Quad-Cities Spring Beaux Arts Fair Going Virtual
Davenport – In this world of virtual reality we’re all living, this year’s Spring Beaux Arts Fair on May 9-10 is also entering cyberspace.
For the first time in its 67-year history, the fair’s 114 local and regional artists will feature their handmade creations online at beauxartsfair.com. Shoppers are asked to visit the “Meet the Artists” page, where they can peruse and purchase directly from vendors.
“This will be the first time the fair has gone virtual, but it is necessary given the current situation with Covid-19,” says Beaux Arts organizer Vicki Rocker. “It’s important to us to bring some normalcy to the community even if it’s not exactly what people are used to, plus it supports the arts.”
On May 9 and 10 only, those artists who have a flower by their name on the “Meet the Artists” page on the Beaux Arts Fair website will have special offers. There are currently 20 now on the site, but more will be added every day. You can click on the icon for each artist to be directly linked to their website.
From jewelry, pottery and stained glass to fine furniture, sculpture and painting, there is something for everyone.
The Beaux Arts Fair was established in 1953, making it one of the longest-running art fairs in the Midwest. In 2018 and 2019, the fair was named one of the top 200 art shows in the country by Sunshine Artist Magazine.
For many Q-C residents, the spring fair outside the Figge Art Museum downtown has become a Mother’s Day tradition. Even though the fair will prohibit people from in-person shopping, families are encouraged to connect with one another by shopping virtually. Proceeds from the fair benefit the Figge Art Museum’s programs and exhibits.
In 1970, the Beaux Arts Fundraising Committee started up a second fair, making them one of the few bi-annual art fairs to exist. The fairs are held annually on Mother’s Day weekend, kicking off the season of outdoor summer events. The second fair is held annually on the weekend after Labor Day.
