Join us for the 18th Annual Driftless Area Art Festival and experience the beauty and artistry ?of the Driftless Area.

No matter what direction you are coming from, you’ll enjoy a scenic, meandering journey through wooded hills and deep valleys.

The Driftless Area, a unique region that escaped the glaciers of the Ice Age, is an inspirational setting to all manner of talented artists. Its hills and valleys are home to painters and potters, woodworkers and weavers, metal smiths and musicians, vintners and brewmasters.

To see, hear and taste the exceptional variety of their creations, you usually have to visit studios and stores, cafes and concerts. But once a year, on the third weekend in September, these artists gather together in Crawford County, Wisconsin, at the Driftless Area Art Festival.

Enjoy a drive with exceptional scenery. Spend a few hours strolling through the exhibits. Taste some local fare and sip some local wines. Listen to some great music. Take home some fine art and fine memories.

Performance Schedule:

September 17, 2022:

10:00 a.m - Noon: Sophia Landis

Sophia Landis is a lifelong singer and songwriter. Her lyrics are rooted in compassion and grit, backed by polished piano and powerhouse vocals. Her blend of ballads and blues will soothe and invigorate your soul.

12:30 - 2:30 p.m: Patchouli

Their sound, depth and virtuosity is described as “Simon and Garfunkel meets the Gipsy Kings” and City Pages compares it like “taking a yoga class in a field of running mustangs”. With 22 CDs, 5,000 shows played in US, Europe & Asia Patchouli & Terra Guitarra embody the spirit of the 60's & 70's and the Romance of the Spanish guitar, with their world class music that uplifts & gives hope in a show that “inspires the Human Spirit” - Chicago Tribune.

The duo is excited to return to the Driftless Area Art Fair for their 11th performance on the festival stage with a new album "Nothing But Heart" released mid-pandemic that features songs and videos highlighting the Driftless area.

3:00 - 5:00 p.m: Acoustic D.O.G.S.

The Acoustic D.O.G.S. hails from the heart of the Driftless and features veteran performing songwriter Scott Kerry Guthrie and multi-instrumentalist Dominic Orrico. Their combined experience gives them an insider's knowledge of what makes a song reach into the hearts of the audience.

Be prepared to dance, laugh, and feel all the feels as they play their way through originals and covers with roots in blues, Americana, folk, county, and rock n roll. Eddie O'Connor joins on percussion to round out this trio.

September 18, 2022:

10:00 a.m - 1:00 p.m: Kickapoo Joy Juice

In 2017 four local musicians got together with the intent of starting a new band. These musicians all shared a love of music from another time and were also devoted to preserving the legacy of Ethel Lerum. Their music is infectiously fun, toe tapping and danceable with lively polkas, beautiful waltzes, novelty songs, rags and reels.

The members of Kickapoo Joy Juice include Jesse Downs on fiddle and accordion and Liz Voz on guitar. Liz and Jesse have been in the area for over ten years, farming, playing music together and calling square dances. David Gibbs plays the clarinet. A Gays Mills native, David has returned to the area after two decades in San Francisco performing and teaching music. Jane Keeley, a familiar face in the Driftless music scene, plays the stand-up bass. You will love the band’s new take on old-time.

1:30 - 4:00 p.m: Lou Shields

Lou Shields continues the tradition of American music with a solo-performance that pulls in styles of days-gone-by. Using his 1931 National Resonator Guitar or Banjo accompanied by a unique front porch style of foot percussion and harmonica, he uses his voice as an extension of the past. Lou carries a full sound during live performances while sharing stories, thoughts and experiences with the audience. He has toured throughout the United States and Europe for over 15 years and has released 8 full-length albums and 13 EP’s.

Lou grew up in Chicago, living downtown or in the South Suburbs his entire life. While downtown he owned an art gallery in Pilsen at 18th and Halsted. Lou often creates his art from experiences on the road. He will take a picture of an old home in Mississippi and then draw it later or he takes inspiration from people and scenes in his wife’s early 20th century photo collection. He exhibits his art in Gallery shows or sells prints out of his merch box or at his wife’s vintage clothing store — Driftless Artifacts in Viroqua WI.

2:00 - 2:15 p.m: Kids Art Award Ceremony

Dates and Times:

September 17, 2022: 10:00 a.m - 5:00 p.m.
September 18, 2022: 10:00 a.m - 4:00 p.m.

Location:

Beauford T. Anderson Park,
101 Church Street,
Soldiers Grove, WI 54655.

Click here for more information.