Art on the Boardwalk to Feature Local Artists, Family Fun

On Saturday, the St. Charles County Arts Council will host its first ever Art on the Boardwalk event outdoors on the boardwalk in the Winghaven neighborhood.

The event will run from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. and feature more than a dozen artists.

A variety of media will be represented, including ceramics, crafts, oils, watercolors, acrylics and jewelry. The art will be available for purchase by the public.

In addition to artists’ wares, there will be festival food for purchase, a face painter, and a balloon creations artist to entertain the children. The band First to Rise, from and the ensemble band will provide music during the event, which is free to the public.

Nationally known artist, Ron Hauser, who is based out of St. Charles, will be demonstrating his painting techniques during the afternoon. Hauser, also known as the “Canvas Cowboy,” has helped the local art community, donating his time for various events. His passion runs beyond the local arts, and he has been recognized for his work promoting and supporting horse therapy for disabled children.

That evening from 6  until 9 p.m., the St. Charles County Arts Council will host a reception for the artists and the general public. Barbara Marshall, president of the Board of The St. Charles County Arts Council, said the reception is one of the major fundraising events for the arts council this year.

The evening reception will be held at the Lillian Yahn Gallery, 7443 Village Center Drive. It will feature a silent auction of artwork donated by the participating artists, music by the St. Charles County High School Ensemble Band, and hors d'oeuvres supplied by several local restaurants.

Major sponsors of the event include Lindell Bank, Llywelyn’s Pub, Bristol’s Seafood Grill, Outback Steakhouse, Massa’s Italian, Chevys Fresh Mex and Winghaven Country Club, with some of those restaurants providing food for the event. Many of the restaurants have provided gift cards for the auction.

Tickets for the reception are still available. They are $25 per couple in advance or $35 per couple at the door. Contact Barbara Marshall at 314-922-6573 for information about attending the reception.

In the event of heavy rain, the indoor evening reception will proceed as planned, however, the alternate date for Art on the Boardwalk is Sunday.

The St. Charles County Arts Council’s mission is to increase awareness and support of various arts organizations and activities in the county. The council, which is run out of the Lillian Yahn Gallery, hosts multiple exhibits at the gallery throughout the year.

The council also matches area volunteers with appropriate arts organizations within the county. Additionally, the council awards scholarships to area high school students pursuing degrees in the arts  and promotes other arts related functions in the area.

Funding for the council activities comes primarily through private and government grants, membership dues, donations, and fundraisers, such as receptions typically hosted after a gallery hanging, Marshall said.

This year, a majority of the council’s funding has come from the Missouri Arts Council in the form of a grant.