Fairfield Art Association Mark Shafer Membership Exhibit

The Fairfield Art Association hosted its 59th annual Mark Shafer Membership Exhibit Opening and "Celebration of Artists and Art" on Friday, Feb. 7, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Main Gallery at the Fairfield Arts & Convention Center. Members, artists, and guests attended the event. Up to fifty area artists have participated in this exhibit in recent years, and this year, they entered 1 to 2 artworks each in various media. As artists and members gathered, "Woodchuck Warmers" were served along with a charcuterie table. Throughout the evening, attendees mingled and learned more about the FAA and its offerings for all ages. Voting for a favorite art entry also took place. A brief program and award presentation began at 7 p.m. Mt. Pleasant artist Ann Klingensmith served as the exhibit's juror and critiqued the works after announcing four "Outstanding Art Works." This provided an excellent opportunity to hear about the outstanding qualities of an art piece. Klingensmith was a professor of art at Iowa Wesleyan College for years. She holds a B.A. in studio art from Graceland College and an MFA in printmaking from the University of Iowa. She is an award-winning printmaker, having solo exhibits regionally and nationally and at the FAA in 2010. Ann was the Featured Artist last year in the Iowa Artisans Gallery in Iowa City. The FAA Membership Exhibit will remain on display through the end of March. This event was supported in part by the Fairfield Cultural Alliance.