Art to abound during weekend

Devotees of crafts and fine arts will have much to choose from this weekend in Madera with one comedic play, two art shows and a craft sale. Madera County Behavioral Health Services will host its fourth annual art show from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at 209 E. 7th St. This year’s theme is “A Night in Paris.” Staff, clients and community members ages 3 and up submit artwork. Contests by age group will honor art judged most noteworthy. Coyote Drama Productions and International Thespian Society Troupe #8160 are presenting a Tony-award winning musical comedy, “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” on stage tonight and Saturday. The play features six tweens competing to win a spelling championship as flashbacks reveal comical and dramatic stories from their home lives. The show will be 7:30 p.m. tonight and 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday in Coyote Arena Theatre, Madera High School, 200 S. L St. Ticket prices are $10 for adults and $5 for students, senior citizens and children under age 12. Circle Gallery, 1653 N. Schnoor Ave. #113, will present its 10th annual Holiday Art Affair from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Artists and crafters will sell pottery, handmade goat milk soap, jewelry, metal art, paintings, illustrated books for children, wearable art, tabletop gardens, and more. Oil painter Griselda Tello will create an original work of art during the day. Attendees can buy a ticket to win it. Local students will entertain with music, and refreshments will be served. Annette’s Home Gallery will present its ninth annual Holiday Art Show at 801 Claremont Drive from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and noon to 3 p.m. Sunday. Featured will be Nancy Burckert’s original watercolors, Cyndy Farr’s handmade pottery bowls and Annette Nordine’s “People Watching” photographs, original acrylics and watercolors, coffee mugs and photo note cards. For information on the Behavioral Health art show, call BHS at 461-5156. For information on the art affair, visit www.maderaarts.org. For information on the Holiday Art Show, call 664-1142 or email andoud@sbcglobal.net.