Art in the Park: A Showcase of Local Artists

Artists from all over the Inland Empire gathered around Smiley Park in Redlands to display and sell their work during the Redlands Art Festival. This annual event gives the opportunity for artists of every medium to showcase their work, which creates a market place for attendees looking to purchase art. The Festival also included an area for kids, and one for adults that showcased local beer and wine breweries. During the Festival, the exhibits at the Lincoln Memorial Shrine were also available. The event took place over two days, and two of the parks surrounding the A.K. Smiley Library. It was large enough to be able to give attendees the opportunity to look at all the displays, but small enough to be able to see everything in a timely fashion. The event celebrated and supported local art of all mediums. Sculptors, painters, craftsman, and photographers all joined together into one community event. Local photographer and first time Festival participant, Bruce Herwig, said, “There’s a good community of artists, and this festival really brings out the best of them.” Indeed, there was the best art, as there was a steady amount of foot traffic for the artists, despite the rainy weather. “When you show support for the arts,” Herwig stated, “it means you’re showing support for the community.”