Artists' showcase: EDee Steckler gets ready for Holiday Arts Show

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EDee Steckler has her colored pencils, paper, erasers and model of a teapot spread across the kitchen table. The tools are being used to complete an entry for the Badlands Art Association’s 39th annual Holiday Art Show.

“We’re definitely getting ready — frantically ready,” said Steckler, who is the show’s co-chairman. “You always swear you’ll do art work throughout the year, but it’s out of sight, out of mind unless you’re doing another show.”

This year’s show opens with the artists’ preview from 6-9 p.m. on Friday. It continues from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday at the Days Hotel Grand Dakota Lodge.

The public is invited to all the events. There is no admission charge, but donations are appreciated to cover expenses.

While art may be purchased the entire weekend, Steckler suggests making a purchase on Friday while the selection is the greatest. The public also may bid on a favorite piece of art, starting with the asking price of the artist. The bidding continues until 9 p.m. Friday.

“If they are shopping for somebody and they have no idea what to buy, this could be a good place to go for a unique gift,” she said.

While sale of an art piece is always appreciated, Steckler said artists enjoy the opportunity to have their work judged.

“It is a lot of fun. It’s really great when you come on Friday at 6 p.m., and see a prize on your work. It’s a neat feeling to be recognized by your peers,” she said.

An important part of the art show is the student section, which was added several years ago.

“It really adds to our show and brings more people in,” she said. “I think it helps the kids. It gives them an outlet to show their work right away. They can show as young as kindergarten. It gets them going and keeps them going.”

The show also serves as the venue for area artisans. Entries include everything from jewelry to pottery, purses to note cards.

She said the art show is open to anyone who wishes to enter, be it sculpture, photography, paintings or drawings.

“We have a lot of photography entries this year. Some people like Lyle Glass of Medora have done some beautiful work,” she said. “I love my digital camera. I have a couple of photographs I’m going to enter this year.”

Steckler describes herself as “the new kid on the block” when it comes to membership in the BAA. She joined in 1995, but some of the members have been active since it was organized.

Steckler grew up on a farm north of Manning and left North Dakota in 1966. She lived in various parts of the country and spent three years in Panama while her husband, Dave, was in the military. They returned to Dickinson in 1993.

“I’ve always liked art, even as a small child, but years ago they didn’t offer art classes in school. I did it on my own,” she said.

“I was self-taught until 1995 when I went back to college. It made me realize how much I didn’t know,” she added.

Steckler has dabbled in a variety of art mediums, including pastels, ceramics, wire art, watercolor, acrylics and oil.

“I’d still like to try stained glass — it’s a different art,” she said.

Her favorite medium is watercolor, but colored pencils may become her second favorite.

“I can grab the colored pencils, eraser and paper and I can go.”

Steckler markets her work mostly through art shows held around the state. In addition to selling art, she has a catalogue business titled “EDee’s Gifts” that features household items and knick knacks.

Show co-chairman Rose Marie Ehresman said participation in the event is open to everyone.

“Any artist who wants to show their work —that’s what the show is all about.”

She said the association has more than 100 pieces of art already entered in the show, but there’s always room for more. Entries can be submitted until Thursday when the show is being set up at the Days Hotel. Artisans can also sign up for a booth.

For more information, call Steckler at 701-483-0178 or 701-290-0876.

Tags: lifestyle, art