Embark on Art in the Park...

 “Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.” - Thomas Merton

Art has a way of drawing people together (pun intended) while building community pride and appreciation for culture. Mark your calendar for the first annual Art in the Park, May 12th at Crystal Cove. Art in the Park, is the first  Arts festival in South Sioux and is a project through the Leadership Dakota County. Christine Wolf, Deb Copple, and Gabe Gill, who are members of the 2018 Leadership Dakota County class, have organized the free, family-friendly event which will feature visual artists from the region, local non-profit groups, children’s art and activity center, street performers, food trucks and more. 

The festival was opened up to all artists and craftspeople within accepted medium categories ensuring the event will have a little something for everyone. Just a few of the featured artists will include:

• Vonglan Pottery from Norfolk, NE

• Kristy Tremayne From Homer  Custom made Santa Claus’

• Sue Morfeld – Jewelry

• Steve’s Photos – Local, Regional, International Landscapes, wildlife and historical landmarks.

• NYE Street Studios, Features Unique perspective photography of Nebraska, other states and overseas.

• Jay Lewis – Western Art.  Drawings, Paintings, Wood Sculptures, 2D and 3D Mixed Media

• Siouxland Artists – Painting, Glass and Jewelry.

•  Lakeport Pottery - Lynn Johnson from Sioux City.

• Expressive Arts - from Akron, IA.

• Johny Binkard from Ponca - Watercolor, Wearable art.

Not only do art festivals pull the community in, the economic benefit cannot be denied. According to Arts & Economic Prosperity, the United States nonprofit arts industry generated $134 billion in economic activity during 2000, including $53.2 billion in spending by nonprofit arts organizations and $80.8 billion in event-related spending by arts audiences.

Introducing your children to art has also been linked to an increase in development, including, motor skills, cultural awareness, language development, decision making, visual learning, and, Inventiveness. 

 
According to a report by Americans for the Arts, art education strengthens problem-solving and critical-thinking skills. The experience of making decisions and choices in the course of creating art carries over into other parts of life. “If they are exploring and thinking and experimenting and trying new ideas, then creativity has a chance to blossom,” says MaryAnn Kohl, an arts educator and author of numerous books about children’s art education.

 
Furthermore, studies have shown a correlation between art and improved academic performance.  

If that hasn't convinced you enough to stop out and enjoy this amazing event, what if we mentioned there will be balloon animals, face painting, and a food truck with funnel cakes, kettle corn, spiral potatoes, and lemonade! See you there! 

Crystal Cove
W 39th St & Timberline Drive
South Sioux City, NE 68776

The South Sioux Chamber of Commerce loves spotlighting community events and showcasing our beautiful community.  With long-standing roots in our community, our mission is to increase business, quality of life, and employment in the greater Siouxland Area. If you are interested in becoming a member, or want to learn more about upcoming events please visit http://southsiouxchamber.org. 

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Sources:

https://www.pps.org/article/how-art-economically-benefits-cities

http://www.pbs.org/parents/education/music-arts/the-importance-of-art-in-child-development/