Donna Lexa Memorial Art Fair set for Saturday, Aug. 17th

The annual Donna Lexa Memorial Art Fair will be held Saturday, Aug. 17 along the Glacial Drumlin State Bike Trail in the village of Wales. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and admission is free.

The juried art fair features more than 50 artists exhibiting paintings, sculpture, jewelry, glass, photography, pottery, wearable art and other fine arts and crafts.

New this year will be "sit-able" art created by students at KM Perform charter school. Twelve student artists transformed hand-crafted Adirondack-style chairs into colorful works of art, using painting styles ranging from impressionism to pop art. The students will sell the chairs as a fund raiser for the charter school within the Kettle Moraine High School in Wales.

Donna Lexa Memorial Art Fair events include children's activities, used book sale, silent art auction and an entertainment stage featuring a variety of musical performances. Food and beverages will be available for purchase, including barbecue beef brisket sandwiches, brats and hot dogs.

Following is the musical entertainment schedule:

9 to 11 a.m.                 Stan Markus
10 to 11 a.m.               Big Kenny & 3D
11 a.m. to noon           Robin LeClaire
Noon to 1:30 p.m.       The vaughn Family Band
1:30 to 2:30 p.m.        Jeff Leonard
2:30 to 3:30 p.m.        Company 2
3:30 to 4 p.m.             Erik  Kanter

In addition, the historic Jerusalem Presbyterian Church at 207 Main Street in Wales will hold an open house during the art fair, showcasing its ornate stained glass windows and rich wooden interior. The open house is part of a celebration marking 100 years since the church building was constructed.

The art fair is sponsored by Jerusalem Presbyterian Church in memory of the late Donna Lexa, a church member who helped disabled and elderly people reach their full potential through her work as an art therapist. Lexa inspired the congregation to build a handicapped-accessible addition to the church after she was killed in a car accident.

Proceeds from the art fair benefit local non-profit organizations and also fund an annual fine arts scholarship for a Kettle Moraine High School graduate.

The Donna Lexa Memorial Art Fair will be held rain or shine. To reach the art fair site, take I-94 to highway 83 and go south four miles to Main Street. For more information, call the church at 262-968-3408 or visit www.donnalexamemorialartfair.org.