Planning underway for 2nd Story Arts & Ideas Festival

A collaboration and confluence of artists and business entrepreneurs could serve as the catalyst for what is hoped to be an annual event that could add another destination point for the City of Fort Scott.

Dubbed the "2nd Story Festival of Arts and Ideas," the two-day weekend in April will also piggyback on a concert the previous day, April 7, by Branford Marsalis, and present residents and visitors a wide variety of options to sample, savor and experience.

Jared Witt and Heather Smith presented an overview of the festival for members of the Fort Scott Rotary Club.

"The goal is to become a regional hub for arts and innovation," said Witt.

The event is being organized by a number of groups and individuals working together to draw not only interest from local citizens but prove to be a draw from surrounding towns and states.

It made sense to choose the dates with Marsalis' concert in mind to capitalize on the energy of that performance and give those in attendance additional reasons to attend for all three days, Witt said.

Friday will feature an entrepreneur innovator panel from 6 to 9 p.m. featuring round table discussions and a wine and cheese networking reception at the Empress Event Center in downtown Fort Scott.

Among the topics will be the challenges facing business startups and effective marketing.

"This is open to anybody," said Smith.

Saturday morning opens with a small business workshop. While plans remain tentative and are still being firmed up for each of the events, organizers hope to offer a tour of a small, local business that has successfully launched and grown.

After lunch and speaker presentations, time will be allotted for networking opportunities and one-on-one meetings.

Workshops will take place all day Saturday, spanning a range of interests including watercolor, ceramics, pottery, poetry, and children's literature. A number of the workshops will offer hands-on activities.

An art sale is planned for that night, from 7 to 9 p.m., with a reception at Beaux Arts Center, which is north of the Post Office.

Expected to attend are author Casie Hermanson, an English professor at Pittsburg State, artist Stephen Johnson from Lawrence, former resident Veretta Cobler, a well-known photographer based in New York City, potter Daria Claiborne of Joplin, water color artist Debbie Reed of Joplin, Fort Scott poet Jane Campbell, Fort Scott book publisher Don Miller, and renowned chef Jasper Mirabile Jr. of Kansas City.

"And we may add additional artists," Witt said.

More information can be found at www.2ndstoryartfestival.com, on Facebook (Inaugural of 2nd Story Festival of Arts & Ideas) and on Twitter.

"We have a great quality of people coming to take part," summed up Witt. "A lot of people are working to put this together. We want to make this a great annual event."