Hats off to the Winthrop Chamber of Commerce members who are taken turns manning a booth at the Artisans Sunday Market in the park. Not only are they promoting our area (which some of the citizens wish we wouldn't do so effectively) but checking in with the vendors during the day.

I’m impressed by the way they are handling the market; emailing us mid week to verify who will be attending the next one, trying new area layouts that consider sun/shade/unloading/parking and having a site map already done when you arrive. Chamber members are also asking us what's working or for suggestions on how to improve the market. This takes extra hours and effort from these merchants who are already working a full schedule in their businesses. Pretty amazing! This probably does not directly translate into dollars for their shop, but their belief is that the market showcases the talent of local artisans. This in turn adds to a quality Winthrop experience which helps us all.

It's been over year since I joined the Chamber of Commerce. It's both money and time well spent. For other artists out there, you may want to check in to becoming a member of your local C of C.

I thought I had experienced mountains. That was before I visited the Lauterbrunnen Valley in Switzerland. Those are some SERIOUS mountains, rimming the floor with sheer cliff walls rising 1000 meters. Breathtaking! Gliding silently along the cable car route to Grimmelwald and Murren reminded me of the high altitude meadows in the Pasayten Wilderness in my "backyard", the Okanogan National Forest.
This painting, along with others from that Lauterbrunnen trip will be on exhibit at the Winthrop Gallery in August. Opening reception for the show is Saturday August 1st from 6 pm to 8 pm. Join us!

Off to Market…

This summer Winthrop created a Sunday Farmers/Artisans Market held from 10am to 2pm in our lovely grass & pine filled, riverfront park. It was a classic light bulb moment when one of the local citizens figured out that on Sunday all the visitors were heading home with empty coolers. Here was an opportunity to fill those voided spaces with fresh valley produce and maybe a few well crafted art pieces.

What I like about markets or art festivals is the relaxed atmosphere. No gallery I know lets you stroll along eating fresh peaches accompanied by your dog. These venues seem to make people more at ease, less hesitant to ask questions, unlike the days when I sit in our co-op gallery. Why is that?

So it’s off to market - fellow watercolor painter Alec Creighton and I sharing my EZ UP tent filled with paintings, prints and copies of his book “Rebel Cows”. Each Sunday, you load up the vehicle(s) early in the morning, drive to the park with fingers crossed for a near site unloading spot, then create an inviting temporary space - all in a couple of hours. 

I've posted a photo of my booth setup. Any artists reading this, if you have a slick booth display system or layout, let me know. I’m still searching for one that has maximum display space, good flow and a near, but not too close place for the artist to be.

My goal for this year’s market is up level my visibility as an area artist. If sales happen, that’s icing on the cake, but the focus is exposure and gathering viewers.  Stop by if you find yourself in Winthrop on a summer Sunday!