"One of the best shows around:" Lakefront Festival of Art is Art Museum's biggest fundraiser
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Milwaukee's lakefront this weekend played host to the Lakefront Festival of Art.
For 50 years, the Lakefront Festival of Art has been bringing art to life on the city's lakefront. Beginning in 1963, the three-day fundraising event has evolved from a gathering of a handful of artists to an event that has something for everyone!
From the accomplished artist to the creative kid, all were welcome at the 2014 Lakefront Festival of Art.
"It's one of the best shows around," a Lakefront Festival of Art attendee told FOX6 News.
"There’s so much to do that you could never do it in one day," another person FOX6 News spotted on the lakefront said.
With close to 30,000 attendees and more than 170 jury-selected artists from across the nation, the Lakefront Festival of Art has art, food, music, and activities for the whole family.
The event is in its 52nd year, and is one of the top 25 art festivals in the country.
"What’s great about this festival is we have to re-invent it every year," Krista Renfrew said.
Renfrew says this means a new collection of artists -- chosen from thousands of applicants.
"We are a juried show, so that means we follow certain rules. So everything has to be handmade. The artist has to be on-site. So, everything you see here is one-of-a-kind," Renfrew said.
"You purchase and you fall in love with things that speak to you—not because of the history or how it’s made necessarily, but something just pops out at you -- so to meet the person who made it, find out their inspiration -- it just ties it together even more," Renfrew said.
"I carve all of my ravens out of wood, and they're my messenger," Mark Orr said.
Orr says his inspiration comes from objects he finds and uses to create his works of art -- which he says he feels fortunate to feature during the Lakefront Festival of Art.
"The artists on the circuit, they find the good shows, so we’re all—all the best of us are trying to get into this show, so it’s an honor to get in. Whenever you get into a show that’s this good, it’s an honor," Orr said.
The Lakefront Festival of Art is the Milwaukee Art Museum's largest fundraiser -- and has helped the museum purchase more than 250 works of art!
CLICK HERE to learn more about the Lakefront Festival of Art -- and take a look at some of the works of art featured at this year's festival.