This past weekend, April 24th-25th, was Celebrate Clayton 2010.

The weather was a mixed event. Saturday morning started cloudy but dry. That changed around 2:00 PM with intermittent showers and some lighting in the distance and then just plain rain. Around 4:00 it was time to break camp for the day and take shelter.

After a rainy night, Sunday dawned semi cloudy and windy but otherwise the temperature was nice and the air was clean and crispy. That brought out a lot of people who enjoyed the different arts and crafts on display. There was also good music and good food to taste.

In the awards department, our current and previous guild members did very well. Laura McCue, our previous newsletter editor, won the Artwork (drawings, paintings & mixed media) award, Alan Zarter won the Photography (originals & limited reproductions) award and Randy Sells won the Fiber (baskets, wreaths & gourds) award.

Congratulations to the three of them!

Also nice was the camaraderie between the artists, ready to give a hand by helping the newcomers and running to assist each other when the strong gusts threatened to fly a tent away. In many cases, by the time the show closed, people who had met for the first time ended up feeling like they have known each other much longer.

A good experience and the promise of more and better for next year.

Wet Saturday afternoon, with all the tents battened down	On Sunday, locals and tourists strolling around the festival
NGAG booth: Richard Albertelli	NGAG booth: June Landreth
Laura McCue, happy with her award	Alan Zarter talking to potential buyers
Patti and Randy Sells' booth	Janie Owens' paintings and Deborah Weinett's carvings
Kathy Hamdy-Swink showing her photo calendar	Deb Towers and Gene Pease shared a booth
Terry Guthrie displaying his nature photographs	Celia Durand's booth