May 05, 2025
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Geneva Arts Fair marks 20th year this weekend

More than 80 artists will exhibit their work on Third Street

By Brenda Schory
Fused glass art created by Georgia artist Lisa Mote involves layering glass and using multiple kiln firings to melt them together. Mote is among some 80 artists whose work will be displayed during the 20th Geneva Arts Fair July 23-24 on Third Street.

Fused glass art created by Georgia artist Lisa Mote involves layering glass and using multiple kiln firings to melt them together. Mote is among some 80 artists whose work will be displayed during the 20th Geneva Arts Fair July 23-24 on Third Street. (Photo provided by Lisa Mote)

GENEVA – The Geneva Arts Fair will mark its 20th year this weekend, featuring more than 80 artists whose works encompass mixed media, glass, ceramic, wood, painting, printing, fiber, jewelry and photography.

Third Street will be closed to traffic during the show, which will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Glass fusion artist Lisa Mote, of Newborn, Georgia, said this is her fourth or fifth time coming to Geneva for the show.

“I’ve lost count,” Mote said. “It’s a really good area, a really nice show with good quality work. And it is just always real pleasant to do. The patrons are always very receptive.”

Mote creates her fused glass pieces by cutting and building the design inside a kiln, then firing it to melt it all together.

“There are multiple firings … building layers of colors, textures and contours in the glass,” Mote said. “I work large, so I have very large kilns to make very large wall-mountable sculptures.”

Fused glass art created by Georgia artist Lisa Cote involves layering glass and using multiple kiln firings to melt them together. Cote is among some 80 artists whose work will be displayed during the 20th Geneva Arts Fair July 23-24 on Third Street.

Fused glass art created by Georgia artist Lisa Mote involves layering glass and using multiple kiln firings to melt them together. Cote is among some 80 artists whose work will be displayed during the 20th Geneva Arts Fair July 23-24 on Third Street. (Photo provided by Lisa Cote)

Ceramic artist partners Glenn Woods and Keith Herbrand of Palm Harbor, Florida, collaborate to create both functional and nonfunctional decorative pieces.

Woods and Herbrand have also been returning artists for the Geneva Arts Fair.

Florida ceramic artists Glenn Woods and Keith Herbrand collaborate to create pieces with a crystalline glaze. They are among some 80 artists to show their work during the 20th Geneva Arts Fair July 23-24 on Third Street.

Florida ceramic artists Glenn Woods and Keith Herbrand collaborate to create pieces with a crystalline glaze. They are among some 80 artists to show their work during the 20th Geneva Arts Fair July 23-24 on Third Street. (Photo provided by Keith Herbrand)

“What sets our work apart from other ceramic work is that we specialize in a glaze called crystalline glaze,” Woods said. “It’s the perfect blend of science and art. And a lot of science is in not only the glaze formulation, but also in the firing process that encourages crystalline growth in the glaze layer.”

Textures and shapes form in the glaze and then grow in the glaze during a controlled cooling cycle.

Florida ceramic artists Glenn Woods and Keith Herbrand collaborate to create pieces with a crystalline glaze. They are among some 80 artists to show their work during the 20th Geneva Arts Fair July 23-24 on Third Street.

Florida ceramic artists Glenn Woods and Keith Herbrand collaborate to create pieces with a crystalline glaze. They are among some 80 artists to show their work during the 20th Geneva Arts Fair July 23-24 on Third Street. (Photo provided by Glenn Woods)

“It’s kind of like painting in the dark. We’re encouraging the crystals to grow a certain type and texture, but we do not see it until we take it out,” Woods said. “It’s like Christmas every time we open up the kiln. Is it a shiny new bike or socks and underwear.”

Geneva Chamber of Commerce, which sponsors the Arts Fair, has a full list of artists and where on Third Street they will be located, available online at www.genevachamber.com.

“Last year, the Geneva Arts Fair returned after a brief hiatus,” chamber spokeswoman Laura Rush stated in a news release. “We are thrilled that many of these artists and more are back for the Geneva Arts Fair 20th year.”

Children will be welcome to participate in creative projects from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. both days at the corner of Franklin and Third streets.

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