ELK GROVE, CA (MPG) - A threat of rain didn’t stop Old Town from hosting its fourth annual Festival of the Arts on April 26.

The Elk Grove Festival of the Arts is held annually on the Old Town Plaza for local artists to display their craft. It involves art forms such as painting, ceramics, music, writing and more. 

Heath Buckmaster, a board member for the Elk Grove Fine Arts Center, which presents the event, said Elk Grove officials have been very supportive by providing the space and sponsoring the festival. 

Buckmaster said the festival featured its largest number of vendors in its four-year history. 

“We try to diversify the vendor offerings,” Buckmaster said. “What you will find is not only fine art vendors, but also those who work in craft and decorative work, as well as authors. Another addition is a henna artist.”

Laguna Creek High School junior Ethan Steele displayed his craft in metalwork. Steele said he mentioned his metalworking to his ceramics teacher and was encouraged to take part in the festival. 

Steele said he is currently a part of the Manufacturing Production Technology Academy, which specializes in training students with hands-on mastery in modern-day production and manufacturing, according to the school district’s website. Steele said the program involves woodworking and welding. 

Since before high school, Steele has been interested in knife-making. 

“I just feel happy for the opportunity to show some of the stuff I can make,” Steele said. “I’m not nervous because if I mess up, oh well.”

The weather conditions held up long enough for attendees to come out and see the art on display. Sacramento-based band Be Here Now performed live music at the event. Food trucks were present for attendees to grab something to eat.

Cosumnes River College Photography Professor Kathryn Mayo displayed some her ceramics art, a passion she picked up during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

She said that during the pandemic she bought a kiln to explore other forms of creativity outside of photography. 

Mayo said she makes a variety of functional and decorative ceramic pieces. She said that to do various forms of art, one has to have a creative vision. 

“For me, because I teach photography and do my own photography, sometimes I like to express myself in a different way with my hands,” Mayo said. “It’s a way for me to explore my creativity in a different medium than what I do with my job every day.”