The Community Arts Project, also known as our local arts council, has also grown and expanded since 1990. Also, under the same roof is both a Ticket Center and Visitors' Information Center chock full of interesting arts brochures and announcements, one of which highlights the upcoming Artist's Market and the methods involved in participating in the event. The selection procedure for this juried event is straight forward. Each applicant pays a small fee, sends in a portfolio of their work, and agrees to show and sell only their original work. And take heart, this market is open to any artist interested in displaying their work.
Some participants are new artists showing their work publicly for the first time.
As well, there are full-time professional artists involved, such as Mary Shelley, whose innovative work with acrylic paint and wooden sculpture has earned her entrance to shows at the Smithsonian, in New York City, as well as international art exhibits. The broad range of artistic experience and style is a distinct feature of the Artists' Market. I met with Mandi Snyder, the volunteer coordinator for the Market. Having a background in Theatre Arts Management,Mandi came to get involved in the Market when a friend at CAP got her involved. Although Mandi feels that she may not be the best judge of the visual arts, this did not stop her from appreciating the talents of the participating artists.