4th annual Warkworth Art in the Park a huge success

WARKWORTH -- In an interview with the

Warkworth Journal three weeks ago, Ruth
Wojtuk, the chair of the Warkworth Art in
the Park organizing commitee, promised
big things for this years event.
It will be our largest and most excitng
one yet, Mrs. Wojtuk told our Community
Afairs reporter Brenda Partridge. Were
very excited.
Well, Ruth, and the rest of the hard-
working commitee members, certainly
delivered on that promise.
Thanks to some wonderful spring weather
and the help of over 100 volunteers, the 4th
annual Warkworth Art In The Park was a
tremendous success.
Atendance was up signifcantly from a
year ago, as hundreds of art and music
enthusiasts from all over southern Ontario
focked to our village on Victoria Day holi-
day weekend for the annual two-day fest-
val.
There was something for everyone, as music and art flled the
Mill Creek Park, while several other actvites took place on a very
busy Main St.
Its a wonderful family event, said Campbellfords Carol Dunk,
who was there with grandchildren Ruby, Claudia and Jed Dunk.
We look forward to coming here every year.
Art in the Park has quickly established a reputaton as a frst-
class event and a destnaton for artsts to go to showcase and
sell fne art, photography, jewellery, wood carving and fbre arts.
This year, there was a record number of artsts (31) taking part
in the festval, which is sponsored by the Warkworth Business
Associaton.
Among the artsts making their debut at Art in the Park was
renowned hand painter Robert Bennet, who has exhibited photos
of his brilliantly unique work at several premier art shows
throughout North America.
Hand art is becoming extremely popular, thanks to artsts such
as Mr. Bennet, who uses body paint and his extraordinary imagi-
natve skills to create amazing bird paintngs, where the human
hand serves as his canvass.
Mr. Bennet exhibited his work last Saturday evening at a
packed Warkworth Town Hall Centre for the Arts. The 44-year-old
Orillia artst delighted the audience by selectng three volunteers
to have their hands painted. Sara Shakura, Natalie Anderson and
Tina Spooner -- all from Warkworth -- watched in awe as they had
one of their hands magically transformed into a life-like image of
an eagle, swan and tycoon, respectvely.
Oh my god this is so amazing! an excited Mrs. Shakura told
The Journal, as she proudly showed us her lef hand. Its incredi-
ble, it looks so real. I dont know if Im ever going to wash this
hand again!
On Sunday, Peter Vorkman, a local artst from Castleton, ap-
peared at the Town Hall to showcase his excellent cat illustratons.
He also took the tme to give an appreciatve crowd a quick dem-
onstraton on how to draw cats the easy way.
Among the many attractions for art enthusiasts at this years Warkworth Art in the Park event
was the amazing hand art painting exhibit (top) by renowned bird artist Robert Bennett, which
took place last Saturday evening in the Warkworth Town Hall Centre for the Arts. The following
day, local artist Peter Vorkman delighted art and cat lovers alike with a How To Draw Cats The
Easy Way demonstration. (Photos courtesy of Mary Weilandt )
Hundreds of art and music enthusiasts converge on village for popular two-day festival
Sara Shakuras hand Natalie Andersons hand Tina Spooners hand
EAGLE SWAN TYCOON