INSIGHT Magazine May 2018 | Page 10

Spring Art Park in the FESTIVAL by Kelsey Butler The first Spring Art in the Park Festival welcomes artists of all forms to Choccolocco Park in Oxford on May 12. The festival, sponsored by ArtWORKS Alliance, is free to attend and will run from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm. ArtWORKS Alliance co- founder, Randy Young, is working to make the Spring Art in the Park Festival a true art festival. “This means that all work must be created by the artist,” Young explains. “Since art comes in many forms, we welcome all kinds of examples of art.” You will see acrylic painting on canvas, oils, watercolors, stained glass, metalwork, 10 woodwork, handmade jewelry, handmade stuffed animals, and more from 25 artists who are registered for this unique festival. Art in the Park gatherings began in 2017 when Young and other artists began meeting at Choccolocco Park to paint. “We would set up around the park, and then we started meeting under the roof next to the playground.” Young says. “A lot of adults and children came by to see what we were doing.” When Young got the idea to host a festival at the park he got approval and began planning. He says, “I am sure that it will grow each year, and Choccolocco Park will become a premier place to come and experience May 2018 INSIGHT