A year ago Pam Passera, Recreation Program Director for the Portage Parks Department, wanted to have a fine arts show in Portage and connected with the Southshore Arts Council and there met Rita Berg, who is part of the board at the Chesterton Art Center, and the idea for a Harvest Festival in Portage was birthed. Artists from around the country joined local wineries, musical performers and other vendors in this first annual event. The event was hosted on Saturday and Sunday, October 8 and 9, at Woodland Park and drew quite a crowd.
"For a first year's show, I'm impressed, because there's such a good mixture," said Passera. "There's so many different things to look at and the artists have been wonderful."
Artwork consisted of paintings, jewelry, basket weaving, metal work, wood work, mixed media, and photography. Mike Webber of Angola, Indiana was awarded Best Display which featured still life and landscapes via transparent watercolor. The sole mixed media artist, Crystal Overhill of Plainwell, Michigan, displayed her vibrant colors inspired by the colors of Mexico, and she said that a lot of her work is focused on the strength of women. If you didn't know, mixed media essentially is taking little trinkets that people toss out and using it to make art.
The handful of wine vendors were present as well explaining their different wines and allowing guests to try them out. All of the different wines were delicious, not to mention the chocolate and cheese vendor as well. Jonathan Clineman of Butler Winery in Bloomington, Indiana shared his numerous red and white wines as well as a unique blackberry wine that would make one tinge with excitement especially if your interest is sweet wine. It's also important to note that Butlery Winery has a taste testing room in Chesterton as well on 4th and Broadway.
Kim White of Kim's Specialty Chocolates also of Chesterton enthusiastically shared her handmade chocolate treats with guests. She started her company just three years ago out of her home, but you wouldn't be able to tell. Kim offered an amazing assortment including raspberry clusters, peanut clusters, peppermint bark, butter crunch, toffee bunch and peanut bunch. Chocolate and wine was an awesome mixture.
Musical artists that performed this weekend were Chris and Lou, Terry Sulcer, Mario Moreno, and Christina and Johnsie Mays and really added to the entire experience. If you missed this year's event, be sure not to miss next year as the Harvest Festival next year is already scheduled for the first weekend of October.
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