Art to the Avenue
10.05.11
As a virgin Art to the Avenue-goer, (and a natural-born skeptic) I was eager to witness the effect of a boulevard-long, local art fair on a street generally devoted to high-end consumerism. I must say, I was quite pleased to turn onto the Avenue at 6 p.m. (30 minutes after the opening ceremonies began) and find a substantial strolling crowd filing down both sides of the street. Furthermore ,the crowd was rather diverse, including couples, young and old, families with strollers and gaggles of teenage girls. Undoubtedly the fine, spring weather and copious amounts of free wine affected the healthy turnout. However, with each artist I spoke to or met, there was always someone waiting in the wings with either a question or solicitation.
A few standouts include Katherine Petitti Kornel, who wisely stood outside her venue, H.H. Brown Fine Leather Goods, parading a pair of shiny gold sandals sold within. Her allegiance to her venue was genuine and the conversation had to be steered from her ravings of the store's shoe quality to discussing her artwork. Fortunately, Kornel was quite pleased with the store that chose her work and the goal of having the night be mutually beneficial was apparent in their partnership. (NB: The stores choose the artist they'd like to have show during the month-long exhibition)
Source: Patch.com