Artistic Triumph at the Spirit of the St. Croix Art Festival
The Hudson Chamber of Commerce and the Phipps Center for the Arts hosted the Spirit of the St. Croix Art Festival, where more than 80 regional art vendors competed for top honors. After a rigorous judging process, three finalists emerged, each showcasing their unique artistic talents and captivating the festival-goers.Elevating the Creative Spirit in the Heart of the St. Croix
Luci Haas Earns Best in Show with Her Captivating Soda-Fired Pottery
Luci Haas, the owner of Adorae Artworks, wowed the judges and attendees alike with her exceptional soda-fired pottery. This unique firing technique, where the artist adds a secondary glaze to the flame during the firing process, creates a stunning glass-like appearance that sets Haas' work apart. "People seem to think it's really earthy; I think it's more like modern, unique, hippy dippy," Haas said with a laugh, describing the allure of her pottery.Haas' passion for her craft is evident in every piece she creates. Deriving the name of her company from her middle name, Adorae, she made a promise to her mother that if she ever owned a business, she would incorporate her middle name. "True to my word," Haas said, showcasing her dedication to honoring her roots and her family's influence on her artistic journey.
April Krause's Ceramic Creations Earn Second Place
Participating in the Spirit of the St. Croix Art Festival for the first time, April Krause, the owner of AP Clay, impressed the judges with her exceptional ceramic work. Krause's journey as an artist has been a long-standing one, as she explained, "I had too much sitting there," referring to the abundance of art she had created over the years. However, it was only recently that she decided to start selling her work, driven by the need to afford the supply costs of her craft."Ceramics is not a cheap hobby," Krause acknowledged, highlighting the financial challenges that many artists face in pursuing their passion. Her decision to share her art with the world has not only allowed her to offset the costs of her materials but has also brought joy and appreciation to those who encounter her creations.
Leanne Hanson's Realistic Impressionist Oil Paintings Capture the Beauty of Nature
Leanne Hanson, the owner of Leanne Hanson Art Painting, made her debut at the Spirit of the St. Croix Art Festival, showcasing her remarkable oil paintings that capture the essence of nature. Hanson's approach to her art is that of a "realistic impressionist," where she ventures into the natural world, capturing photographs and videos, and then translates those experiences onto the canvas."I don't have the patience for that," Hanson said, explaining her preference for working in the studio rather than painting en plein air. Her dedication to preserving the beauty of the natural world through her art has resonated with festival-goers, who have been captivated by the realism and emotion conveyed in her paintings.
Elaine Schultz's Glass Art Earns the Inaugural People's Choice Award
In addition to the top three finalists, the Spirit of the St. Croix Art Festival also introduced the inaugural People's Choice award, which was presented to Elaine Schultz of This and That Glass. Attendees at the festival had the opportunity to vote for their favorite artist by scanning the QR codes displayed on each of the booths, and Schultz's glass art emerged as the clear favorite among the festival-goers.The Phipps Center for the Arts, which co-hosted the event, assembled a panel of judges that included two members of their Visual Arts Council and a community member with an art background to evaluate the submissions and select the finalists. This diverse and experienced team ensured that the judging process was thorough and fair, ultimately recognizing the exceptional talents of the artists who participated in the Spirit of the St. Croix Art Festival.
