The Virginian-Pilot
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What would an arts writer with unlimited means buy for herself at the Boardwalk Art Show & Festival?
On Thursday, the first day of the 54th annual show, I went on just such a pretend shopping spree, selecting 10 items that I would have loved to take home with me. With as many as 320 artists from across the country in display tents running from 17th to 32nd streets at the Oceanfront, there was plenty to choose from. I scanned jewelry and baskets and pottery, looked at paintings and sculpture and furniture.
So much to admire, so little time. Here are my selections, chosen with an eye to diverse media and a wide range of price points. (So you know, the first two numbers of the booth locations correspond to the cross streets.)
Take a stroll with Teresa as she talks to the artists who created her Boardwalk Art Show picks:
Want to go? Click for more detials on the 2009 Boardwalk Art Festival
Scroll below for more info and artist contact info.
$4,800
Artist Peter Kramer, Washington, Va.
Why I chose this piece This handcrafted, three-bottom cherry bench is Kramer's unique design, comfortable and elegant and blending Windsor and Mission styles. In the decade since he invented the form, he's only made eight.
Booth location 3106
Contact the artist (540) 675-3625, www.peterkramer.com
$675
Artist Pam Fox, Sarasota, Fla.
Why I chose this piece The sterling silver portion of this set was cast from an orchid pod and paired with freshwater pearls dyed chocolate. As jewelry goes, these have more class than flash and stand out in a crowd.
Booth location 3017
Contact the artist (941) 322-2496, www.pamfoxjewelry.com
$2,800
Artist Joachim Knill, Hannibal, Mo.
Why I chose this piece I love how Knill creates settings in his studio, sometimes incorporating himself, and takes large Polaroid photos of the scenes. For "Armor," he whitened his face with flour to resemble a mannequin in a museum diorama, donned armor of horseshoe crab shells and created a numbered guide to the love and hate sides of this creature, using handmade paper and ink he made from a black walnut tree.
Booth location 2916
Contact the artist (508) 740-5509, www.joachimknill.com
$4,800
Artist Samuel Yao, Ann Arbor, Mich.
Why I chose this piece This is one fabulous, yard-high basket, with a distinctive, low-hipped shape that veers from the traditional. For these nonfunctional, woven sculptures, Yao uses only palm flower stalks and palm seed pods he collects on the beaches and grounds of Florida.
Booth location 2822
Contact the artist (734) 657-2537, e-mail sam48103@aol.com
$185
Artist Russ Turnage, Lanexa, Va.
Why I chose this piece This carved porcelain coffee server or teapot has a fabulous texture, inspired by the bark of the Madagascar palm. The organic shape gives it a fun, animated character. Matching mugs are $26 each.
Booth location 2208
Contact the artist (757) 566-1989, e-mail russturnage@aol.com
$220
Artist Janice Gay Maker, Norfolk
Why I chose this piece This oil-on-panel painting is tightly focused on a cluster of pine tree trunks blocking a blast of morning light and creating long, lovely, blue shadows in the snow. Just looking at it makes you want to slow down and sip some cocoa.
Booth location 2618
Contact the artist (757) 353-2649, www.janicegaymaker.com
$125
Artist Linda Gourley, Dry Fork, Va.
Why I chose this piece This water-based silkscreen print is a clever homage to Pablo Picasso's "Three Musicians," a 1921 painting in the cubist style of fractured planes. Here, cats and dogs replace humans in a way that's amusing, but not too cute.
Booth location 2605
Contact the artist (434) 251-0030, www.lindagourley.com
$100
Artist Sue Lances, Staten Island, N.Y.
Why I chose this piece Lances makes wearable art that is colorful and fun but not gaudy. She creates her own chenille fabric (think '50s bedspreads) by layering, cutting and sewing, then crafts an array of festive jackets. This bolero came from her "bailout rack," which featured deeply discounted items.
Booth location 2311
Contact the artist (973) 472-1500, www.handmadechenille.com
$50
Artist Holly Hambrick, Ormond Beach, Fla.
Why I chose this piece This choice was utterly personal: I crave balance in my life, and this mixed-media collage would provide a visual mantra. (It's good to remember: The imagery in your home acts on your subconscious.)
Booth location 2224
Contact the artist (904) 677-7527, e-mail ghhambrick1@aol.com
$33
Artist Debra Adelson, Collingswood, N.J.
Why I chose this piece Adelson's most popular piece is her unique toggle bracelet design, made up of three colorful carved-acrylic pieces connected by rubber cord. It's designed to hug the wrist and be easy to put on by yourself.
Booth location 2814
Contact the artist (856) 240-1055, www.debraadelson.com
RELATED: Artists complain about minimum price at art show
Teresa Annas, (757) 446-2485, | teresa.annas@pilotonline.com
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