Valley Junction Art Market And The Summer Art Fair

by Cooper on 5/17/2010 1:13:29 PMComment on this

Greetings,

Welcome to the Cooper studio, Jefferson, Iowa, on a lovely spring day. We have finally inched that thermometer back up a few degrees, possibly the garden will notice and finally start growing again?

So let me tell you about the "season opener" of summer art fairs. Valley Junction Art Market. Brace yourself, here's the tricky part, it's held by a "town" that isn't really a town. "Eh?" you say? If you look at a listing of all the towns in Iowa, you won't find one named Valley Junction, but don't tell those folks that. They like their town and they put on a pretty fine art fair. As I understand it, some years back, little old Valley Junction was overwhelmed by the thriving metropolis of West Des Moines, and the rest is history. West Des Moines continues to grow and Valley Junction, is, well, Valley Junction. I suppose when they write out their montly water bill, they have to address it to West Des Moines. Ah, progress.

But. Back to the art market. I have to tell you there were some definite moments of "oh no" syndrome. As in, why are all the patrons walking around with their hands in their pockets? By the end of the day, enough of them finally got busy with the buying of paintings that I drove home wearing a smile. And some windburn.

Are you an artist wondering if should you put this show on your possibilities list for next year? I would offer that if you live far enough away that you have to add overnight expenses, then no. If you can drive in for the morning, and back home the same night, then the friendly crew at Valley Junction Art Market is worth a shot.

Time to go find a paint brush. Oddly enough, I think I am painting pears today. And a red stripe table cover, of course. Update at eleven. Or there abouts.

Later, Cooper

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