As a member of the CAA artist group I can say we've come a long way, but have a long way to go yet. This year the COA pavilion was completely finished and made a nice location for many artists to set up their displays. I usually set up my own booth at shows, but two weeks ago, I blew out my right knee so being able to set up in the pavilion was a big advantage and a lot less work.
Door prizes, music and pleasant weather made for a good day. I wish the attendance would of been better, and getting people to realize this is a great little juried show is going to take time. One women I know told me her neighbor, our president Tom Rose, had been bugging her for years now to attend. She said she was shocked to see the caliber of artwork and had no idea what a great show was right in her own back yard!
Each show I do has its special moments and this show had one of the best. The CAA has door prizes that are drawn every half hour and I donated 3 necklaces. There was a father and his two daughters who stayed most of the afternoon and after each drawing his youngest daughter would go up the door prize table and say, its still here. They stayed most of the afternoon until her name was drawn and she excitedly went up to the table to collect her prize. It was one of my necklaces! Her father told me she had wanted it so bad and so he stayed in hopes she might win it. He asked if he might take a picture of the two of us as she had wanted to meet the artist. Another goose bump moment in my life as an artist.
I want to thank my daughter Kelly and granddaughter Keirsten for giving up most of their day and helping me get through the set up and show with my bum knee. You both made it easy for me to continue doing what I love to do.
If you weren't able to attend here's just a bit of what you missed:
