Battle of the Brushes

The Firefly Arts Festival is a three day event that gives local artists the opportunity to showcase their talent and shine. This year, the event will be on October 11, 12 and 13 in the Lake Texoma area. Kasey Davis, the event organizer said the purpose of the Firefly Arts Festival is to “shine a light on local talent.” Davis said this year’s gala will have two added bonuses, the Battle of the Brushes and the Enchanted Woods Art Gallery. These two additions will be a chance for high school students, along with the community, to get involved. “I really wanted to inspire and get local students involved as much as possible so Firefly Art Festival created two outlets for that,” Davis said. The first added event is the Battle of the Brushes. This contest will be a chance for Madill and Kingston High School students to go head-to-head with their artistic talent. South Oklahoma Regional Disposal donated two metal dumpsters, and the students from their respective schools will paint the collection bins. Once they are completed, the trash bins will be moved to the event for judging, and people can vote on their favorite with a dollar donation per vote. All of the proceeds will go back to the schools to assist in each one’s art program. The second new addition is the Enchanted Woods Art Gallery. This was created so anybody can be a part of the magic.

“We also wanted artist young [and] old to be able to be involved, so we cut boards to be used as canvases and opened it up to the public to pick one up and paint them.  As you enter the entrance at the festival, you will see local kids and some senior citizens’ artwork hung up along the walking path and trees, which we are calling our Enchanted Woods Art Gallery,” Davis said.

Along with the two new events, Davis said the festival has something for everyone. “We have a plethora of talented individuals in the Lake Texoma area and this is a great event for all to come see and appreciate hand created items from local artist.”

Davis noted that they even gave more chances for artists to shine by holding a t-shirt design contest, and Nancy Griffith won it.

The event will have live demos, like chainsaw artist Daniel Miller, local students with face painting booths and henna art. There will be food trucks and live performances from singer/songwriter Aaron Hale and the Red Clay Gypsies.

Davis said it is a free community event and is open to any and all who wish to attend. It will be held at LaJeanne’s Plants and Things at 6909 Enos Road. The events will be held on Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and on Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.