By CINDY LADAGE
Illinois Correspondent

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — When thinking about fine art, “rural” and “farm” doesn’t always come to mind, although nature many times plays a part in what inspires artwork.

On May 15-16, Springfield came alive with visitors to see the original art on display in the Old Capitol Art Fair. Artists had a variety of items to offer, including woven fabric, scrimshaw, jewelry, sculpture, photography, glassware, pottery, wood, metalwork, oils, watercolors and other media.

Artists traveled from all over to set up outside of Springfield’s Old Capitol for one of the most popular, juried art fairs in the country. Developed in 1961, the fair has become a Springfield area tradition.

The original concept was defined by the purpose: “Economic, social, cultural, historical and physical aspects of the central area of Springfield, so as to enhance the City, County and State, and to make a model Capitol City to be observed by other cities of the nation as a source of pride and emulation.”

Since the Land of Lincoln was once part of the prairie tamed by the plow, it made sense that farming and all things rural would become part of the art offered at this cultural venue.

Jim Newbury of Bethalto, Ill., had a wooden tractor along with his log trucks, crane trucks and other wooden artwork. Another Illinois artist who works with wood was Steven Martin of Carterville. Using the Cyprus, walnut and tulip wood from the native area near the Shawnee National Forest, he creates boxes with drawers (they start out as a part of a tree trunk).

Wheat Elder of Salem, Ill., took a moment to pose next to her hay bale painting. Char Terbeest Kudla of Baraboo, Wis., is one of two sisters who comprise Helen’s Daughters. A farmer’s daughter, Char said she loved the farm life and was set up at the show selling handbags.

According to their website at www.helensdaughters.com the handbag business was started in 1989 by two sisters, including Terbeest Kudla. Helen was their mother and the purse business honors her “and all that she taught us about being creative, loving life and having fun.”

Food and entertainment were also part of this local show. Bob Bedford, a folk artist from Auburn, Ill., wooed the crowd with his mellow voice and haunting lyrics that include rural themes from around the world.

Part of the charm of the art fair is its location outside of the Abraham Lincoln Old State Capitol. The Greek Revival building’s cornerstone was laid in 1837. Lincoln was serving as a legislator when Illinois moved the state capital from Vandalia to Springfield early that year.

This was where he tried many cases and even delivered his “A House Divided” speech in 1858.

The city outgrew the building while Lincoln was president and the building was dismantled in 1966 and rebuilt, now open to the public. Call 217-785-7960 for more information, or write to: Site Manager, Old State Capitol State Historic Site, 5th & Adams Streets, Springfield, IL 62701.