The 17th Annual Maple Valley Days Arts Festival, hosted by the Maple Valley Creative Arts Council, was a resounding success. Over the course of two days, 3,600 visitors viewed artwork by local artists and students, listened to great musical and spoken word performances and participated in children’s and family art experiences.

We have many to thank for the Arts Fest’s success: all of the talented local artists; and performers: Maple Valley Idol, Jr. winners, Lexie Love, Benicio Bryant, Sophia Heinz and Hadley Strecker; Ed Corrigan; Jessi Jumper; Sarah Pasillas; Sealth, Dace Anderson and Arielle Young; Bears Were Bees, TJ Grant,; Typhoon; Natalie Murphy; Susanna Fuller; Jesse and Matt Siren; Maple Valley Big Band; Ryegrass; Anette Lusher; Helga Jaques; Linda Mock and the Maple Valley Youth Symphony Orchestra.

Thank you to 4 Culture for providing the funding for Arts Fest and its ongoing support of the arts.  Thank you to the City of Maple Valley for the use of the Lake Wilderness Lodge, a beautiful backdrop for displaying artwork.  Thank you to the Water Distillery for donating refreshing water for our guests.

We owe much to our wonderful volunteers: Ed Corrigan; Ken Fox; Hugh Glaser; Jared Goerke; Megan Goetz; Jules Gommi; Jim Hanna; Michael Haydel; Jessi Jumper; Travis Jumper; Wendee Mann; Patty Morrison; Byron Mucke; Renata Sitarz; Allegra Sundstrom; Carrie Sundstrom; Hayden Sundstrom; Len Sundstrom; and Nancy Ziegler.  We would also like to thank the helpful staff of the Lake Wilderness Lodge and the Maple Valley Days Committee.

Congratulations to our award winning artists: CPRS, Inc. Purchase Award: Tom Helman; Nancy Ziegler; Renee Williams and Doug Williams / Roessler Memorial Award: Gary LaTurner and Kathleen Fruge-Brown $100 ea. / Wilderness Business Park, Flynn Family Award: Deborah Drllevich and Jerry Baker. $100 ea. / MVCAC Award: Helga Jaques and Deborah Bagby. $50 ea. / Honorable Mention: Joanne Benzon. The Loft Salon Gift Certificate / 50 student artists received gift cards from Nutty Squirrel Gelato.

Be sure to visit the 18th Annual Arts Festival next year during Maple Valley Days.

Mary Jane Glaser
President
Maple Valley Creative Arts Council