Chariton Leader 1998
From the September 15, 1998 Chariton Leader:
"This year the Lucas County Arts and Craft Festival is going International. Along with the usual exhibits of work by area artists and craftspeople, a noon meal and afternoon entertainment, the Simon Estes South African Youth Choris will perform.
"We think we will attract a lot of people to the festival, said arts council board member Dorotha Many.
"The choral group is made up of 40 high school students from Cape Town, South Africa, and is visiting Iowa to live with host families, attend high school and perform at various venues such as the arts festival. Known as the Simon Estes South African Youth Chorus Project, the undertaking is the culmination of the dream of Iowa-born vocalist Simon Estes. The project is sponsored by Rotary International District 6000 and underwritten by members of the 60 Iowa Rotary clubs which make up the district, along with donations from corporations, foundations and contributors from the private sector.
"Estes first heard the chorus perform while he was visiting their high school in the Cape Town area. He was impressed by their talent but dismayed by their school, a facility with 4,000 students and only 60 teachers. He founded the Simon Estes School in 1997, a private school with an enrollment of 150 black South African students, including members of the chorus.
"The complete chorus consists of 85 members, 40 of whom were chosen for the trip to Iowa. Nolufefe Mtshabe, who formed the group several years ago, directs the students. The chorus has won a number of competitions and has performed for such dignitaries as South African President Nelson and President Bill Clinton during his trip to South Africa.
" 'This project will greatly advance the education of the South African youngsters and expand their realization of their musical talents and intellectual potential, Estes said. 'It will also deepen the understanding of predominatly while Iowans of these and other black South Africans and enhance the awareness of their needs, interests and culture.'
"Along with the Simon Estes South African Youth Chorus performance, the Lucas County Arts and Crafts Festival will allow area artists and craftspeople to display their work.
"This year we're featuring the Dipsy Dubblers, a group of seven members who meet every Monday at the St. Andrew's Episcopal Church to paint most of the day,' Many said. 'They work in oil, water colors, acrylics, pencil, and pen and ink. They've been meeting for about two-and-a-half years now.'
"Members of the group include Anna Suchy, Jane Kendrick, David West, Sue Mitzner, Kathy Willett, Kathy Donner and Hope Gildroy.
"Many said she expects approximately 35 exhibitors with work ranging from watercolors and stained glass to leatherwork and rubberstamp art.
"Besides the exhibitors we'll also have students' art display in the community center.' Many said. 'We'll also have the 'Art Alley'. People brought in works they had in their homes and they thought was art to display. We had more than 100. And we always have entertainment.'
"Along with the youth chorus the festival will also have big band music.
"In the afternoon we have the Kono group.' Many said. 'It's just wonderful music. And it's all free to the public.'
"The festival is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with the Konos performing from 2 to 4 p.m. and the youth chorus performing that evening. A noon meal will be available from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
"The Lucas Ladies are going to feed us at noon, 'Many said. 'They'll be serving sandwiches, salads, and of course their pies.'
"This is the sixth year for the Lucas County Arts and Crafts Festival, which began as a way for people in Lucas County to display their art and craftworks. Over the years exhibitors were allowed to sell their work and the festival has grown.
" 'We've just kind of built on it,' Many said. We've branched out and now other people from other communities come. It all began because we wanted to support art in our community and in order to do that we invited people from other communities.' "