Our Area > 20th Annual Jubilee Festival

Photo: Sally Wagner, co-chair of the Jubilee Festival; artist Michelle Foreman Leech; Barbara Ladnier, co-chair of the Jubilee Festival and Jay Hasting, event coordinator of the festival.

DAPHNE, AL, July 28, 2009 - - The Planning Committee for the 21st Annual Jubilee Festival has selected the official artwork for the event. The Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce event is scheduled for September 26 & 27, 2009 in Olde Town Daphne, 10 am – 5 pm daily.

The artwork created by Michelle Foreman Leech, of Fairhope was chosen for the poster, T-shirts and other printed materials for the festival, which will be sold at the Jubilee Festival Information booth. The painting depicts creatures frequently found in the bay and easily captured during Jubilee phenomena.

“I’m just crazy about this year’s artwork,” said Sally Wagner, co-chair along with Barbara Ladnier. “It’s very bright, fun and whimsical.”

Wagner said she discovered Leech’s work while dining at a local restaurant. The artwork display at the restaurant greatly impressed Wagner, and she immediately contacted her to ask to request a submission. Leech provided several mock-ups before one was selected by the committee for her to produce.

“I’m really quite honored and delighted to have been selected,” she said. “It’s nice to meet people who are art enthusiasts.

A native of Foley, Leech was raised in Baldwin County and graduated from Fairhope High School in 1976. She received her BFA in Visual Arts from the University Louisiana in Lafayette. The 54 year-old has been married to Gene Leech, for 10 years. He was her high school sweetheart. Leech has three children, Brooks, age 21, Sadie is 19 and Andrew is 17 years of age. She also has two step children, Amanda, age 28 and Jenny, who is 25.

Leech acquired her creative side from her mother, Mary Douglas, who had multiple degrees in art. Her mother was also the first paid art director of the Eastern Shore Art Center. Since working as an artist Leech has branched into many mediums, acrylic, watercolor and mixed media being three of her favorites. Her images frequently echo the flora and fauna of the area. The artwork she created for the Jubilee Festival is more graphic oriented. She has her work on display at the Fairhope Artist’s Gallery on South Section Street in Fairhope.

The Jubilee Festival’s two-day event is packed full of some of the most talented artists and craftsmen in the southeast. A special feature if the Kids Art in the Park, which consists of the wide variety of booths set up in Centennial Park. Children get to explore their artistic side by building sculptures, creating “fish prints”, making jewelry and painting their own masterpiece on the wood fence inside the park.

Another highlight is live-local entertainment every hour on the festival stage during the event. Plus the crowd always enjoys delicious festival foods sold in the food court.

The 2nd Annual Jubilee Race for Life will take place Saturday, September 26, beginning at 8 am with a 5 K run. Registration is $18 for adults and $17 for 18 and under. Register online at www.Active.com or visit www.baysidemedicalmission.org.

There is no admission to the Jubilee Festival. Parking is available in the neighborhoods throughout the downtown area and at Lott Park. For more information call 251-621-8222.