Regarding the August 20 and 21 “Fine Art Festival” held on the grounds of the Fenton Community Center:
This event was advertised to prospective exhibiting artists as “a juried Fine Arts Festival”. I am very sad to say that what those of us who submitted slides and fees for jurying and paid an exorbitant “Fine Arts” level booth fee discovered that at best, was just another mediocre craft show, with a small percentage of actual artists struggling to compete with the high volume of craft items. The beautiful grounds and building are the absolute perfect place to host what this wonderful community expects and deserves, and what once again has been cheated out of, a true Fine Arts Fair.
What was also missing from this function was an audience, obviously due to a lack of advertising; There were many comments from the few attendees present which reflected this, such as, “We were here for the “Taste of Fenton” and just happened to see the tents”. And, “We didn’t see any signs or hear anything on the radio. Don’t you advertise for these things?”
I feel that the Kiwanis Club is doing a grave disservice to itself by misrepresenting to both this fine community and the hard working artists, who rely on the integrity of the promoters to make their livings. When I complained to the show director about the vendors selling mass produced imports and other obvious non-juried exhibitors, such as the United States Post Office, I was told simply that “This is a fund raiser”, as if that somehow excused deceiving us all.
If there is ever to be a restoration of the Fine Art exhibit that once existed here, then it must be handled by a body of people that know something art, and who care enough to at least listen to the suggestions of someone who does.
Thank you very much, Walt Badgerow Artist – Lexington, Michigan
