Wishing Spring Gallery to hold festival May 17-18
BELLA VISTA, Ark. — The Wishing Spring Gallery May Arts and Crafts Festival will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 17-18 on the grounds of the gallery at 8862 West McNelly Road in Bella Vista, Ark.
Rosie Floyd of the Artisan Alliance at Wishing Spring said admission is free, original artisan works from members and non-members will be juried, and food trucks will be on hand. Shoppers can find original, one-of-a-kind items, she said.
Artisans are from Bella Vista, Bentonville, Boles, Gravette, Rogers, Springdale, Oklahoma and Missouri. Applications for artisans are still being accepted through May 1. Items for sale will include glass art, candles, wood crafts, paintings, pottery, jewelry, specialty pet products, and a variety of textile works.
The festival will be held outdoors, but the gallery will also be open during the event.
The Artisan Alliance at Wishing Spring holds another festival in October, and both festivals help raise funds for art education in the community, Floyd said. Each year, the alliance presents scholarships to graduating high school seniors for higher education in fine and applied arts. Four scholarships have been awarded in the past two years, and this year, one will be awarded. Current scholarship students are enrolled at the Kansas City Art Institute, Northwest Arkansas Community College, the University of Arkansas, and the University of Central Arkansas, Floyd said.
Floyd also said the festival would be a good way for students to volunteer and earn community education hours, as well as an opportunity to network with artisans from the area. To volunteer, contact Floyd at rosielovesart2018@gmail.com.
The October Arts and Crafts Festival is set for Oct. 17, 18, and 19, and vendor applications will be available soon on the gallery’s website, wishingspringgallery.net.
The October Arts and Crafts Festival was formerly held on Forest Hills Blvd. before covid. This is the third year the May festival has been held.
The Artisan Alliance sponsors both the Wishing Spring Gallery and the Clay Studio at Wishing Spring. Floyd said the public is welcome to visit both and participate in classes and educational opportunities.