Artist proceeds to exhibit operate at Salt Fork Arts & Crafts Pageant
4 min read
For a lot more than 30 yrs, regional artist Martha Davis Rice has participated in the Salt Fork Arts & Crafts Competition in Cambridge.
It is an once-a-year emphasize for the well-liked painter, even right after suffering a debilitating stroke around seven years ago that remaining her not able to create, stroll, discuss or paint.
Rice spent 3 weeks in the clinic and then 6 weeks in a nursing residence while recuperating and rehabilitating.
“When you have a mind damage, you are not able to come to feel it healing,” explained Rice. “You can feel other accidents therapeutic, but not a mind harm. Instead, some (system) sections get the job done and some you should not do the job.
“I was unable to paint for above a yr. I experienced to understand to walk and discuss once more. But via the superior Lord, he was ready to mend me.”
Two motivating components for Rice were being her partner, Cal, who lately turned 90, and her portray.
“I had to learn to generate once more so I could visit Cal in the medical center,” recalled Rice. “I was in the auto one particular day wondering, ‘how do I do this?’ I took it one step at a time, but I was ready to do it so I could check out him in the medical center and at the nursing home.”
As for the painting, there are still some undesirable times but overall it can help Rice, who has received numerous awards more than the many years for her stunning operate.
“Occasionally you never truly feel like undertaking anything,” she said. “But when I paint, I do experience fantastic about it. It is a inspiration.”
The highway back again to the competition held the second weekend of August was not straightforward for Rice.
Soon after being in and out of therapy though recovering from the stroke, she experienced from seizures and endured neck and gall bladder surgeries, eye troubles and most cancers.
Rice is even now battling a number of conditions, but programs to show up at the competition she believes is one particular of the greatest.
“The persons are so welcoming and they want to support you,” mentioned Rice of the Salt Fork Arts & Crafts Competition organizers. “It has a hometown experience, and I live in town so it is special. It can be like family out there and there are so a lot of great folks. I really like becoming a section of the show.
“It is one particular of the much better exhibits there is out there,” extra Rice.
Shifting to the Cambridge space in 1987, Rice did not exhibit her get the job done appropriate absent at the festival. But, it did not take her prolonged to sign up for the record of exhibitors and award successful artists.
In addition to profitable a lot of ribbons, Rice’s paintings and her vocation have been highlighted in the Ohio Watercolor Society’s magazine and “The Spirit of Art The Splendor of Lifestyle – Artistic Skills in Ohio” by Muskingum University Art Professor Yan Sunshine and his wife, Hong Yin, assistant professor of artwork.
The 127-site book writes about artists and artwork communities of Ohio. Fifteen artists which include Rice are highlighted in the ebook readily available for buy at the Yan Sunlight Artwork Museum & Gallery in Zanesville.
By means of the years, Rice per year exhibited her perform at four exhibits, but the effects of the stroke has restricted her to a person display.
Today, she only exhibits her paintings at the Salt Fork Arts & Crafts Competition.
She praises people involved with the pageant and her neighbor exhibitors for assisting her established up for the competition.
“I can’t do it any a lot more,” stated said. “But, all of the people today there have been so good to me. The persons have gotten to know me and they come uncover me. That is been very good.”
Rice has triumph over a large amount of adversity to come to be one of the longest operating exhibitors at the pageant that is slated for Aug. 13-15 this 12 months and she understands that is the get the job done of her Lord and Savior.
“Hardly ever, hardly ever give up,” mentioned Rice. “God is usually with you, and he will heal you.”
The Salt Fork Arts & Crafts Pageant is a juried pageant that showcases large-excellent artwork in a assortment of mediums such as, painting, pottery, ceramics, fiber art, steel do the job, jewelry, acrylics, combined media, images, and additional.
Around 100 artists come from all in excess of the United States for the three-working day party and space learners are provided the opportunity to display their operate.
Featured gatherings through the 2021 Salt Fork Arts & Crafts Competition contain artwork by juried artists and craftsmen, a current market position tent with Ohio-made products, Appalachian heritage shows, grownup and children craft classes, scholar art tent reveals, People’s Alternative judging and tasty foods and refreshments.
The competition in the Cambridge Metropolis Park is open 12 to 7 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.
The subsequent is a search at this year’s plan of gatherings:
Friday, Aug. 13
- 12 p.m., Competition opens.
- 12 to 12:30 p.m., Buckeye Trail marching band.
- 1 to 1:45 p.m., John Glenn Substantial College String Sounds.
- 2:30 to 4 p.m., Women of Longford.
- 4:30 to 5:15 p.m., The Enjoys.
- 6:30 to 8 p.m., CHS Alumni Jazz Band
Saturday, Aug. 14
- 10 a.m., Pageant opens.
- 10:30 to 11:15 a.m., Chordial Refrain.
- 12 to 1:30 p.m., Kevin Praeter Band.
- 12 to 4 p.m., Craft courses.
- 2:30 to 3:15 p.m., Dance Express.
- 4 to 4:45 p.m., Frozen Jr.
- 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., Muskingum Valley Symphonic Winds.
Sunday, Aug. 15
- 10 a.m., Festival opens.
- 1 to 1:45 p.m., Festival Refrain.
- 2:30 to 3:30 p.m., Cambridge City Band.
The festival is sponsored by the Ohio Arts & Crafts Foundation.
Phone 740-630-8935 or stop by saltforkfestival.org for added information and facts.
