Artists brought paintings, crafts, photographs, sculpture and jewelry to downtown Belleville for the annual Art on the Square, which continues Sunday with live entertainment, food and drinks.
Metro-east residents Stephen and Holly Thompson said they like the opportunity to see artists from across the country without traveling far. They first came to the region to work at Scott Air Force Base and have been attending the community event ever since.
On Saturday, the Thompsons brought relatives who were visiting from as far as California to Art on the Square. They were in town for graduations. “It’s a free distraction for family,” Holly Thompson said.
Artists have traveled just as far, coming from 33 states including California, Nevada, New York and Massachusetts. Local artists from the St. Louis region, including Millstadt, also have booths at this year’s event. And local high school students’ work is on display in the lobby of the Mathis, Marifian & Richter building.
Among the national artists’ works are photographs of live tree frogs, glass sculptures of miniature rock climbers and handwoven crafts, with one artist choosing sweetgrass and another aluminum as their medium.
Artist Janvier Ngamije, who came from Lewisville, Texas, makes handwoven baskets from sweetgrass, a skill he said he learned from his mother and grandmother. It takes 10-40 hours to weave the baskets, depending on their size. He keeps a basket-in-progress in his booth to show interested patrons.
“I can’t imagine,” one woman who stopped by his booth told him.
He said he passes the time by listening to podcasts.
It is Ngamije’s first year at Art on the Square.
Sunday is the final day of the event. Here’s what to know about the schedule, including information about a shuttle service and the entertainment you’ll find when you get there.
Hours Sunday are from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Art on the Square is free and open to the public.
No pets are allowed.
Sunday Entertainment at the Wine Court
Live entertainment is on the Wine Court stage on the corner of East Main Street and 23 Public Square.
Children’s Art Garden
The Children’s Art Garden is located on the northwest corner of North Illinois and West Main streets. Hours are noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.
Artist Demonstrations
Members of the Gateway East Artists Guild will provide free demonstrations featuring a variety of artistic skills in various media.
The booth for the demonstrations is near the corner of West Main and North First streets.
- 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sally Farrington, watercolor
- 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Lendy Middendorf, glass flameworking
- 1-3 p.m. Lendy Middendorf, glass flameworking
- 1-3 p.m. RoseMary Steuer, pencil drawing
- 3-5 p.m. Jay Burgmann, gouache/watercolor
- 3-5 p.m. Betty Burgmann, acrylic
- 3-5 p.m. Lendy Middendorf, glass flameworking
Art on the Square High School Exhibition
The Art on the Square High School Exhibition is open for viewing in the lobby of the Mathis, Marifian & Richter building at 23 Public Square in Belleville.
Viewing times are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.
The awards ceremony will take place at 2 p.m. Sunday in front of the courthouse.
Shuttle service
A shuttle bus is scheduled to arrive at the Belleville Scheel Street MetroLink station 10 minutes before the Art on the Square start time. Round trips will be made every 15 minutes. The final trip in the evening will leave from Main Street 20 minutes after the day’s scheduled end. The shuttle ends at East Main and North Jackson streets.
For more information about Art on the Square, visit artonthesquare.com or the Facebook page.
Reporter Jennifer Green contributed information to this report.
