Pair plans art festival

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Fort Smith artists Sonny MacDonald and Lewis Beck are planning what they are calling the South Slave Arts Festival.

The event, which will coincide with the South Slave Friendship Festival in August, is designed to promote local artists in the Fort Smith region to display, sell and demonstrate their artworks.

MacDonald, who is a renowned carver, said he thinks it is time for this event because of the wealth of talent in the area.

"There are lots of artists and crafters here," he said. "It's just a matter of the interested people showing up."

Beck, a self-confessed "dabbler" in the arts, wants to start small and then expand the festival in the future.

"We're just going to play it by ear," Beck said. "We'll see what happens with this one and go from there."

A registration form for the festival is now being drafted by the two men.

MacDonald said anyone interested in learning more about the festival or being in it can contact him at 872-5935 or fax him at 872-4904.