BY KAREN BOSSICK

A hundred Idaho artists will set up shop on the grassy aisles of Sun Valley’s Champions Meadow this weekend during the 28th Ketchum Arts Festival.

Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, July 10 and 11, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, July 12.

The festival is an attraction for locals and out-of-town visitors, including those attending the Allen & Company conference in nearby Sun Valley Resort.

Karen Young of Caldwell will be back with her distinctive handbags and accessories.

This year’s artists include Ronald Fehr, who makes framed butterflies and other insects for home décor; Dan Levy whose own pop drawings, paintings and clothing designs are accompanied by his children’s art; Kathy Lieggi with her repurposed vintage silver; Wendy Vaughn with her pipe lamps and suncatchers; Jacquie Daly with her geometric landscape art; Natalie Smith with a new line of Western paintings joining her abstracts and Marie Stewart with her painted art to wear or hang.

“We’ve grown considerably since the early years when the Ketchum Arts Festival was a small event held in downtown Ketchum,” said jeweler Lisa Horton. “Artist selection focuses on Blaine County talent, with some other Idaho artists invited to spice things up. You’ll find your local favorites plus new guests and emerging artists each year.”

A Kids’ Activity Tent open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. will offer painting, bubbles, bracelet string and other crafts. Children ages 4 and up can be checked in and left as long as the adult has a cell phone and remains on Festival grounds.

Maui Wowi Hawaiian coffees and smoothies and South Valley Pizzeria will be on site, and Transylvanian Kurtos will have Hungarian chimney cakes for sale.

Dru Shoemaker has created a line of fish bowls out of fused glass, the bubbles mimicking bubbles in the water.

There is no parking along Sun Valley Road, but the free Blue Route bus running between Ketchum and Sun Valley stops at Bitterroot and Sun Valley Road. Customers may park at Our Lady of Snows Catholic Church when the lot is not blocked off for church events.

The festival grounds is an easy stroll on the bike path from Ketchum or Sun Valley. Well-cultured dogs who enjoy good art and are on a leash are welcome.

DID YOU KNOW?

Ketchum Arts Festival is acting as a liaison between artists who need help setting up and Wood River High School students who want to make money this summer.

Deanna Schrell has long been a participant in the Ketchum Arts Festival.

“This is a win for everyone and another step forward in our service to the community,” said Lisa Horton.

Lolo Larissa DeHaas is back with her pointillist pictures of Idaho mountains.