June 29 & 30, presented by the Toledo Botanical Garden
This art fair debuted in this lovely 40 acre garden in 1975. The approximately 200 artists booths amble through wooded glens and meticulously groomed perennial beds. Just about everyone has a shady space as this last weekend in July can be pretty hot. It may be the prettiest place to do an art fair. There is ample food, ample elbow room and if you are shopping and bring a friend who loves gardens also it can be a wonderful day.
There has been a lot of rain in northern Ohio this year so I dressed carefully, rubber knee boots? rubber gardening shoes? Crocs? But in the end I knew the crew at TBG has been doing this show for a long time and would be ready for the weather. A very heavy rain had shut down the Friday night preview party (2 inches?) and my assumptions were correct. The organizers had relaid paths, yellow-caution-taped off swampy areas, and had plenty of straw on hand to keep the visitors to the show comfortable, many who ride a shuttle bus from a nearby area to the park.
There was a nice balance of media, including these watercolors by Peggy Furlin.
I was there for four hours on Saturday. The parking lots nearby were full and there was a steady stream of shoppers. Upon arrival I saw people exiting with their hands full.
I must have known half the show by name! Starting at the front gate with Ken and Rachel Connor, Berry Davis and Annette Fortin, Sandy Atkins-Moran, Angelo Fico and Karen Naylor. Great to see so many old friends, including Andrew Wender, Kelly Hewitt, Mark Lewanski, (how did I miss Paula Shoulders?), Al Sievers, Mark Sudduth, Herb Thomas, Chuck Wimmer, Don David, Dianna Dinka, Cynthia Mann, Annette Morrin and Chris Maher, Kristin Perkins, Sharon and Bob Spry, Bonnie Eastwood, Scott Pakulski, Steve and Lynn Cebula and Richard McCollum.
I knew so many people and met artists who said they were regular readers on this site that I was sure someone would do a review. Where are you, folks? Only you know the inside of this show.
What you need to know:
1. Easy drive up to your booth. Vehicles are parked some ways away so you have to plan not to have it near during the show. I believe they run shuttles to artist parking.
2. Beautiful venue and the best show in the Toledo area. These folks also love art fairs and are found in large numbers at Ann Arbor in July, so no hayseeds here.
3. Well run, prize money (I know Scott Pakulski won a prize but I don't have the winners list. Can anyone provide it?), reliable, experienced staff
Show director Judy Bowles passes out the ribbons
4. Steady attendance and loyal attendees
5. Reasonable booth fee: $250 (I believe)
Learn more about the show: http://www.toledogarden.org
Glass artist Al Sievers (left)
Ed King, PopArt (right)
I had a chance to meet Peggy and Bruce Furlin. Peggy "invented" our signature "Red Dot" bumper sticker.
Here is member Kim Sutherland
Who said there are no young people in the art fairs? Meet woodworkers Kyle and Jennifer Hawke.
Loved Lisa Gastelum's jewelry, meticulous bead weaving in great colors
Jeweler Cynthia Mann
Glass blower Mark Sudduth wins again!
Comments
Thanks for a really awesome review. This was on my list of shows I'd like to do (If I can ever get in) and you've helped me confirm it's staying on that list.
Kyle was four booths down from me and Taylor Mazer who won second in graphics was two booths away from me...
No surprise about Kyle's receiving that prize. My friend who was with me made me go back and look at his booth because I'd missed it and she was very impressed with his work.
And Kyle Hawke won a first prize in sculpture. I saw a lot of ribbons in the yellow section...
Hello Connie - the winner's list is up on the Toledo Botanical Garden page... http://www.toledogarden.org/?page_id=634
and here they are:
Best in Show: Tom Marino, ceramics
Ceramics
1) William Shearrow
2) Robert Friedley
3) Ann Tubbs
Fiber
1) Donna Mundschau
2) Deborah Kennedy
3) Kelly Hewitt
Glass
1) Mark Sudduth
2) Berry Davis
3) David Goldhagen
Graphics
1) Robin Lauersdorf
2) Taylor Mazer
3) Larry & Sherry Paulsen
Painting
1) M.J. Rigby
2) Maria Pfropper
3) Mr. Atomic
Photography
1) Randall Shedd
2) Jason Stoddart
3) Scott Pakulski
Mixed Media
1) Dani Herrera
2) Deborah O’Keefe
3) Kelly Burt
Jewelry
1) Molly Strader
2) Annette Morrin
3) Jonathan Stopper
Sculpture
1) Kyle Hawke
2) Barbara Lalicich
3) William Wood
Wood
1) Donald Shurlow
2) Michael Miller
3) Richard McCollum