2008 Woodie Awards
Rain dampens spirit of Art in the Park
Ashley Fairbanks
Issue date: 8/31/06 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
On Aug. 19, Art in the Park brought in 75 of the 85 vendors who signed up to be a part of the show. The numbers were down from last year's 120 vendors. Irene Unruh, Sandhill Arts Association Art in the park coordinator, said she thought numbers were down because of the weather.
"It could have very well been the rain, but it also could have been the timing," Unruh said.
Bruce Spiller, Garden City, attended as a vendor and as a patron.
"The cold and rainy weather has an effect on why people aren't here," Spiller said. "I did however, see several booths who have done real well this year."
Galen Kalbach, one of the vendors, has been coming to Art in the Park for almost 20 years. He said he was not pleased this year with the turn out and items throughout the park.
"It is not a fine arts show anymore," Kalbach said. "It is not a show comprised of handmade items, just things you can get anywhere."
Kalbach, from Marienthal, Kan., sells floral arrangements from his own home grown flowers. He attends shows all year round and also gives tours of his flower gardens.
"In the past I have done real well at this show, but the last few years hasn't been so good due to the lack of interest," Kalbach said.
For other vendors like Sonya Patterson, Yukon, Okla., it was only their first or second year.
"This is my second year here and I am little disappointed in the amount of fine art booths and painters, but I got an award on one of my paintings, so I can't complain too much," Patterson said.
Art in the Park is a yearly event that features artists and their work.
"It could have very well been the rain, but it also could have been the timing," Unruh said.
Bruce Spiller, Garden City, attended as a vendor and as a patron.
"The cold and rainy weather has an effect on why people aren't here," Spiller said. "I did however, see several booths who have done real well this year."
Galen Kalbach, one of the vendors, has been coming to Art in the Park for almost 20 years. He said he was not pleased this year with the turn out and items throughout the park.
"It is not a fine arts show anymore," Kalbach said. "It is not a show comprised of handmade items, just things you can get anywhere."
Kalbach, from Marienthal, Kan., sells floral arrangements from his own home grown flowers. He attends shows all year round and also gives tours of his flower gardens.
"In the past I have done real well at this show, but the last few years hasn't been so good due to the lack of interest," Kalbach said.
For other vendors like Sonya Patterson, Yukon, Okla., it was only their first or second year.
"This is my second year here and I am little disappointed in the amount of fine art booths and painters, but I got an award on one of my paintings, so I can't complain too much," Patterson said.
Art in the Park is a yearly event that features artists and their work.