Toronto artist earns ‘Best of Show’
with his silk needle art

Ideal weather attracts
one of largest crowds ever, officials say

By Don Ward
Editor

2007 Madison Chautauqua Guide Cover

(October 2007) – Exhibitors and visitors to the 2007 Madison Chautauqua Festival of Art enjoyed two stellar days of ideal fall weather, resulting in one of the largest ever crowds ever, according to festival coordinator Georgie Kelly. Although the committee does not record attendance at the free event, most agreed that the crowds were noticeably large this year.
The event was held Sept. 29-30 in downtown Madison, Ind., and was highlighted by a Sunday visit by the Delta Queen steamboat.
More than 270 exhibitors filled the streets between Broadway and Vine Street and reported strong sales throughout the weekend, Kelly said. Meanwhile, the festival jurors selected several winners to receive awards at a Sunday morning ceremony on the North Lawn of the Lanier Mansion State Historic Site.
Verne Jidong Yan, a new exhibitor from Toronto, Ontario, Canada earned the Best of Show honors with his unique silk needle art. The judges comments said his work showed “incredible detailing.
Jeri Landers of Rutledge, Tenn., won the Best Presentation award. She makes colorful papercuttings, greeting cards, and illustrates children’s books. The judges said her booth showed “whimsy.”

Photo by Don Ward This year’s Madison Chautauqua Festival of Art award winners and some committee members posed for a photo Sept. 30 at the Lanier Mansion State Historic Site. Pictured with them are (front row from left) festival coordinator Georgie Kelly; Jeri Landers of Rutledge, Tenn.; Best of Show winner Verne Jidong Yan of Toronto; Duan Zhen Zhong of Indianapolis; Jerry Rymarquis of Taylor Mill, Ky.; Cathy Hillegas of Floyds Knobs, Ind.; and Madison Mayor Al Huntington. (Back row from left) Randy Reed, Chautauqua entertainment director; Molly Strader of Perrysburg, Ohio; Trudi Cooper of Manchester, Mich.; Kathleen Green of Groveport, Ohio; Julie and Mickey Swartz of the Chautauqua committee.

Chinese exhibitor Duan Zhen Zhong of Indianapolis won First Place in Fine Art with his oils and watercolors. He was a first-time Chautauqua exhibitor.
Nine-year exhibitor Cathy Hillegas of Floyds Knobs, Ind., won Second Place in Fine Art. She paints watercolors. Third Place in Fine Art was awarded to Kathleen Green of Groveport, Ohio. She is a two-time past award winner at the Chautauqua.
On the Craft division, first-time exhibitor Molly Strader of Perrysburg, Ohio took First Place honors with her handformed, sculpted jewelry. She recently moved to Bloomington, where she is working toward a master’s degree in education while also traveling the art fair circuit.
Second Place in Craft went to Trudi and Eric Cooper, new exhibitors from Manchester, Mich. They create fused glass items.
Third Place went to Jerry Rymarquis, a 19-year exhibitor from Taylor Mill, Ky. He makes wooden accessories.
Madison Mayor Al Huntington presented the awards and called this year’s crop of talented exhibitors “one of the best ever.” He was also pleased to see the new Madison boat docks open just a day before the festival opened, allowing boaters to dock overnight for Madison’s largest festival event.