coming to add a tidal wave of color to the Festival! These five large “daddy long legs” artists, created by Kansas City artist Matt Dehaemers, are not meant to scare, but to In-spider young and old alike to be creative and colorful. You will see them marching with their paintbrush-like legs. Be careful, they may turn you into a brilliant color!! “Dimentionality….1 thru 5” Yet another fascinating collaboration for Ann Arkebauer and son Adam Wilson, this installation was created to impact and interact with the Festival audience through the consideration of scale, color, texture and movement. Encore Art Car Exhibition — Art cars have become a recognizable cultural phenomenon! Automobile canvases are transformed into highly personal reflections of the people who created them and drive them. This fabulous car show is presented through the assistance of Erika Nelson, Lucas, KS. Watch for neighborhood cruises, happening from the Festival, Friday and Saturday. Too cool! “Gussied Gallimaufry” — Salina artists, Nancy Williams and Julie Cates brighten the pathways to the Festival’s Storytelling Stage. Embellished with bits of recycled materials and memorabilia, these amorphous lovelies come straight from the heart. “Hidden Meaning” — Ann Arkebauer presents panels woven with various shades of hot pastels and primary colors then painted into blended abstract designs, accenting, texturizing and highlighting the patterns created by the weaving process. “In the Loop” —Brandon Draper, Joshua Conner, and Brett Maltbie present musical performances where the audience creates the music on a “Jam Wagon.” Imagine the equipment from the musical “Stomp” where anyone can walk up and jam on it! This interactive performance combines loop-based music, tribal drumming and found-sound percussion elements. The whole contraption (with the artists) will move to a different location at the Festival each day. “Knuckle Down” —Join this exploration of the popular marble games of days gone by. Facilitated by the Smoky Hill Museum, and presented by Bruce Breslow and instructors from the Moon Marble Company, youngsters from 5 to 105 can learn shooting techniques and play marble games. “Metamorphosis” – The experience of humanity coming together at an arts festival fosters inspiration in us all! Vibrant colors and festive imagery surround the pond (next to Stage II)…people holding hands, individually changing in one “collective movement.” With art as the catalyst, installation artist Bill Godfrey, Tarentum, PA, celebrates how creative changes in individuals result in positive effects on community. “Mystery in the Sand” — Salina artist Curt Krob creates suspense through mastery of large-scale sand sculpture. Now a long standing festival tradition, Curt’s self-developed color technique is unique in the world of sand sculpture. Ably assisted by Damon Shulda, the team shrouds their artistic idea in mystery until the masterpiece becomes self-evident. Curt will offer a creative process presentation on Festival Friday and Saturday—the “Mystery” revealed! Poetry Wall — Rich Bergen’s “S River Scroll” magnetic Poetry Wall provides the canvas for this ever-changing literary masterpiece! Local high school English teachers and students, coordinated by Katrina Paradis will lead this popular returning activity. “Reinventing the Wheel” — This mesmerizing and graceful kinetic sculpture, designed by David Exline, Aliso Viejo, CA, with the creative and technical minds of the Exline family, truly reflects an outstanding community collaboration. Riverbank Mural —Artist Colin Benson creates a new multicolored graphic representation for the celebration, always creative, always a surprise! “Interconnections” — Selected McPherson High School art students along with McPherson College Art Department instructors, Dee Erway-Sherwood and Ann Zerger, create a fascinating fiber/graphic installation piece over the 4 th Street Bridge. This cooperative weaving event results in an impressive environmental fusion of sculpture and graphic design. “Surreal Trees” — a signature project of Salina’s regional artists who yearly reinterpret this hallmark element of the Festival. “Twisted” — Your imagination grows along with these intriguing random forms radiating from the Bicentennial Center bridge. From the creative explorations of Salinan Rich Bergen and Idaho artist Theo Laswell. “Witness This” — Brad Anderson creates life-sized photographs of Festival enthusiasts. Look for these two-dimensional figures placed throughout the Festival grounds. Their real-life counterparts might be spotted right alongside them! Come listen to music, look at art or spread out a blanket with the Smoky Hill River Festival’s latest guests. They don’t talk back, they will like what you like, and they are easy to get along with. Yoga in the Garden —Kate Williams and Cheryl Mason of the Prairie Lotus Yoga Studio will lead a one-hour Yoga class in the Formal Gardens at 9:00 a.m. on Festival Sunday, June 10th. Join us for this meditation in motion.