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Artisan's Village at the State Fair

For eleven days each August, the Friends of the Visual Arts partner with the Oregon State Fairgrounds to manage and operate the Artisan's Village at the Oregon State Fair. Artists and craftspeople come to the Village to teach, demonstrate, and show off their skills. Many will invite YOU to try your hand as well!

Our History with the Artisan Village

The 2010 Village Artisans

  • Pottery and Raku Ceramics, sponsored by the Willamette Art Center.

    Not only do we host the Artisan's Village, we put on our own exhibit. Choose a handmade ceramic pot, glaze it, and we'll fire it on the spot in our Raku Kiln. In an hour, you can come back and pick up your own creation.
  • Chainsaw Carving, featuring the Whited Brothers.

    Who runs this family, anyway? Watch the Whited Brothers Rip It Up with their chainsaws, creating art as big as a tree or tiny enough for your desk.
  • Berg Artworks, featuring Sharon Nyberg.

    Sharon uses a Lampworking torch to melt glass strips or rods to make glass beads. If you're a bead lover, you'll want to pull up a chair and watch--and you'll go crazy over her detailed, dichroic creations!
  • Steambaby, featuring Mac McGowan.

    Fire up your airship for an adventure in Victorian elegance: Steampunk has arrived! Goggles, leather wear, and other props made with clockwork parts and other 19th century sensibilities.
  • Art in the Making, featuring Jenny Armitage.

    In the cool of the morning, Jenny will demonstrate her polymer clay sculptures. In the afternoon, when the clay is too warm and soft, she will paint watercolor figures and landscapes.
  • Lavender Thyme Herb Farm, featuring Taffy Donalson.

    A booth of Wonderful Scents, including farm dried lavender bouquets, linen mists and lavender oil. Your nose won't want to miss this booth.
  • Carvings by Dave, featuring Dave Disselbrett.

    Whittle away the warm afternoon with Dave and his gallery of marvelous animals and characters, all hand carved and painted.
  • Art of the Grand Ronde, featuring Patricia Allen.

    Watch Patricia do intricate beadwork on leather, along with other arts of Northwest Native Americans.
  • Life Masks, featuring Beverly Toyu.

  • Elizabeth Jewelry, featuring Molly Rahe.

    Uniquely handcrafted Jewelry. All genuine Sterling Silver, gemstones, freshwater pearls and swarovski crystals with a touch of the increasingly popular cubic Zirconia beads.
  • Center Stage Puppets, featuring William Walther.

    William has been a master puppeteer, children's book author, and artist for 30 years, and is a popular guest at many Oregon schools. Enjoy a puppet show, then learn how to make your own!
  • Portraits, by Li Tie.

    Li is amazing! His portraits really capture the spirit and liveliness of their subjects. Have him sketch YOUR portrait while you pose--for individuals or groups--or choose from his many lovely originals!
  • The Capitol Woodcarvers.

    Members of the Capitol Woodcarvers guild--the same folks who created the beloved Salem Riverfront Carousel--will demonstrate all aspects of the time-honored art of wood carving.
  • Simply Unbeadable, featuring Louann Person.

    Beaded jewelry.
  • "Glassblowers Local 503" featuring Matt Clark, Elin Sanders, Zoe Bacon, and Lucy Blue Berger.

    This booth is HOT! Watch in amazement as molten glass takes shape right before your eyes.
  • Keppol Artistics, featuring Kassy Keppol.

    Wonderful fat fimo dragons--sculptures and wearables--as well as a children's books illustrated with dragon characters.
  • Stone Polishing by K.K. Creations, featuring Wes Kesten.

    Watch Wes take a "boring old rock" and reveal incredible beauty within, as he carves and polishes geodes, fossils, Oregon Sunstones, and much more. He even has fossilized dinosaur doo-doo, no kidding! Come get in touch with history in a unique way!
  • Art in Oils, featuring Markus Willis.

    Come see why Markus has the longest-running booth at the Artisan Village. His oil paintings are rich and unique--many of them are painted on tiny canvases that are assembled into a final montage. As always, Markus will be painting in the booth throughout the fair--come learn some tips from a master!
  • Silver Tide Jewelry, featuring Robert Peters.

    Chain-linked jewelry showcasing the craft of Silversmithing. Whether you want straight-up silver or brilliant anodized color, Robert can link it up into a unique creation for you.
  • Fabric Collage, featuring Connie Veenker.

    Connie uses fabric to build abstract images full of texture. Each is different, some having felting, beading, vintage fabrics and painting incorporated into the final design.
  • Yarn and Fiber Arts, sponsored by the Aurora Colony Handspinners' Guild.

    Spinners, knitters, weavers and other fiber artists will knock your socks off--and then make new ones--amidst beautiful yarns and wool garments hand spun, dyed, and crafted here in Oregon.
  • Pyrofuse, featuring Robert Fox.

    Robert uses the Lampwork torch technique to create glass pendants, earrings, and whimsical mermaids.

Food and Drink

Stop by one of our vendors for a yummy treat to enjoy as you tour the Village or listen to some live music!

  • Cafe Today.

    Espresso, scones, and other fresh goodies.
  • Organic Orange Juice.

    Delicious cold juice, squeezed for you right on the spot.
  • J Gelati.

    Freshly made organic frozen custard and Italian ices, the perfect cooler for a summer afternoon.

Sponsors



The City of Salem Transient Occupancy Tax fund has contributed a Special Event grant in support of the Artisan's Village and Village Stage.



The 2010 Village Stage

Four unique shows each day, starting at 11:00, 2:00, 5:00 and 6:00. Come check out the best of Oregon's acoustic musicians and support the Local Music Scene!

Friday
Aug 27
11 - 1
Susanna & Sara Gardner
Folk

2 - 4
Matt Meighan
Folk and Blues

5 - 5:30
All Nations Drummers
Native American Drumming

6 - 8
Ken Vigil and Friends
Bluegrass/Americana

Saturday
Aug 28

11 - 1
The No! Kidding! Choir
Gospel

2 - 4
Michael Torrey
Indie/Pop

5 - 5:30
Grand Bagpipe Parade
The ODF Pipe Band

Parade tours the Fairgrounds
and ends at the Village Stage,
followed by Scottish Music on the lawn.

6 - 8
Andrew Kendoll
Classic Rock

Sunday
Aug 29

11 - 1
DonnaLynn
Folk

2 - 4
Sweet Home Band
Folk/Pop

4:30 - 5:30
Dr. Atomic's Medicine Show
Musical Satire

6 - 8
GTM String Band
Bluegrass

Monday
Aug 30

11 - 1
Daniel Work
Singer/Songwriter

2 - 4
Uncle Yascha
Existential Klezmer Jazz

5 - 5:30
Molly and Kirsten
Viola Duo

6 - 8
Home Grown Band
Old Time Music

Tuesday
Aug 31

11 - 1
Andrew and Madison
Rock Duo Extraordinaire

2 - 4
Lyman Louis
Americana

5 - 5:30
Lara Putnam
A Capella

6 - 8
Biscuit Creek String Band
Fiddle Jigs and Reels

Wednesday
Sept 1

11 - 1
Eric McEuen
Folk/Acoustic Rock

2 - 4
Muriel Powers
Innovative Autoharp

5 - 5:30
Michaela VanCorbach
Flute

6 - 8
Dan Dover
Contemporary Folk

Thursday
Sept 2

11 - 1
Mirrors
Inspirational Folk

2 - 4
Therese Michaud
Light Jazz

5 - 5:30
The Treble Makers
Classical Strings

6 - 8
Tom Arnold
Alt/Country/Pop/Rock

Friday
Sept 3

11 - 1
TwoRivers Music
Americana/Folk

2 - 4
Chris Estes
Blues and More

4:30 - 5:30
Dr. Atomic's Medicine Show
Musical Satire

6 - 8
Chris Jones
Blues/Rock

Saturday
Sept 4

11 - 1
Dan Lowe
Contemporary

2 - 4
Will Hobbs
Americana

5 - 5:30
Teenage Thumb
Homage to Radiohead

6 - 8
Dan Weber
Acoustic Guitar

Sunday
Sept 5

11 - 1
Marianne Flemming
Hippie Chick Blues

2 - 4
Jack Martin
Folk, Rock & Blues

5 - 5:30
Mark Powers & the Kola Nuts
Percussion Ensemble

6 - 8
Silver Crick Band
Bluegrass

Monday
Sept 6

11 - 1
Whiskey Hill Jazz Club
Big Band Jazz

2 - 4
Maggie's Parlor
Irish Folk/Americana

5 - 5:30
All Nations Drummers
Native American Drumming

6 - 8
Steve Cheseborough
Mississippi Delta Blues