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MONfest is back with more than 80 artists, a free vintage shuttle and a special-edition wine.
The second annual Middle of NOWhere Rural Art & Music Festival (MONfest) brings together artists of diverse mediums and backgrounds for an uplifting day of art, music, food and drink in a beautiful rural setting.
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Organized by artist Siriaco “Siricasso” Garcia, of Huxley, the free MONfest runs from 1 to 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 12, at The Cellar Winery, located at 2183 320th St., Madrid.
Guests enjoy art, food and music at the first annual Middle of NOWhere Rural Art & Music Festival in 2024 at The Cellar Winery near Slater.
DeDee Birdsall takes inspiration from nature, animals
For DeDee Birdsall, a rural Slater native, her first appearance at MONfest is a step toward a larger goal.
“While I typically sell my work locally through word-of mouth, commissions and community events, I am eager to challenge myself and grow as an artist,” Birdsall wrote in an email. “Being accepted to participate in this event is my first step towards achieving that goal.”
Birdsall refers to her process of using acrylic paint as “crafting colorful magic right in the heart of Iowa,” where she works from her cozy home studio.
Artist DeDee Birdsall will be one of the artists featured at the second annual Middle of NOWhere Rural Art & Music Festival
Her inspirations stem from animals, nature and “all things creative.” Birdsall is also known for her window paintings and murals.
“My art is like a love letter to creativity itself, featuring everything from adorable pet portraits to stunning landscapes, and even charming storefront windows,” she said.
Crooked Street Studios began with a love story
Paula and Randy Garza were high school sweethearts in the southern Texas town of Los Fresnos.
Life led them on separate paths for 18 years, but then Facebook helped reunite them. Now they’re a married Des Moines couple who have been in the art game for more than 11 years.
As Latinos living in the Midwest, some of their art is “a reflection of our beautiful culture, and for us to share that with others fills us with such pride,” they said in an email to the Ames Tribune.
Artists Randy and Paula Garza of Crooked Street Studios will be featured at the second annual Middle of NOWhere Rural Art & Music Festival.
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The Garzas are self-taught artists who paint to overcome life’s obstacles by forming Crooked Street Studios.
“It’s only brought us closer in our relationship,” the couple said. “We both feel lucky to have someone to bounce ideas and to encourage each other to keep going.”
Paula Garza is a mixed-media artist, primarily using acrylic. Randy Garza is a pop art stencil artist who uses spray paint and stencils.
Guests enjoy art, food and music at the first annual Middle of NOWhere Rural Art & Music Festival in 2024 at The Cellar Winery near Slater.
Love of color influences Mindspace Vnlimited studio
Veronique Umelo’s studio is called Mindspace Vnlimited. She’s originally from Raleigh, North Carolina.
A first-generation Nigerian-American living in the Des Moines area, Umelo has always had a love for color, but her passion for creating art developed later in life.
“As a newcomer to Iowa, I am captivated by the strong support and vibrant community surrounding the arts,” she wrote in an email.
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She is fascinated by spray painting and braiding hair, finding inspiration in the world around her as well as her faith in God.
“Everything in my life connects to help me visualize my experiences, and I strive to share them with the world,” Umelo said.
A special-edition wine, BIN 420 | Siricasso, has been created by The Cellar Winery to benefit the second annual MONfest event.
Bin 420 | Siricasso is a special-edition MONfest wine
Siricasso and John Barber, co-owner of The Cellar, were discussing ideas for MONfest, when the notion of a special-edition wine started to take shape.
Garcia designed a label that captured the shared vision while Barber brought the wine to life.
The result is BIN 420 | Siricasso, an “enchanting blush wine that is the perfect tribute to artistry in all its forms — that even includes wine.”
The label art features MONfest’s beloved possum character inspired by Garcia’s friend, artist Kandace Creel Falcón from Otter Tail County, Minnesota.
The design invites festivalgoers to embrace imagination, with a playful nod to vintage cartoons and collectible culture, connection and community.
“I also included a cartoon version of myself on the label, doing what I do best, painting and creating,” Garcia said. “This whole project is a celebration of creative spirit in every form.”
Ten dollars from every bottle sold supports the festival.
Festivalgoers can park anywhere downtown in Slater and catch the shuttle at Slater City Hall. The vintage bus run by Dahlia Darling and Co. will leave Slater at the top of each hour and return guests throughout the day.
Parking on the gravel road near the winery is also allowed.
Ronna Faaborg covers business and the arts for the Ames Tribune. Reach her at rfaaborg@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: What artists will be at the 2nd Middle of NOWhere Festival in Madrid?
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