Carlee WrightUPDATE: Salem Virtual Art Fair extended until 9 p.m. Sunday, July 26
Salem Virtual Art Fair is a “celebration of community, resiliency, and above all, a love of the creative spirit.”
Although the Salem Art Fair & Festival has been canceled, the Salem Art Association is keeping the spirit of this annual tradition alive with a virtual event that aims to engage and support artists and the community.
Just as going to the Art Fair is an experience, SAA aims to make their virtual event an experience as well. Through an interactive interface, ‘attendees’ can access all the major art fair festivities. Peruse the Artists’ Booths and Bush Barn Art Center Galleries. Learn about art styles and techniques in the Demonstration Area. Experience a variety of entertainment on the Main Stage. Explore youth activities in the Kids’ Court.
Browsing’s a breeze. The Artists’ Booths area showcases the work of 126 artists in 14 different media and is divided by category (as seen in the image above) — 2-D, fiber and fiber wearables, jewelry, glass metal and sculpture, wood, cottage crafts, photography and painting. The Bush Barn Galleries are also featured with those artists listed in alphabetical order. Plus, there is a digital catalog containing all artists included in the fair.
Be entertained. The Main Stage highlights well-loved local entertainment and will feature performances by Salem favorites Kristen Grainger and True North, and Rich McCloud, as well as some brought to you by CET and through the video work of CCTV, plus readings by The Mid-Valley Poetry Society.
While the fair is generally SAA’s summer fundraiser, there is no fee to participate, for visitors or vendors. Furthermore, this virtual venue presents exhibitors opportunities beyond the fair’s usual 35,000 annual attendees, while providing a unique, safe space to support the arts and some much-needed support for artists, many of who rely heavily on fairs and festivals to sell their goods.
And although virtual, it truly provides a sense of what you would find at the Art Fair, but there’s no need to worry about parking or getting too much sun. Just sit back (feel free to wear your jammies), grab a cuppa (your choice on whether that’s coffee or beer) and browse. See you at the fair!
Attend the Virtual Art Fair:
Visitors can join on their phone, iPad or laptop by going to SalemArt.org and clicking on the portal to enter the Virtual Art Fair. The event will be live for 36 hours, from 9 a.m. Saturday, July 18 to 9 p.m. Sunday, July 26.
The Instigator
