Escape to ArtsCape

The peaceful path around Capaha Lake in Cape Girardeau will be hit by an "explosion of creative energy," during the eighth annual ArtsCape in Capaha Park.

The Arts Council of Southeast Missouri organizes the event every year partly as a fundraiser, but mostly for just plain fun, said Delilah Tayloe, director of the arts council. They usually barely break even, but the opportunity ArtsCape allows is well worth the work, Tayloe said.

"It's really an art in the park event," Tayloe said. "Creative folk who, in their own rights, should have their wares on display to the public."

The sidewalk path through the park will be lined with booths showing different arts and crafts. Artists come from five different states to show pottery, paintings, stained glass and other crafts.

"And there's all kinds of foods that'll be available," Tayloe said.

The arts council already has vendors lined up for the usual fair foods — kettle corn, jams, catfish, fudge.

"That Arndt's fudge is such a big hit," Tayloe said. "Everyone wants their fudge."

Tayloe called ArtsCape "a feast for the senses" with the art to see, the food to smell and taste, the pottery and children's art to hold, "And then hearing, well you've got the music," she said.

Shivelbine's Music Store sets up a stage for the music. Acts range from Louisiana Cajun and blues from Dennis Stroughmatt and Creole Stomp to fiddle playing from the Punches Family and the Link Family, as well as saxophone tones from Saxy Jazz.

For children who want to experiment with music, the petting zoo will be set up under the large pavilion. No goats wander around for petting, but children can beat on bongos, play guitars and even a Chinese gong in the Musical Instrument Petting Zoo.

"There are all kinds of musical instruments so that kids can play with them," Tayloe said. "To see little kids playing with conga drums is really neat."

For the more visual child, dozens of arts and craft stations will be set up in a Kids' Art Pavilion. They can make masks, bubble art or do a space walk.

"We had 900 kids last year," Tayloe said.

The arts council also involved younger artists in a poster contest themed "Fun in the Park." It's already received colored pencil drawings of football games, swimmers and cyclists. For older artists who want to channel their inner child, the Street Painting contest returns this year. For a $10 fee — which garners you a 24 pack of pastels and a T-shirt — participants can block of a section of the pathway and create a "a masterpiece on the sidewalk," Tayloe said.

"It's there until the next rain," she said. "It's ephemeral art."

WANT TO GO?

• What: Eighth annual ArtsCape
• When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday
• Where: Capaha Park