ARLINGTON — Children thronged the collaborative canvas at Legion Park, standing shoulder to shoulder to apply their own choices of colorful paint patterns to their respective segments of the otherwise open white space.
Not counting these enthusiastic amateur artists, the Arlington Arts Council’s annual “Art in the Park” show drew 27 artist vendors, and between 500-750 attendees, Sept. 13-14.
Roberta Baker, an arts council board member who chairs the annual art show, noted that a number of prospective vendors are hesitant to take part in a smaller event such as “Art in the Park.”
“The band Cherry Cherry had a lot of followers who came in that Saturday,” Baker said. “We also had a few new artists, including a pottery gal. At least a couple of them have already asked us to put them down for the same spot next year.”
Baker reported more positive verbal feedback this year.
“I heard from all sorts of people that it was a great show with great music, which is more important to me than having more vendors,” Baker said.
Baker is already considering how next year’s “Art in the Park” might build on this year’s participation.
“The beer and wine garden was new this year, and it broke even,” Baker said. “We weren’t able to get donations of beer and wine, but we were able to buy them for a good cost, so we’ll probably do that again next year.”
By contrast, the poker run leading up to the weekend art show was a bust.
“Our goal was to bring customers to our downtown businesses,” Baker said. “You could visit five stores to collect five cards, and the winning hand would receive the grand prize. Only one person participated. We won’t be doing that again.”
Baker and her fellow arts council members are soliciting suggestions for new features for next year. Baker would like to promote the show with banners across Olympic Avenue, and is wondering whether a scavenger hunt might drive up interest.
“You could look in each of the vendors’ booths to find items, and the first to find them all would in a prize,” Baker said.
In the meantime, the arts council’s annual auction is set to return to the Gleneagle Country Club Saturday, Oct. 18.
“This is our big fundraiser for the year,” Baker said. “It’s where we generate the funds to buy art for the city.”
Tickets may be purchased for $35 each at Flowers By George, at 335 N. Olympic Ave. in Arlington.
