ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, June 10, 1996 TAG: 9606100048
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: KAREN ADAMS AND ALESSANDRA SOLER STAFF WRITERS
SOME ARTISTS SAY moving the annual Sidewalk Art Show a few blocks away from Roanoke's Elmwood Park gave them a more committed audience.
When the Art Museum of Western Virginia decided to move this year's Sidewalk Art Show from the crowds of Elmwood Park to the streets of Roanoke's market area, some artists worried that people would never find them.
But they did. Not in droves, perhaps, but in appreciative clusters.
For years, the Sidewalk Art Show was held in Elmwood Park, elbow-to-elbow with Festival in the Park. But the rapid growth of the festival, coupled with many artists' preference for art alone, persuaded the museum's Docent Guild to find a new location. As a result, the 38th annual show was moved to Salem Avenue, Market Street and Wall Street downtown near the market area. According to most, it was a good idea.
``These people came to see art. They weren't there to stop some place and buy a hot dog,'' Roanoke sculptor C.J. Phillips said. She said the artists she spoke with were happy with the new location. Also, she said, ``It brought business further downtown, and there was more money spent that way.'' Phillips herself sold one large piece for $5,500.
Huddleston photographer Susan Bidwell, who made more money this year than last on the seven pieces she sold, also applauded the spacious new location. ``I liked being near the other shops downtown,'' she added. ``You could go and have a cup of coffee if you wanted to.''
This was confirmed by Mill Mountain Coffee & Tea manager Kevin Speed, who said his shop was unusually busy during the show.
Sculptor Ann Murrell of Miami said she was concerned initially about losing people in the move, but ended up selling as much as usual. She and her husband, Lee, have exhibited in the show for the past three years and average between $3,000 and $4,000 in sales. ``I think most of the artists actually liked it better,'' she said.
Sidewalk Art Show chairwoman Jobil Cole said she was pleased with the outcome. ``Overall, it really was a good move. [The artists] were very happy. One couple said they had doubled their sales from years past,'' she said. The Docent Guild surveyed the participants and were told most often that the new location suited them. ``Some artists who had not been coming had returned,'' Cole said.
Painter Pam Connolly of Richmond, who had previously sold silk scarves at the craft show, said her sales increased by several hundred dollars. ``There was a completely different atmosphere. The people ... apparently knew more about art and could appreciate it more. They knew what they were talking about.''
Nevertheless, several had disappointing business. Goode folk artist Pat Dougherty, whose sales were down by half at the new Sidewalk Art Show location, said, ``This was the first year that it changed location, and I kind of expected that; but if it happens again next year, and sales continue to drop, then I'll start to worry.''
Attendance is difficult to track, since no admission is charged at any of the three art shows - the museum's show, the festival's fine arts and crafts show, and the wearable art show. By all accounts, it was good in both places on both weekends. Cole said of the Sidewalk Art Show, ``At the height of the day, that place was packed.''
Wendi Schultz, director of Festival in the Park, said the number of festival buttons sold, which indicates attendance at many events, is still being tallied and will be available next week. Overall, she was satisfied with the results, including the new art offerings. ``Considering the weather [the first weekend], I think the fine arts and crafts show was very well attended,'' she said.
The wearable art show, held the second weekend in Elmwood Park, was also a smooth-running success. Schultz said, ``The quality was outstanding, especially for the first year.''
With the Sidewalk Art Show's move, Elmwood Park was less congested. ``Several folks did comment that it was very nice to have the art spread out. It gave everybody more needed space,'' Schultz said.
Like attendance, profits are hard to measure because they are strictly the artists' business; the only money made by either Festival in the Park or the Art Museum of Western Virginia comes from the artists' registration fees.
``We thought it was a great success,'' said Joanne Kuebler, art museum director. ``We had more artists, and we like working with them. They're creating the art of our time.''
She added that the show reflects the museum's mission, which is to promote the arts in the area, and it drew artists and visitors into the museum.
It also brought them to the Market Square, which many merchants appreciated. ``I think it's wonderful, the whole thing,'' said Peggy Spiegel, owner of For the Birds, a downtown bird-and-garden shop. ``And having the art on one end and the other things on the other end made for more traffic through the market.'' She said she gained new customers as a result.
Some artists in the Sidewalk Art Show said they missed the grass and the shady trees of Elmwood Park. Although this year's weather was ideal, the Art Museum is considering umbrellas for shade in the future.
All things considered, said Cole, the Sidewalk Art Show chairwoman, ``we're real excited about next year, in our new home.''
LENGTH: Medium: 99 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: ERIC BRADY Staff Some artists and shop owners, but notby CNBall, praise the relocation of the Sidewalk Art Show to Roanoke's
market area.