It’s time again for the annual Art and the Vineyard Festival, with many artists, old and new, showing their work and finishing with the traditional fireworks display on the Fourth of July

Above: A brightly colored painting called “27 Birds” will be part of artist Jennifer Lommers’ booth display at Art and the Vineyard from July 2-4 at Alton Baker Park in Eugene.

By Randi Bjornstad

Ocean Lotus Pin is one of festival jewelry artist Ruly Deen’s creations

Nearly 100 artists will be participating in this year’s Art and the Vineyard Festival, the key annual event held by the Maude Kerns Art Center in Eugene’s Alton Baker Park to help support the center’s facility, exhibits and classes.

Fully a third of the participating artists who will be showing and selling their artwork in mediums that range include painting, metal, glass, fiber, photography, specialty crafts, jewelry, wood, ceramics, sculpture and mixed-media installations are new to the festival this year, publicity coordinator Marsha Shankman said.

Among them is Ruly Deen, a 40-year jewelry maker from Spokane who will show her personal amulets

that carry symbolic meanings.

“Bear by the Tetons” is one of Jamie Gentile’s tiny paintings

Painter Jaimee Gentile of Eugene will display her 2-inch by 3-inch miniature watercolor paintings of landscapes, birds and animals.

In the pottery arena, David Nelson of Mill City will bring hand-thrown pieces finished with a special, crystalline glazing process.

Ceramics artist David Nelson also will show and sell his work at Art and the Vineyard. This is his “Peridot Tree of Life”

Many other artists have participated in Art and the Vineyard before, including Corvallis painter Jennifer Lommers, known for highly colored acrylics, often created with a “gestural” style defined as a quick or energetic brush stroke that conveys feeling in the same sense that a speaker conveys meaning with physical gestures.

In addition to the art displays and sales, many area wineries are on hand with samples and sales of their particular vintages, and there’s an international food court offering a wide variety of menu items.

Festival activities begin at 10 a.m. daily. The art marketplace closes at 7:30 p.m., followed by headliner entertainment on July 2 and 3 and the Eugene Active 20-30 Club’s Freedom Festival Fireworks on July 4.

Pigs on the Wing, a Pink Floyd tribute band, will perform at 8 p.m. on July 2. On July 3, the show will be “Arrival From Sweden: The Music of ABBA,” also at 8 p.m. The High Street Band plays interactive rock and jazz from 8:30 p.m. to 10:15 p.m. on July 4 , followed by the fireworks on the Fourth of July, which begin at dusk.

One-day admission to the festival is $10 for ages 15 years and older, $5 for youths ages 6-14 years and free for younger children. A three-day admission pass is $25.

Reserved seating for the “Arrival From Sweden” show is $35.

Parking is $5 on July 2 and $10 on July 3. On July 4, there is no onsite parking, but festival attendees may park that day at the Slocum Center at 55 Coburg Road. The Center for Appropriate Transport will provide valet bicycle parking at the DeFazio Bridge entrance.

Tickets to the festival are available at the door or in advance at artandthevineyard.org/.

For information, call the Maude Kerns Art Center at 541-345-1571.