For the 57th time, arts and crafts lovers came to Amherstburg for one of the area’s best shows.
Art by the River, the biggest fundraiser of the year for the Gibson Gallery, was presented at Fort Malden National Historic Site of Canada, with 175 vendors selling a variety of different goods. From artists to authors and from crafters to children’s activities, there was something for everyone.
For Amherstburg author John Schlarbaum, it was a chance to meet his readers and sell copies of his new book “The Diary of Death,” its prequel “The Groom Wore Red and some of his other titles.
“I’ve made lots of sales,” said Schlarbaum. “People are very excited about the new Amherstburg-based book.”
Schlarbaum said he always has good sales at Art by the River, but a new book usually leads to even more purchases from customers.
“When the show opened, six or seven people came over to buy my new book,” he said. “My loyal fans are definitely coming to pick it up.”
For Randy Lauzon and Ben Recker from Rustic Flame Metalworks, it was a return visit to Art by the River.
“We’ve been out here for the last three years,” said Lauzon. “It’s nice, there’s a view of the water. It’s beautiful.”
Rustic Flame Metalworks does about four or five shows per year and plan on returning to Art by the River next year.
“It’s something local,” said Lauzon. “We’re from LaSalle.”
Recker added they see familiar faces but new people stop by their booth as well.
Paul Dunn from Paul Dunn’s Fine Art reported a steady crowd but wished more people would have flowed near the parade square where he was located on Fort Malden’s grounds.
“It’s been good,” he said. “I’ve made a lot of contacts and handed out a lot of cards.”
Dunn’s drawings and paintings were popular with those who dropped by. He said he does about eight shows per year and hopes to do more after he retires from his full-time job.
The Windsor resident said it was his second year at Art by the River and said he usually gets more sales on Sundays. He said the people he meets make the shows worth doing. Dunn travels as far as Dresden, Sarnia and Chatham-Kent to do arts and crafts shows.
“I love doing these festivals,” he said.
Louanne Ribble of Kingsville and her Coaster Creations were also set up on Fort Malden’s grounds. She said she has been a crafter for about ten years and at least eight of those as a vendor at Art by the River.
“It’s one of the nicest shows I do,” said Ribble. “There are nice people and great weather.”
Ribble added she does about 15 shows per year, less than what she used to do.
“I’ve cut down,” she said.
The fact Art by the River is on the water and well attended were some of what Ribble enjoys about the show.
“I like the organizing part of it,” said Ribble. “There are a variety of vendors.”
Pieces of the Past, owned by Meg Reiner and Kara Folkeringa from the Marsh Historical Collection in Amherstburg, were pleased with how things went.
“It’s been good. It’s nice and busy,” said Reiner.
Reiner and Folkeringa were in their first year at Art by the River and Folkeringa said it was their fifth craft show since January.
“We’re fairly new the market scene,” said Reiner. “A lot of people are taking our business cards.”Reiner added they are getting requests for custom orders.
“We take something from the past and turn it into a new item,” said Reiner.
Folkeringa added the weather was good and the turnout great.
“It’s nice there are more people out to support the arts,” said Reiner.
Rita Casagrande from Baked by Rita was in her second year of selling her baked goods at Art by the River.
“It’s a really good variety of vendors,” said Casagrande. “It’s really good here. A lot of people look forward to it.”
Casagrande said she was looking to do shows she had never done before and that’s how she ended up at Art by the River.
Karen Clarke and her booth From the Willow came in from Belle River for Art by the River. It was her first year there, as Clarke said she’s usually on vacation when the show happens. She added she learned of the show through word-of-mouth and decided to try it.
“It’s very well organized,” she said.
Tracy Atkinson, office administrator from the Gibson Gallery, was pleased with how things went.“It’s going pretty well,” she said Saturday afternoon. “The weather is beautiful. We sold out all of our vendor spots.”
The 175 vendors was about as high as they could go.
“We can’t fit much more than that,” said Atkinson.
The fact Art by the River has been running for 57 years means it has attracted a following.
“People know it’s coming and they look forward to it,” said Atkinson. “It’s a summer tradition.”Most of the vendors were from Windsor-Essex County but Atkinson added some came from places like Orillia and Peterborough.
“They like the venue. They like the atmosphere,” she said. “They love the people.”
The children’s area was refreshed this year with Scouts and Girls Guides operating much of it. Student employees from the Gibson Gallery – Emma Laframboise and Caydence McLennan – were also helping young artists.
“It’s good. We’ve had quite a few kids,” said Laframboise. “It’s been a very popular place.”
Art by the River celebrates its 57th year
By Ron Giofu
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