‘Games’ is Theme for Upcoming Nescatunga Sugar Show; Early Registration Fee Deadline May 10 for Sugar Show, Booth Spaces

Last year’s winners of the Sugar Show awards, with their decorated cakes, are Kasey Chaffin (left) and Katie Perks. Registration for the Sugar Show categories, as well as artist, crafter and author booths, is still being accepted. The Early Registration fee deadline is May 10. Registration will be accepted after this date, but the fees will double in price.

Early registration fees for the June 6-7 Nescatunga Arts Festival and Sugar Show in Alva, Oklahoma, end May 10, so artists, crafters, authors and bakers of all skill levels are encouraged to register soon. Registration will be accepted after this date, but the fees will double in price.

This year’s Sugar Show theme is “Games."

Entry forms and additional information are available at www.nescatunga.org.

The Sugar Show is open to Professionals, Aspiring Sugar Artists, and two new young people categories, ages 13 to 17 and 8 to 12, which have been added to the contest that will take place the morning of June 7 at the Alva Recreation Center.

Sugar artists will create and bring to the contest decorated cakes, cookies and cupcakes in the fourth annual contest.

The decorated cake category is only open to Professionals and Aspiring Sugar Artists. Pros may create either non-edible dummy cakes or edible cakes, but Aspiring Sugar Artists will create edible cakes. All cakes must have at least two tiers.

All four divisions may enter the Cookies and Cupcakes categories. Bakers should prepare ahead of time at least one dozen decorated cookies and/or cupcakes for the contest, but are encouraged to make additional treats to donate to the “Gourmet Food Booth” fundraising effort for the Council.

Professionals will compete against professionals, aspiring artists against aspiring artists, and the two younger divisions against those of their same age brackets.

All divisions will compete head-to-head for a $200 Best of Show prize, sponsored by Kim Baugh, from among all items entered in the show.

Other awards will include a People’s Choice Award, Best in Class (professionals-$150), and Best in Class (aspiring-$100). Best in Class awards will also be presented in the two young people divisions for their overall entries. The Nescatunga Committee welcomes anyone to sponsor any of the Sugar Show awards.

The entry fee for Professionals and Aspiring Artists is $25 per category. Entry fees for the two young people divisions are $10 for each category.

Entry fees will double after the May 10 early registration deadline.

Questions about the Sugar Show should be directed to April Ridgway at (580) 748-4880 or maxandapril@hotmail.com or emailed to NescatungaArts@yahoo.com.

Fine Artist, Crafter and Author Booth Registration

Anyone interested in having a 10x10 fine artist or crafter booth at the festival should also get registered before May 10 to avoid paying a higher registration fee. Students may have one booth for free. Additional 10x10 booth spaces are $25 for each one.

There are eight Fine Arts categories for judging, including

·         Designer Arts & Jewelry (created by artist in glass, wood, mineral, etc.)

·         Digital Art (New Category - Computer-generated artwork)

·         Fiber Arts (Quilting, Weaving, basketry, knitting, crocheting, etc.)

·         Graphics (Pencil, Pen & Ink, Pastels, Printmaking, etc.)

·         Mixed Media

·         Painting (Oils, Acrylics, Watercolors)

·         Photography

·         Pottery / Sculpture (may be ceramic, wood, metal, mineral, etc.)

Fine artists are eligible for one award of cash and ribbons in each category. The awards will include a Best of Show prize for $200; first place $150; second place $100; and third place $75. The festival judges may award any place to an entry based on merit, and if, in the opinion of the judges, none of the entries in a category meet the standards of excellence, no award will be given.

Student artwork will be judged by the overall exhibit for one possible first-place prize of $25.

Craft categories include wood toys/furniture, ceramics/glass, clothing, soft toys, decorative items, jewelry, craft food, repurposed items, home goods/accessories, and others. Craft booths will not be judged.

Artists and crafters should provide their own display setup, tables, chairs, tent, etc.

New this year for the fine artist’s booths OR crafter’s booths will be a “People’s Choice” award based on the votes from the patrons attending this year’s festival. One booth winner will receive a $50 prize, which is being provided by an anonymous donor.

The Nescatunga Arts Festival is sponsored by the Nescatunga Arts and Humanities Council, Inc., in cooperation with the Alva Chamber of Commerce, the City of Alva Tourism Committee, the City of Alva and the Alva Recreational Complex.

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