Artists from six different states will have pieces on display and for sale at the 12th annual Iowa Sculpture Festival this weekend in Newton. Linda Klepinger has been with the Festival since it began and says making it 12 years is an accomplishment in itself. “I think that what we have going for us is that our committee is a very solid group who plays well together, works well together, and we have been together all those years. It’s the same group that started quite sometime ago,” Klepinger says.

There are 16 members on the committee, but Klepinger says they are only a small part of the event. She says there are as many as 200 volunteers that help make things happen. The Sculpture Festival kicks off with a special 25-dollar per person event from 5:30 to 8 tonight. Klepinger says Friday night is a chance to get a first impression of the sculptures that is a little less distracted by all the other stuff that goes on. Admission Saturday and Sunday is three dollars for adults and one dollar for kids 12 and up. Klepinger says there will be several art-based activities for kids.

Sculptures made by Newton students will be on display. The Iowa Sculpture Festival is open from 10 until five Saturday and 10 until four Sunday.

(Reporting by Randy Van, KCOB, Newton)