Inspiring Art in Siouxland, Art Splash, Sioux City

Artist Maria Loh creates an image on the sidewalk at Art Slash, a project of the Sioux City Art Center Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022 in Sioux City, Iowa. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Artist Maria Loh creates an image on the sidewalk at Art Slash, a project of the Sioux City Art Center Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022 in Sioux City, Iowa. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Annually in Siouxland a local Art Center in Sioux City holds an “Art Splash” where juried artists can exhibit their wares or creations along with music and activities for children. Artistic endeavors by various artists range from paintings and photography, jewelry, ceramics, wood carving, textiles and fabrics and more.

Jonathan Metzger and his wife, Allison, work collaboratively to create art at Art Slash, a project of the Sioux City Art Center Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022 in Sioux City, Iowa. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Jeremy Hansen poses on a sunny day in front of one of his art pieces at Art Slash, a project of the Sioux City Art Center Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022 in Sioux City, Iowa. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Todd does some finish work for his paramour Kiara Linda at Art Slash, a project of the Sioux City Art Center Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022 in Sioux City, Iowa. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

It’s always fun and educational walking about the many artists, seeing the work they have done and feeling inspired and sometimes lazy as one sees the amount of art and effort that goes into some of the items created, whether two or three dimensional. If tired from walking about one can always grab a bit to eat and listen to whatever entertainment is happening at the time. The 2-day event gives one a chance to explore and for many an opportunity to add to their own individual collections be it for indoor or outdoor settings.

Art inspires as do the artists who create it.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

Sidewalk art created by locals at Art Slash, a project of the Sioux City Art Center Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022 in Sioux City, Iowa. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

People fill a blocked off downtown street to look at various artists’ booths during Art Slash, a project of the Sioux City Art Center Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022 in Sioux City, Iowa. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

People fill a blocked off downtown street to look at various artists’ booths during Art Slash, a project of the Sioux City Art Center Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022 in Sioux City, Iowa. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Children create art on the sidewalk at Art Slash, a project of the Sioux City Art Center Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022 in Sioux City, Iowa. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

People fill a blocked off downtown street to look at various artists’ booths during Art Slash, a project of the Sioux City Art Center Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022 in Sioux City, Iowa. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Celebrating Art in Siouxland, Art Splash in Sioux City

Each fall around Labor Day the Sioux City Art Center puts on an art celebration in Siouxland known as Art Splash. A juried group of various types of artists from around the region set up booths to display their wares for people to buy. And most people, depending on the weather, come out to enjoy what’s there and some go home happier with newly acquired pieces of art.

Visitors browse the artists’ booths during the 25th anniversary of Art Splash at Riverside Park in Sioux City, Iowa Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

 

Joseph Murray of Jefferson, Iowa sits among his paintings during the 25th anniversary of Art Splash at Riverside Park in Sioux City, Iowa Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

The location of the event has changed over the years. Up until 2011 it was held in a park along the Missouri River, when during that year the hundred year flood forced a relocation. Then it was held in Grandview Park, where the hills may have presented a challenge for people to walk up and down to view the artists.

Now in its 25th year, the event is at Riverside Park, nestled among a flat woodland area that later hosts the community’s Riverssance Festival as well. I enjoy going each year just to see what people are doing. At this point in my life I have fewer needs for more things, and the ability to afford art now is prohibitive for me personally. But it doesn’t mean one can’t draw inspiration and enjoy a day out and see what creative people are doing. And the artists are not limited to just visual arts. One artist, Paul Imholte, bills himself as a stringman and plays a variety of instruments.

Artists’ booth sit among a grove of trees during the 25th anniversary of Art Splash at Riverside Park in Sioux City, Iowa Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

 

Stringman Paul Imholte performs on a hammer dulcimer during the 25th anniversary of Art Splash at Riverside Park in Sioux City, Iowa Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

And different people take away from the event different experiences that may be portraits or time spent with family. Even during those years of inclement weather, people can still enjoy what is offered.

Chun Wang of Shawnee KS works on a sketch of Ben Honomichl of Jefferson, SD during the 25th anniversary of Art Splash at Riverside Park in Sioux City, Iowa Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

 

A mother and son enjoy a bit of lunch along with a number of their closest friends during the 25th anniversary of Art Splash at Riverside Park in Sioux City, Iowa Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Art Splash makes for a nice Labor Day weekend activity both for the artists and area residents who are supporting people who also labor, but in a creative manner adding another oft times needed dimension to life.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

The Sioux CIty Growth Organization decorated their booth with balloons to draw attention to themselves during the 25th anniversary of Art Splash at Riverside Park in Sioux City, Iowa Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

 

Two young artists due their best to add to an already colorful pickup truck to make an overcast and rainy 25th anniversary of Art Splash more memorable which was held at Riverside Park in Sioux City, Iowa Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

 

Vvian Miller of Akron, IA talks with a couple interested attendees during the 25th anniversary of Art Splash at Riverside Park in Sioux City, Iowa Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Celebrating Art with a Splash in Siouxland, Sioux City

Early September brought Art Splash again to Siouxland at Riverside Park in Sioux City. A number of artists that are local, regional and others present their expressions for area residents to view and purchase. It is a juried exhibition set in a park setting with an entertainment stage.

Various musical acts perform and the sound wafts over the park area. It’s fun to attend and for collectors a chance to add more items to their walls or gardens and for others a chance to be inspired by what they see. Ceramics, photography, oil and water and pastel paintings, wood working, jewelry, metalurgy, clothing, Art Splash is a plethora of a feast to fill one’s eyes.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

Photographer Gary Nelson stands among some of his scenic photographs on display at Art Splash in Riverside Park in Sioux City, Iowa, Sept. 3, 2016. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Local artist Amy Foltz of Sioux City, Iowa performs her judging duties during Art Splash in Riverside Park in Sioux City, Iowa, Sept. 3, 2016. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Visitors check out various artist displays at Art Splash in Riverside Park in Sioux City, Iowa, Sept. 3, 2016. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

An artist takes a peek out of the back of his display at Art Splash in Riverside Park in Sioux City, Iowa, Sept. 3, 2016. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

The band Titans of Industry perform at Art Splash in Riverside Park in Sioux City, Iowa, Sept. 3, 2016. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Paul Imholte, St. Cloud, MN, fiddles away his time at Art Splash in Riverside Park in Sioux City, Iowa, Sept. 3, 2016. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Artist Klaire Pearson, right, of Vermillion, SD, ties an apron of printed wearble art onto Aaliyah Davies, center, of Sioux City, Iowa, as she is accessorized by assistant Janelle Lafrentzat Art Splash in Riverside Park in Sioux City, Iowa, Sept. 3, 2016. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

A couple shoot photos of themselves in front of an art exhibit piece currently at the Sioux City Art Center by artist John Himmelfarb during Art Splash in Riverside Park in Sioux City, Iowa, Sept. 3, 2016. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Artist displays are set among trees at Art Splash in Riverside Park in Sioux City, Iowa, Sept. 3, 2016. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

 

 

Siouxland’s Art Splash 20th anniversary

This year is the Sioux City Art Center‘s 20th anniversary  of its 2-day festival, Art Splash, where artists from around the nation offer their unique vision for sale to attendees, as well as entertainment and activities for children and families. Over 100 artists featuring ceramics, photography, drawing, mixed media, glass, jewelry, fiber, metalworks, wood and painting are in attendance. The artists hail from Minnesota, Missouri, Wisconsin, South Dakota, Iowa, South Carolina, Illinois, Texas, Florida and Arizona. This year the festival was held in a new location, Riverside Park. For many years, this festival was located along the city’s riverfront, along the Missouri River. But in 2011 the Missouri flooded, and a new location was needed. That year and the following year the festival was held in the city’s Grandview Park. It is a nice park, and where a summer music festival, Saturday in the Park, is held each year. But there are hills in Grandview, and limited parking. So this year, the festival is held at Riverside Park. Flat and shade trees, lots of parking nearby. It seemed like a nice solution, but sometimes the obvious can leave one scratching your head in understanding.

From a few casual conversations with artists and people attending, many wondered why the area the artists’ booths were designated to set up in was in the sun, when a lot of nearby area where there were shade trees was under utilized or not used at all. The recent week has been brutal with heat and humidity, as can be normal for the month of August. Mother Nature’s one last hurrah. A number of people also wondered why the festival didn’t return to the riverfront now that the flood is two years in remission and normalcy has returned to the area with cleanup done and that area restored. Also,  a shuttle bus was set up to run to the park from a downtown events center, alleviating any concern about parking near the festival. But the parking lot was three quarters full of a car dealerlship’s vehicles as an extension of its local showroom, not leaving much room for shuttle users to park.

It’s said that planning is everything, but sometimes it just leaves one wondering.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa