A&E FYI: The 2009 Park Point Art Fair wants your artwork

Artists are invited to apply for entry into the 39th annual Park Point Art Fair, a juried event featuring more than 115 visual artists exhibiting and selling their work June 27 and 28, 2009, at the Park Point Recreation Area in Duluth. Applications, which can be downloaded at www.parkpointcommunityclub.org, are due (postmarked) March 1.

This is a juried art fair of original, handmade work in clay, jewelry, glass, fiber, sculpture, photography, wood, painting, leather and 2-D and 3-D mixed media. Not accepted: kits, patterns, buy/sell or country crafts. Applicants may submit four slides or electronic samples representing the work they will show and sell.

A jury of three art professionals will judge the slides within eight categories based on originality and/or craftsmanship. The highest scores in each category are then selected to attend the two-day event, where more than $1,000 in cash awards, including a $300 Best of Show award, as well as an original Park Point-commissioned artwork are bestowed upon a winning artist in each category.

In 2008, 115 artists were selected from a pool of 200 local, regional and national applicants. The free event, held on the shores of Lake Superior, annually attracts an estimated 8,000 to 10,000 visitors for its fine arts and crafts, live music, food, interactive arts for children, storytelling, juggling and more.

The event has grown to attract local and visiting patrons, and is one of the few remaining “grassroots” fairs of its kind. Artists frequently cite the location, ease of set-up, volunteer assistance and artist-appreciation dinner for helping evoke a uniquely welcoming atmosphere.

The Park Point Art Fair is presented annually by the Park Point Community Club, a volunteer citizen group that uses art fair proceeds to support local youth activities, environmental projects such as tree plantings and dune preservation and other community-minded efforts.

For an application, more information and a list of 2008 artists, visit www.parkpointcommunityclub.org. Or, contact coordinator Carla Tamburro at carlajake@clearwire.net or 428-1916.

~Information courtesy Park Point Community Club