Crestline art event returns, this year as a ‘festival’
The annual Mountain Brook Art Association spring event, now in its 32nd year, has undergone a slight name change to better define the large outdoor show. The Spring Art Festival, formerly Spring Art Show, will be held April 20 from 9 a.m.-4p.m. at the Crestline Elementary sports field.
Association President Janet Sanders said the name change is to attract visitors from further away.
“We have been around a long time, but there are a lot of little ‘festivals’ cropping up all over, making for a lot of new competition,” Sanders said. “In this new world of online calendars, we need to become more descriptive so potential customers will recognize the value of our wonderful show.”
The goal of the event is to highlight members of the Mountain Brook Art Association’s work, to raise awareness of buying local art and to create a venue for the work to be sold. More than 70 artists will attend.
In addition artist tents, a hospitality tent and information center, will be available for guests who get lost or want to find a specific artist in the sea of displays.
Member volunteers in the hospitality tent may also hang a few pieces of their work to sell, providing a way the entire membership can participate.
“Older artists who no longer have the energy to set up a tent of their own and do all the work can still show their art and visit with long term customers,” Sanders said, “and newer members or artists who are just starting out can get their feet wet.”
To emphasize the locality of membership, rules of the club allow only people who live in a 25-mile radius from Mountain Brook City Hall.
Each artist will have their own 10-foot by 10-foot tent to fill with his or her artwork with prices of their choosing.
All artwork showcased is two-dimensional and may be hung on a wall. Artwork will range in size from miniature pieces to extra large canvases and will be marked at all prices. Visa, MasterCard, checks and cash will be accepted.
Crestline Bagel Company will be there until noon, and Neil’s Ice Cream will attend. A student jazz band from Nashville will provide music for the event.
The sale started when students of Ron Lewis at Mountain Brook Community Education decided to sell paintings from his class on a Saturday in April 33 years ago.
“They must have done well because the club and the show were born,” Sanders said, noting that last year approximately 5,000 visitors came to the event.
If there is rain, the event will be held April 21 from noon-5 p.m.
Visit mountainbrookartassociation.com or email Janet Sanders at mtnbrookartassoc@gmail.com to learn more.