Looking for a fun, free event the entire family can enjoy?  Experience art work from area artists at the Dogwood Fine Arts Festival Up Front Art Walk.

Twenty-one works from artists across southwest Michigan and northern Indiana will be on display 24/7, from May 8-17.

Original creations in oil, watercolor, acrylic, mixed medium, photography and others will be on display in downtown Dowagiac merchant windows.  The Festival will award cash prizes to artists in three categories:  “Best of Show,” “First Runner Up” as judged by professional guest judges, and “People’s Choice” as voted by the viewing public. This year’s “Best of Show” winner will also receive a gallery art show in the Festival Gallery later in the year.

This year’s artists include: Tom Tackett, Marsha Penn, Rebecca Kellogg, Butch Welch, Angela Rice, Jessica Pike, Jack Dreyer, Alli Farkas, Sioux McLane, Dan Smith, Christopher Matejovsky, Ashley Fries, Jeff Matejovsky, Jeff Heaton, Robert R. Williams, and Bonnie Rock.

These artists will be hosted by area merchants:  Amersdorfer-Wiltse Insurance, Booth’s Country Florist, Olympia Books, Refine Women’s Consignment, Farm Bureau Insurance, Kirsch Insurance, Front Street Crossing, 1st Source Bank, Underwood Shoes, Imperial Furniture, Beeson Street Grill, WHO kNEW? Consignment, Scissor Mill, Vincent J. Jewelers, Rosy Tomorrows, Mane Attraction, Caruso’s Candy Kitchen, Shabby Bou-Chic, The Marshall Shoppe, and Kim MacGregor’s office at Edward Jones.

Ballots are available at any of the participating businesses as well as at the Dogwood Fine Arts Festival office in the Huntington Bank Building. Most works will be available for purchase from this juried show. Stroll the downtown streets and enjoy the show at your leisure.

Starks Family Funeral Homes & Cremation Services and Clark Chapel continue their commitment to the arts in southwest Michigan as sponsor of this event. The Dogwood Fine Arts Festival is made possible through generous sponsorship by the St. Denys Foundation.  This event is free and open to the public.

For more information, about this and other Dogwood Festival events call (269) 782-1115, (866) 490-2847 or visit www.dogwoodfinearts.org.