Join us for the 19th Annual Driftless Area Art Festival and experience the beauty and artistry of the Driftless Area.

No matter what direction you are coming from, you’ll enjoy a scenic, meandering journey through wooded hills and deep valleys.

The Driftless Area, a unique region that escaped the glaciers of the Ice Age, is an inspirational setting to all manner of talented artists. Its hills and valleys are home to painters and potters, woodworkers and weavers, metal smiths and musicians, vintners and brewmasters.

To see, hear and taste the exceptional variety of their creations, you usually have to visit studios and stores, cafes and concerts. But once a year, on the third weekend in September, these artists gather together in Crawford County, Wisconsin, at the Driftless Area Art Festival.

Enjoy a drive with exceptional scenery. Spend a few hours strolling through the exhibits. Taste some local fare and sip some local wines. Listen to some great music. Take home some fine art and fine memories.

Visual Arts
Please support our local artists any way you can!

Performing Arts
Saturday
Camela Widad
10 am to noon
A mainstay Americana Folk troubadour, Camela Widad is a little bit saintly and a little bit rock and roll. Often compared to Brandi Carlile, Patsy Cline, or Sheryl Crow, there is no doubt that the music world needs to pay attention to her compelling artistry.
Growing up in the Midwest state of Wisconsin in the world of country and blues tinged with a hint of rock, the rich underbelly of American culture courses through her veins.
Camela has appeared on stage alongside Chuck Prophet, Della May, David Lindley and iconic band America at venues and events such as The Birchmere Music Hall, Club Passim, Live on The Folk Show on WXPN, The Tin Angel and a 2015 Emerging Artist at the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival.

Patchouli
12:30 to 2:30 pm
Patchouli has been a mainstay of the Driftless Area Art Festival for more than a decade. Their sound, depth and virtuosity are described as “Simon and Garfunkel meets the Gipsy Kings” and City Pages compares it like “taking a yoga class in a field of running mustangs”. With 22 CDs, 5,000 shows played in US, Europe & Asia, Patchouli & Terra Guitarra embody the spirit of the 60's & 70's and the Romance of the Spanish guitar, with their world class music that uplifts & gives hope in a show that “inspires the Human Spirit” - Chicago Tribune.
The duo is excited to return to the Driftless Area Art Festival for their 11th performance on the festival stage with a new album "Nothing But Heart" released mid-pandemic that features songs and videos highlighting the Driftless area.

The Guthries Trio
3 to 5 pm
The Guthries Trio have their roots down deep in the Driftless! Scott and Ericka Guthrie make their home here in the Kickapoo Valley, and percussionist Eddie O'Connor hails from the southern end of the Driftless in Galena, Illinois. As singer/songwriters, they create music peppered with the influences of rock, folk, country, and blues. They are multi-instrumental, playing acoustic and electric guitars, bass guitar, mandolin, banjo, and percussion. Influenced by artists such as John Prine, Iris Dement, Gillian Welch, Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Steve Earle, Jim Croce, and so many more, you will hear a variety of covers, sprinkled with original tunes in between. From Acoustic Folk to Electric Blues, they cover the full range of modern and classic Americana music!

Sunday
Kickapoo Joy Juice
10 am to 1 pm
The musicians of Kickapoo Joy Juice all share a love of music from a previous era. Their music is infectiously fun and will get your toes tapping and your dance feet moving to lively polkas, rags, beautiful waltzes and songs. The band members include Jesse Downs on fiddle, Liz Voz on guitar, David Gibbs on clarinet and Jane Keeley on standup bass. Matt Shortridge and Kevin Dohse will be standing in for Liz and Jesse this year as they will be out of town. You will love the band's new take on old time as well as contemporary music. The group's fine fiddling, ear candy clarinet, solid rhythms and harmonious vocals will delight you. Kickapoo Joy Juice, you know what it will do!?

Dakota Bedward
1:30 to 2 pm
Dakota Bedward is a singer/songwriter from the valleys of Boscobel, Wisconsin that specializes in a mixture of classic country, playing songs by the likes of Garth Brooks and Alan Jackson, while also mixing in some modern traditional country with songs by artists such as Zach Bryan and Tyler Childers. Although none of his family members were involved in music, Dakota discovered his love for music by playing percussion in his high school band. He played the drum set before eventually teaching himself to play his grandfather’s guitar while also taking vocal lessons to pursue his dream of becoming a performer. Since then, he has gained experience playing in front of large crowds, whether it be singing and playing guitar at open mic sessions, performing at the Rock N Roll Reunion in Woodman, drumming at the Stump Dodger Festival in Gays Mills, or performing in 5 countries in Europe with the Wisconsin Ambassadors of Music, he is ready to put on a show!

Kids Art Award Ceremony
2 to 2:15 p.m.

Marques Morel
2:15 to 4 pm?
Marques Morel is a Midwestern American songwriter/folksinger, guitar-strummer/harmonica wailer, street-performer/wandering troubadour, with roots running deep in the music of old America. Morel's sound is thick with the nostalgic elements of vintage country, delta blues, dust bowl folk, and the Texas Troubadour tradition.

Culinary Arts
Apple'licious Pie Depot - Pies, ice cream, apple donuts, turnovers, apple pizza
Crepes jeanluc - Dessert crepes (chocolate, lemon, caramel, fruits), savory crepes  (mushroom, ham, cheese, spinach)
Dave's Pizza - Pizza, breadsticks, cheesy breadsticks, calzones, cinnamon toast sticks, beverages
Five Star Eggroll - Eggrolls, fried rice, sesame chicken, Lo Mein noodles, crab wonton, Fruity Bubble Tea (strawberry, coconut, mango, taro, honeydew vanilla)
 Ice Cream on 14 - Ice cream cones and in a dish, NEW in 2023!
Julie's Catering - Pulled pork, Italian beef sandwich, Italian sausage, loaded nachos, chicken salad wraps, coleslaw, baked beans, beverages
Soliders Grove Lion's Club - Beer and wine
Udder Brothers Creamery - Ice cream, frozen yogurt, beef jerky, beef snack sticks, fried and fresh cheese curds  NEW in 2023!
Vera's Snack Shack - Mega-loaded nachos, chix nuggets, fresh cut fries, shrimp, cheese curds, lemonade

Date: Sept. 16 and 17, 2023.

Time:
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.

Location:
Beauford T Anderson Park,
101 Church St, Soldiers Grove, WI 54655

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