Fire is a tool as old as man; a tool that enchants, guides, and bewilders; a tool with no bounds. Experience the Midwest Fire Fest–an enchanting experience celebrating fire and its boundless role in creating beautiful artwork. Read on to discover everything you need to know about Midwest Fire Fest. Learn from the local artists, gain creative experiences, and see the showstopper. It’s all here and blazing with creativity at Midwest Fire Fest, June 8-9, 2024!
Local Artists
Ever heard about Midwest Fire Fest? Learn from the local artists, who never fail to miss the annual event. Founded on two pillars, creativity and community, the Midwest Fire Fest draws in local artists and the surrounding community alike, with its boundless and blazing creativity.
Nestled in the charming community of Cambridge, local artists including Mark Skudlarek, Sam Laturi, Jeff Amundson, Kate Marotz, and Joe Frank McKee, each bring their own flare and want to teach you the power that comes from creating.
As you walk from booth to booth, uncover the lessons from each artist:
Mark Skudlarek, with Cambridge Wood-Fired Pottery, showcases his craft of pottery, firing various vases and creations on site. While he highlights his artistry, Mark has high hopes to inspire roaming visitors to create their own art.
Sam Laturi, with StormCloak Forge, not only walks through his trick of the trade but also encourages visitors to start creating from the heart. In today’s world, there are fewer and fewer opportunities to outpour your creativity… so pour it into a fierce and fiery creation!
Jeff Amundson, with Upper Midwest Blacksmith Association, sets up an impressive display, and strives to teach an important lesson–to finish something you start.
Newcomer Kate Marotz, with Kate Marotz Ceramics, is a prime example of creating from the heart, recently joining the event to showcase her fiery flow of creativity. For Kate, she has found that having a creative outlet makes you appreciate the quieter moments in life.
Joe Frank McKee, of McKee’s Pottery, has a similar passion for inspiring through demonstrations. Creating his own fire form of art, Raku Pottery, Joe Frank aims to capture the attention and kindle the love for art in the hearts of each and every visitor who passes by.
Creative Experiences
Midwest Fire Fest is an opportunity for you to unlock a newfound sense of creativity through fire! While learning, especially from these artists, is a path to power, a little experience can go a long way. At Midwest Fire Fest, several artists offer creative, hands-on experiences so you can get a taste of the blazing, boundless joy found in creating.
Stop by the Upper Midwest Blacksmith Association booth and start your very first fire masterpiece. The beauty of art is a piece can be perfect, no matter what shape or form. The beauty comes from the originality and effort put forth.
While artists in the booth, like Jeff Amundson, hold the steel in the flaming fire, you are given a hammer to begin shaping the steel into a creative form of your own. Together, you make something authentic and beautiful.
From experiences like these and awe-inspiring demonstrations, you begin to access an all-new outlet–a creative outlet–where you can create your own pieces, big or small.
The Showstopper
While Midwest Fire Fest burns bright with local artists and creative experiences, the star of the show is a grand sculpture; it’s the true hallmark of Fire Fest.
In 2023, the sculpture consisted of 1,000 pounds of clay and was built over three days. Standing about 7 feet tall, and fired for several consecutive days, the sculpture is undoubtedly the showstopper.
Ultimately, pottery would be nothing without fire. Each year, the sculpture is different. What will this year’s show-stopping sculpture be? Mark your calendar for June 8-9th and see the fiery creation firsthand.
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This year, experience the annual and awe-inspiring Midwest Fire Fest–an experience like no other. From meeting and learning lessons from the local artists and gaining creative experiences to seeing the showstopper, Midwest Fire Fest is a MUST!
Discover this vibrant and blazing festival by watching Discover Wisconsin’s original short, ‘Jefferson County’s Midwest Fire Fest’ now:
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