Cresco Fine Arts Show celebrates its 60th year

CRESCO - Perfect summer weather greeted the 60th Cresco Fine Arts Show, located at Beadle Park in Cresco Sunday.

The art show, which resumed after COVID-19 canceled the event last summer, featured 18 artists showcasing a variety of fine art, ranging from watercolor prints to glassware, from pottery to jewelry. The work of student artists was also featured. 

Decorah artist Doug Eckheart served as the judge for the show. Winners of the 2021 Cresco Fine Art Show include:

• Best of Show: Dean Schwarz & Family, Decorah (Pottery)

• First Place: Richard Van Genderen, Cresco (Watercolor)

• Second Place: Art Ciccotti, Ames, Iowa (Glass)

• Third Place: Carrol Brandt, Bettendorf, Iowa (Glass)

• Honorable Mention: David Prehm, New Hampton, Iowa (Watercolor)

 

Student Art

• First Place: Kaitlyn Loden

• Second Place: Emily Blaess

• Third Place: Arianna Sawyer

• Honorable Mention: Summer Knight

Eckheart said he is impressed with the quality of the artwork featured and the longevity of the Cresco Fine Arts Show.

“It’s truly amazing for a town your size to support the arts as you do,” he said. 

Cresco Fine Arts Council Chairwoman Loraine Hubka said she is pleased with the turnout.

“I think after what happened last year, people are ready to go out and do things again,” she said. 

To that end, Beadle Park quickly filled with artist vendors and spectators. The Gunder Boys, a trio of singers, wandered through the park and serenaded the crowd with Barbershop music. A balloon artist created whimsical balloon art for children. Student Silver Cord volunteers watched over the children’s art activities.

Artists included many who have been a part of the Cresco Art Show for years.

William and Marguerite Schwarz, who accepted the Best of Show Award on behalf of the Dean Schwarz family, said their grandfather, Dean Schwarz, has featured his pottery at the Cresco Fine Arts Show for decades. They described the piece of pottery that stood out for Eckheart during the judging process.

“In addition to the various architectural designs carved in the pot, the colored glaze represents flowing water, another theme in his work. He has been a fisherman his whole life, so being out on the river greatly influenced him. This pot represents a merger of these two ideas, Iowa rivers and architecture into one piece,” he said.

Third place winner Carrol Brandt of Bettendorf is new to the Cresco Fine Arts Show.

“I am impressed with the people; everyone has been so helpful,” she said. “I really enjoyed the show.” 

Food vendors included the Cresco Kiwanis, serving burgers, bratwurst patties and pop; VFW Post  #4561, serving walking tacos and drinks and the Country Winds Auxiliary, serving a variety of pies. 

The Cresco Fine Arts Council includes Chair Loraine Hubka, Gretchen Becker, Joan Buttjer, Sue Easler, Sally Godwin, Chris Roesler, Janet Rustad, Linda Schorr and Sara Stromseth-Troy.

The 61st annual Cresco Fine Arts Show is scheduled for Aug. 7, 2022.