Tackle it Tuesday- Gearing up for the Art Fair

Have you been to Salem’s Art Fair and Festival? If not, you are missing out on the fun. This weekend, July 16-18^th, Bush’s Pasture Park will be transform into an outside gallery with over 200 artists and craftspeople from around the nation. There are live performances, tours of the museum, good food, wines and micro brews and lots and lots of people.

I’m the volunteer coordinator for the Creative Discoveries Preschool booth in the Kid’s Court. The to do list is long, but well worth the effort to promote the preschool and see the smiling faces of kids at the fair. My hope is to someday promote a Salem Art Center there. Salem desperately needs an art based center that promotes art making of all kinds, for all ages, creates a community of sharing and instruction, and encourages Salemites to look differently at their world around them. Have I told you my “I have a dream” speech yet? Someday…

But for now, my list looks something like this:

• Put together popsicle frames (check! Thanks family for the collective effort)
• Pick up wooden medallions (check! Thanks Sarah and Clint for cutting these)
• Coordinate (read harass) volunteers to sign up (check!)
• Add stickers to the backs of frames and medallions
• Create prototypes of crafts (check! Done thanks to Little Missy)
• Pick up Volunteer Passes and coordinate pick up (check!)
• Organize supplies
• Shop for table coverings, water, and supplies for crafts (check!)
• Make check list for volunteers
• Send out volunteer reminders (check!)
• Make fabric banner to decorate booth
• Make photo display board for CDP
• Make sign for projects with ticket info
• Make container for storing tickets
• Set up booth

Because of the various volunteers scheduled, I only need to set up and cover one shift Sunday morning. I’ve worked for a year now with these parent volunteers, who are fabulous and help make Creative Discoveries Preschool, a cooperative preschool run smoothly. It’s a pleasure to work with such dedicated families.

Make sure you stop by and say hi. The Art Fair is an event that shouldn’t be missed.

Hours and Info:
Friday & Saturday, 10 am to 7 pm with main stage performances from 8 to 9:30 pm
Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm

• $5 per day, $7 for a weekend pass
• Free for kids under 12
• Free admission on Friday from 10 am – noon