Is This Art Fair Heaven? St. Louis Art Fair

Eagerly I drove down I-55 through the corn fields 8869095457?profile=originalof Illinois from Chicago. For someone who loves to be on the road I was nearly ecstatic to be seeing the country again and also anticipating seeing friends in St. Louis. As I pulled into St. Louis at 5:10 pm the skies opened up with heavy rain and the wind roared between the buildings. No art fair for me or anyone else that night.

vans lined up in the hotel parking lot ready for the next day

8869095471?profile=originalLuckily I was spotted by artist Amy Flynn and her partner Phil Crone as I was unloading my car so the evening wasn't lost as they invited me to join them for a drink and a lot of catching up on their art fair travels.

Phil and Amy

Cindy Lerick, executive director, is a seasoned event promoter, whose background includes organizing marathons where she has had to make many weather-related calls. She quickly assessed the weather and shut the show down for the night. More details on this on John Leben's post.

Saturday and Sunday both dawned to beautiful weather, perfect for an art fair.

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Long time Operations Director Laura Miller


Commemorative posters with artwork by Jeffrey Cannon who has beautiful pastels, but I really want an original.

 

What is special about this event:

  • they received around 1400 applications for 180 spaces8869096059?profile=original
  • the jury took three days to make their choices, assuring a fair look for all applicants
  • they operate on a small budget and yet are generous to exhibitors, booth spaces looked to be about 15 x 15 with many generously sized corners. They could fit a lot more artists in and profit from it for their bottom line yet decline to do so. It was very comfortable for visitors as well as artists.
  • the artist hospitality area was open to VIP's as well, with no one checking ID, a nice place to rest
  • I know there were sponsors somewhere but obviously not intrusive as I never ran into their spaces
  • children's activities looked varied but lively, in a huge parking lot far from artists booths
  • lots of nice restaurants with outdoor eating areas so patrons could sit down, eat and drink and keep an eye on the show

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I know more about photography than any other media so was interested to see who had been chosen. The photography in the show was quite good, most of the photographers still going to the darkroom, or its digital equivalent; studio work prevailed with interesting processes and fiber paper used by many. Especially loved the work of Chris Dahlquist, Randy Dana, Mark MacKinnon, Janet Woodcock and Michael Cole, and a pleasure to see the reappearance of Jill Bedford, who had left the business for a while.

Photographer Mark MacKinnon

Loved meeting some of AFI members

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and contributors David Bjurstrom, Daryl Thetford, John Leben, Jack Brumbaugh, Michael Wommack, Ana Petercic, Paul Willsea, John Costin (looking for a new tent on the site after his experiences), Marina Terauds, Gregg Rasmussen, Terry Evans and so many of you other "lurkers." (You know who you are!)

Great to meet David Bjurstrom!

Greetings to all my old friends, such a treat to see and visit again with Tom McGurrin, Matthew Naftzger, Dawn Adams, Charles Gatewood (my date for the artist award breakfast-thanks, Charlie), Joachim Knill, Stephen Sebastian, Marian Steen (so sorry I couldn't stick around for your party), Scott and Kathrine Allen-Coleman, Andrew Shea, Aaron Hequembourg, Sally Bright, Mark & Julie Glocke, Mark Sudduth, Xavier Nuez, Michael Hamilton, Matthew Hatala. 8869096289?profile=original

 

Scott Coleman helps Scott Swezy move a new painting to replace the one he sold

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Daryl Thetford makes the sale

 

 

 

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Paul Willsea sends a piece of glass to a new home

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Don't think Matthew Hatala could have gotten more people into his booth, do you?

 

 

 

 

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Helen Gotlib wins the award for best hat ;)

 

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Joe DeCamillis & Sally Bright

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Artwork by Daniela Ovtcharov, Sam Stang and Nathan Grubich & Amanda St. Hilaire-Grubich

 

Would you like to be in this art fair next year? Best suggestion is to visit their site: culturalfestivals.com and examine the artist images there in your category and see where you can fit in and compete. Many thanks to Cindy Lerick for her hospitality and to all her Board who make this art fair one of the best in the nation.

8869097293?profile=originalConnie Mettler, operations director Laura Miller, artist Gilliam Kemper, artist Joe DeCamillis, director Cindy Lerick,
artist Marian Steen, Ann Geister, judge Sarah Rishel

Here's even more! My YouTube video -- please don't criticize the "production values"

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Comments

  • Love the pictorial - thank you Connie!

  • Connie Dear, So glad I am able to receive your mail. My system here is switched & no longer will loose your messages as I have most of the yr. 
    So very sorry about Archie S. GoD Bless him. I know it will be a long process=; talk to the hand. but if the nerves are there so will he be OK.. Thank GOD. 
    Travel Saffely & B well..
     Still looking fir indoor venues here in the midwest. I am near ORD. (O'Hare Int'l.)
    My schedule is seen at my site www.ManePtSply.com/PlannedShows
    Thanx Much. Elaine
  • Thanks Connie, I sort of felt like I was kind of there.  I should have gone with you.  I might not be crawling around if I had.

  • Really great report!!!! Thanks Connie!

  • It was great to finally me you, Connie.

    And I agree. This is an incredibly well-run show. Even the Friday evening disastrous weather and damage to several artists was handled with great grace by Cindy Lerick, her staff and volunteers.

    This show definitely deserves a spot at the top of the heap!

  • I'm betting the show organizers didn't know the people with the bracelets (think they were for breast cancer) were pushing a cart through the show. Shows have non-profit partners who share the work/income/sponsorship and if your group hasn't made this partnership with the show you aren't allowed.

    I'm with you on the alternative activities because they keep people around longer and give them a break so people can shop some more. You're right, I did see the Blues Museum and talked to the Patch.com folks, but somehow they didn't seem intrusive.

    You know I remember hearing about the alternative show some years back and kind of was looking for it. Unlike some other events where the "other" show is within viewing distance I never spotted this.

    The work was wonderful.

  • Not that the video was so great, but I had to delete my favorite part where Charles Gatewood received his award because of all the raucous cheering and remarks and YouTube only allows 15 minutes and I was over time.

    I was surprised, Geri, at how long it didn't take. I left the Loop in Chicago at noon and was in St. Louis by 5 pm. Probably would have been there sooner but my new Garmin gave me a tour of St. Louis ... don't ask me what it did in Indianapolis on the way home.

  • Great report and pictures.  That is one show I would really like to go to.  

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