LA CROSSE, Wis. (WXOW) - Myrick Park hosted the Art Fair on the Green Saturday and gave dozens of artists the opportunity to showcase their talent.
Hundreds of people flocked to the park to see what the artists had to show. All forms of art were present at the event, everything from digital photography to ceramics. For many of the artists, this show is more than a way to sell their art. For Marcia Newquist, it is an opportunity to give back to her community.
Newquist is a jeweler. Her tent was filled with plenty of necklaces and earrings of all styles. She got her start in jewelry 14 years ago. After a surgery, she was stuck in bed for most of the day. She needed something to do so she got into jewelry "by accident." Once a week, as she was recovering, her husband would take her to the craft store. They stocked up on beads and chains, and she got to work.
"I remember when I made my first necklace with the bead hanging from a chain, I was so proud of it, Newquist said.
She has come a long way since then. Ten years ago, Newquist had her first booth at Art Fair on the Green, now she comes every year. Three years ago, she made the decision to start donating to the New Horizons charity in La Crosse.
New Horizons is a shelter that serves victims of domestic abuse and sex trafficking. Newquist knew several people who had been victims of abuse. She saw how it affected their lives, and she knew she wanted to help area women recover. Now, she donates ten percent of every sale to New Horizons. The slogan of her jewelry shop now reads, "By Women, For Women, Supporting Women." You can visit her website here.
