By Janet Gregg
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE

They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and at Highland Springs, there’s enough variety to please everyone.

In fact, there’s so much artistic talent, residents are holding a Visual Arts Expo twice a year, in the spring and fall.

The fall event featured 102 entries by 44 participants, all residents. Entries covered nearly 40 categories and included sculptures, wood carvings, paintings, drawings, computer art, and soft arts like quilts.

Creative vision
The first expo, in May, featured 31 artworks and lasted only a few hours. But the response was so positive that the Visual Arts Committee, which sponsored the event, decided to expand the second exhibition to two days.

"The only complaint we got about the first show was that it was just Saturday from one to three," says Ralph Baker, a member of the Visual Arts Committee. "Not everyone was able to drop by to see the exhibit. So this time we did it on a Saturday and a Sunday, and we had longer hours. It’s just one of the things we learned from the first exhibit."

Another change is that the second expo featured live demonstrations. Four artists showed attendees the techniques used in oil painting, painting miniatures, jewelry making, and creating paper art.

"For example, Tom Coady is a great big guy who paints little tiny miniatures. His nametag said, artiste de petite, or ‘the little painter,’" says Baker. "Obviously, we have a lot of fun with these exhibits."

Cache of talent
The event may be fun, but it’s also a big deal. Friends and family of those participating came from across the state to see the exhibit.

"The breadth of what we’re showing, both craft and fine art, is just amazing. There’s unbelievable talent here," Baker says.

He is among that talent.