Edwards Place Fine Art Fair continues evolution in 34th year; still draws a crowd

Sherman-based artist Bri Skeels has been visiting the Edwards Place Fine Art Fair ever since she was a high schooler interested in whatever kind of art she could get her hands on.

As she grew into her work, she made it a goal to one day sell her creations -- jewelry, paintings, sculptures and more -- at the fair. Saturday, she got the chance.

"Being here this year, I'm meeting a pretty big goal, which I'm very happy about," Skeels said. "(I'm) quite proud, but it also hasn't sunk in fully. My brain feels like fuzz if that makes sense."

Skeels was among 55 artists and groups selling their wares at the 34th annual event, which continues Sunday at the Springfield Art Association's headquarters at the eponymous house, built in 1833 and still standing as the oldest house in the city still on its original foundation.

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The event, smaller than in past years when hundreds of artisans and crafters would exhibit their work, has been culled down because many older artists decided to hang up their smocks as a result of the pandemic, SAA executive director Betsy Dollar explained.

While there were plenty of younger artists ready to fill their shoes, such as Skeels, Dollar said that people like her weren't yet jumping at the chance to show off their work at Edwards Place.

"A lot of the younger artists aren't taking up the mantle to do the whole art fair circuit," Dollar said. "It's a lot of work and they are much more into electronics and social media to sell their work. They maybe do a fair or two."

Still, plenty of artists made it out, along with the crowds late Saturday morning. A variety of art was displayed, from painting to ceramics to jewelry to fibers and other kinds of mixed media. The assorted pieces came at prices that could fit many budgets.

"I've done a chunk of early birthday and Christmas shopping to buy fun and different things," Dollar said. "It's great for gift-giving; (there's) lots of price points and unique stuff that no one else is going to give that person."

While the fair attracted area artists, some came from as far away as Florida and New Mexico. There also were plenty of other activities for guests to enjoy, from glass blowing demonstrations, Raku ceramic firing and guided tours of Edwards Place.

Loami-based artist Christy Freeman Stark exhibited her 2D paintings. She takes part in the fair to support SAA, an organization she has been a part of for years serving for a time on the board of directors.

"It's a respected organization that chooses quality artists, (the event) is easy to get to, it's in a park-like setting," said Stark, who has her own showcase, DIM Art House, in Springfield. "There's a lot going on; there's music and food (and) a book sale. Springfield comes out for this one. It's easy-going."

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Dollar said that she will likely cap the number of vendors at 60 in the coming years as a way to not make the grounds so crowded. She said that SAA could accommodate up to 75 artists on the grounds.

"We have done some landscaping that has taken out the possibility of some tent locations," Dollar said. "That has scaled things down a little bit (from prior years).

Still, Dollar said that artists like Stark and Skeels enjoy the event because it takes place at a unique, historic venue with plenty of space and for the treatment they get from SAA.

"They give us the feedback that they are treated well at this fair, which keeps them coming back," Dollar said. "(But), if they don't have good sales, they won't come back. We have had people that have come for one year, their sales have not been good and they haven't come back."

For people like Skeels, the event provides a peaceful environment that gives them something they enjoy: the ability to show off the world of art to people passionate about creativity.

"I really like how calm it is," Skeels said. "It's in a very nice area and I really like the Edwards Place itself. It's one of my favorite historic places in town. I just think the ambiance is very nice compared to other art fairs."

This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Springfield's Edwards Place Fine Art Fair continues to evolve