The fourth annual Art on the Hill at Rogers State University will feature celebrated regional artists showing and selling their works, along with artist demonstrations, live music, theatre, food and family fun on Sept. 20-21.
The two-day festival will be held from 12 noon to 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21, on the RSU campus in Claremore. The event is free and open to the public.
Artwork in a variety of media by regional artists will be displayed under tents on the campus lawn in a festival atmosphere. The works will be available for sale.
Internationally recognized graphic designer Robynne Raye, co-founder of Modern Dog Design Co. of Seattle, Wash., will be participating in public events on Friday, including a 1 p.m. screen-printing workshop and a 5 p.m. gallery talk about an exhibition of her works currently on display in RSU’s Foundations Gallery.
There also will be artist demonstrations from area artists, including Jerry Yarnell, star of the public television series “Paint This with Jerry Yarnell” and woodturning artist Jerry Emanuel. Six members of the RSU Department of Fine Arts, who are each recognized artists, also will be presenting demonstrations on both Friday and Saturday.
Proceeds from the event will benefit scholarships for RSU fine arts students. Last year, through an Art on the Hill sponsorship by Leonard and Kathy Szopinski, four Possibilities Scholarships were presented to incoming and returning RSU students.
“Art on the Hill is a fabulous opportunity for area residents to come enjoy a myriad of artistic and musical experiences on our beautiful campus,” said RSU First Lady Peggy Rice, who serves as co-chair of the event committee.
The art will be judged during the festival by independent judges, and awards will be announced at a ceremony during the festival, said Gary Moeller, RSU art professor and event co-chair.
The event, sponsored by the RSU Student Art Association, also will feature children’s art activities with hands-on, “take home” projects for children of all ages. Activities will include graffiti art mural, tissue paper flowers, face painting, paper collage birds, coffee filter art, paper plate masks, Pablo Picasso portraits, jewelry station and a jellyfish installation. There also will be a children’s coloring contest with a chance for prizes.
Live music will be featured throughout the two-day event, with performances by RSU musical groups and local bands.
Tulsa Repertory Musicals will be performing the children’s musical, “Hank the Cowdog and Monkey Business.” Based on John Erickson’s wildly popular Hank the Cowdog book series, the play was adapted for the stage by David Blakely, RSU associate communications professor and director of the RSU Theatre Program.
The RSU Theatre Program also is scheduled to perform original 10-minute plays during the weekend at 4 p.m. both days.
A commemorative festival poster print, designed by RSU art student Francyne Melberg, will be available for sale for $15.
Food and refreshments will be provided by 2 Chefs on Wheels, a Tulsa area food truck that will be feature complete meals and a children’s menu.
For more information on the event or to register as a participating artist, call 918-343-7740.