EARLVILLE – In a fit of artistic euphoria, The Earlville Opera House’s annual Winter Celebration takes center stage this weekend. The free event features a number of artists as well as music performed by Tumbleweed Gumbo, from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday. During the event, featured artists will be on hand to also discuss their work and refreshments will be available.

Tumbleweed Gumbo is stationed out of Oneida and entertains Central New York audiences with an assortment of American, Cajun, and Celtic music. The band is influenced by Cajun musician Ray Abshire; the award-winning Nashville artist Gillian Welch; and folk musicians the Lonesome Sisters, among others. Tumbleweed Gumbo is comprised of singer and fiddler Liz Friedel; Steve Blais playing the Cajun accordion, acoustic guitar, and vocals; vocalist and guitar player Larry Jordan; and Werner Koegst on the stand-up bass.

The Winter Celebration will host an unveiling of artistic works remaining on display until March 2. Showcased in the opera house’s west gallery will be works of art created by Cazenovia College faculty. Among the faculty displaying their work is Cazenovia College Art Professor Anita Welych. A Syracuse native, Welych graduated from Cornell University and taught art abroad at colleges in Colombia before taking a position at Cazenovia. In 2004, Welych put on a one-woman art exhibition at the Earlville Opera House.

Also featured during the Winter Celebration will be Norwich’s own award-winning painter Henry J. Drexler. A well known artist, Drexler’s work was recently featured on the NBT Bank’s Wall of Art for the second time since 2009. Drexler’s paintings predominately depict rural landscapes that often include renderings of rustic barns and abstract cows. Growing up on a Central New York dairy farm, Drexler’s work is partial to rural subject matters, but he is also known for his award winning portraits. Drexler’s work will be on display in the opera house’s artist’s cafe gallery.