By JOHN BENSON

Special to The Gazette

When the Art in the Park event was started in 1973, the idea was to show off the artistic talents of Medina County folk.

Still going strong today, the free 35th Annual 2008 Art in the Park event takes place from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 20 in the Medina Public Square.

“I’ve been in it every year, and I started out working on some of the committees,” said Medina-based painter Henry Edinger, who will once again be showing his wares at the upcoming event. “It was a chance for members of the (Medina) Art League to show. Also, at that time, outdoor shows were becoming very popular. So I think everybody who was working with the shows wanted to have one in Medina.”

He added, “It’s a great show for me because it gives me a chance to show with a lot of good artists.”

Added Art in the Park Co-Chairman Denise Marabito, “It’s lasted so long because it’s well-organized, and we bring in artists from all over the country. We have a good mix of mediums. Anything from a watercolor to jewelry, pottery, wood carvings and more. And the setting in the square is just beautiful with the big huge trees. It’s just a wonderful event.”

Estimates by the Medina Police Department put the attendance of the Art in the Park event in the 15,000 range. Considering the large turnout, it would appear as though the Art in the Park festival could grow. While there has been talk of making it a two-day affair, Marabito said nothing is imminent and space is limited. “There isn’t any more space for more artists,” Marabito said. “We’ve tried putting them on the outside perimeter of the square facing the stores, but some of the artists complained that people didn’t realize they could walk there, and it kind of takes away from the intimacy.”

Marabito said one of the reasons it is so well attended is the fact it’s a fine arts juried show, which means each of the 130 vendors have been scrutinized and judged for both talent and presentation.

“We start planning this the day after the art show ends,” Marabito said. “Applications go out in January to artists and to anyone who inquires on our Web site or gives us a call. The jury takes place in March and the jury is really like the judging of the artwork. The jury is comprised of artists, Medina County Art League Members and Medina County Art League committee members.

“There are usually six to eight jurors and each applicant is judged based on what they submit as far as their slide of their artwork, their medium, as well as their booth space. So we can get an idea of whether their medium might be beautiful, but also if their booths looks terrible and either they don’t have any merchandise or it just doesn’t look good, that may be a determining factor if we invite them or not.”

Something else that Marabito said adds traffic to the Medina event is its timing, which is scheduled right around the three-day art show in Willoughby Hills. She said some vendors time their trips from outside Medina County or even the state of Ohio around both juried exhibits.

“We have quality artists and exhibitors, and it’s just a beautiful setting,” Marabito said. “And while you are here, there are other things you can do such as have lunch on the square, shop in some of the boutiques on the square and just enjoy a beautiful and nice day.”

For more information, visit www.medinaartleague.com.

Benson may be reached at ididhear@aol.com.