Hoschton's Art Trax offers art, entertainment

Hoschton isn’t just a little town obsessed with scarecrows — it’s also a place where fine art meets entertainment.

That’s what will be the highlight of the Hoschton Art Trax festival on Saturday, April 18, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

From pottery to glass, the festival will not only feature works from local artists, but also performances from a high school drama group, Irish dancers, a storyteller and other musical acts.

Now in its third year, Art Trax organizers hope the free festival will draw tourists and art enthusiasts to Hoschton.

“(The festival) helps them know about the uniqueness of Hoschton,” said Robbie Bettis, one of the key organizers of the event and owner of several antique stores in the area.

Hoschton also became a popular tourist attraction during its world record quest for “The Most Scarecrows in One Location,” to promote the fall festival in 2008. The city also has an antique tractor show in the fall.

“It’s one of our several festivals that really does help the local restaurants that help people that haven’t seen our little town,” Bettis said. “We have several really nice, quaint restaurants on our Hoschton city square.”

The Hoschton Art Trax will span two locations on Ga. Hwy. 53 in downtown Hoschton – the depot area and city square.

Almost 30 local artists — including the city’s mayor — are scheduled to be featured at Art Trax. Mayor Bill Copenhaver will be demonstrating his artwork that uses wood.

Another artist will be Charlie Rakestraw, who uses large springs to shape into people-like figures.

“He’ll pull the spring back and they kind of dance,” Bettis said of the Jefferson artist.

Broderick Crawford, an award-winning stamp artist, will be the featured artist at the event.

Crawford’s work largely features outdoor scenes and he participates in numerous painting competitions. His work will be on display in the depot.

Other “inspiration station artists” will include Mildred Threadgill, demonstrating crayon art; Sariah Roth, a photographer; and Nicholas Gupta, a 15-year-old author.

Art Trax will kick off with an opening night event, including an auction, at the residence of Hoschton attorney Robin Wyatt. The invitation-only event will be held on Friday night.

The festival is a juried art show and sale, meaning a three to four-person jury reviewed the artists’ work and application before being asked to attend the event.

Several food vendors will also be available at the festival. Guests may park at Hoschton First Baptist Church, Hoschton United Methodist Church, the Hoschton Church of God of Prophecy and area secondary streets and walk to the festival area.

For more information, visit www.arttrax.org.

Artists
The Hoschton Art Trax will feature the following artists — according to their style of artwork — on Saturday, April 18.
Beth Fisher, Atlanta, charcoal; Craig and Kathleen Gill, Winder, glass; Arlene Phillips, Watkinsville, glass; Anne Rambo, Conyers, glass; Mariam Masankla, glass; Polly Beckton, Atlanta, jewelry; Laine Beckton, Mt. Vernon, Indiana, jewelry; Jessica Drexler, Gainesville, jewelry; Erik Schwartz, Gillsville, jewelry; Charlie Rakestraw, metal; Bob Bradford, Duluth, photography; Terry Scopelliti, Winder, photography; Carol Kennedy, Loganville, pottery; Anna Marino, Monroe, pottery; Linda Griffiths, Braselton, painting; Rene Hewitt, Winder, painting; Brenda K. McDaniel, Good Hope, painting; William Presley, Maysville, painting; Luz Rodriguez, Braselton, painting; Alan R. Young, Jasper, painting; Chad Chatam, Lawrenceville, stone; Alfredo M. Arroyo, Athens, wood; Bill Copnehaver, Hoschton, wood; and Michael Gibson, Hoschton, wood.

Entertainment on Lower Stage
•11-11:45 a.m.: Jefferson High School Drama Dragons performing selections of upcoming performance of “Oklahoma!”
•12-1:45 p.m.: “Upfront Barbershop Quartet,” Stone Mountain, will stroll through the town.
•1:45-2:45 p.m.: “Just Passen Thru,” bluegrass group.
•3-3:45 p.m.: Irish dance group from the Drake School of Dance.
•4-4:45 p.m.: “The Gainesville Strummers Dulcimer Group,” Gainesville

Entertainment in the Hoschton City Square
•11:30-12 p.m.: “Half Fast,” local light rock group playing original music.
•12-12:30 p.m.: “Miss Donna,” storyteller from Nicholson.
•12:30-1:45 p.m.: Keith Davis, early American flute player.
•2-2:45 p.m.: “Miss Donna.”
•3-5 p.m.: “Half Fest.”