Nature Art Fest to return for 25th year

WADSWORTH — More than two dozen artists from Northeast Ohio will showcase nature-inspired artwork and handmade items during the 25th annual Nature Art Fest Saturday and Sunday at Oenslager Nature Center. The annual event features artwork inspired by nature or made from natural materials. Offerings this year will include paintings, photography, stained glass, metalwork, jewelry, sculpture and pottery, along with naturally dyed silk items, soaps and wood-burned signs. The festival is a juried show, with artists applying to participate. Previous Gazette coverage highlighted the variety of work and the artists who return year after year. Henry Edinger, who was featured in the Gazette's coverage of the event last year, is among this year's participating artists. Edinger has been a longtime participant, showcasing acrylic paintings of birds and nature scenes on slate, petrified wood and slices of trees. The festival also gives visitors an opportunity to browse work from regional artists ahead of the holiday shopping season. During last year's event, Medina County Park District Interpretive Services Manager Shelley Tender described the festival as a way for artists to showcase and sell their work, with many visitors using the event to get an early start on holiday shopping. Nature Art Fest will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is free, and the event is open to all ages. Registration is not required. For more information those interested can visit medinacountyparks.com.