It is well known around the community of Afton that every year a collection of artists and their booths come together in the St. Croix River Valley. This event, the Afton art fair brought families, artists and students together for the weekend to discover and and inspire the artists in this community.

On Sept. 26 and 27 a variety of artists set up booths and interacted with many people from the afton community. Children played on the playground, while musical guests played songs that echoed across the park. Food and art were being sold in every direction. For 37 years, this tradition has brought Afton many talented artists and has created a strong sense of community.

Barry and Valerie (Val) Sutherland are just two of the artists who had a booth at the art fair. They work with a variety of media including wire, stone, glass and semi precious gems. They create exquisite pendants and jewelry that reflects a vintage style.

Val said, “It’s a hobby that we share, we’re both working full time. But this gives us a creative outlet, and an opportunity to work with all different types of media.”

There small pendants are $5 for the stone and $5 for the cord. The stones are all unique and beautifully crafted and the cords come in a variety of colors and lengths. A lot of what the sutherlands bring to the art fair is the fact that no one else had what their products are.

“It’s all natural, you can’t beat mother nature,” Val said.

Val and her husband keep coming back to the same fairs every year and have been fortunate. Val believes that all young artists should do their own thing ,should not copy and follow their vision.

Val Sutherland said, “Afton is a wonderful show to come and visit. People come and visit us no matter what the weather is like, people in Afton come to support the show.”

At another booth, Thomas Epperson showed off his drawings and prints. Epperson worked for three and a half years doing charity work for the veterans fund. He works in a variety of mediums including t-shirts, sculptures, wood carvings and caricatures. His caricatures are respectful and do not degrade his customers.

“I draw a picture in five minutes or less that is not going to give you the buck teeth or flaring nostrils or all those things, I save things like that for my friends my enemies and my frenemies.”

Eppersons detailed line drawings start out with a list of ideas. Then he goes to the public and asks his customers what they want. If three or more people ask for the same thing he makes it. The subjects stretch from animals to pop culture to everything in between.

Epperson said, “Art is subjective it is the only free expression you should freely share.”

Aspiring artists should start as soon as possible, taking in the world of inspirations around them. Epperson was clear that anyone can be an artist with practice, hardwork and dedication.

“You inspire yourself,” said Epperson

Heather Fredli works with natural work, making original oil paintings with a Native American and Mexican style.

“This was my first art fair, so it holds a special place in my heart,” Fredli said.

Her advice to young artists is to get excited about art and to keep working out their own creativity. Art is a unique part of any artist and it is import that young artists are inspired and find their own style.

Fredli said, “I believe it was Yoda who said do or do not there is no try.” She then went on to quote the Rocky Horror Picture Show: “Don’t dream it, be it.”