The reason? The third annual Affordable Art sale sponsored by Paducah Renaissance Alliance. Coordinator Nikki May predicts the same huge turnout that the event has experienced since its inception two years ago.
There was some concern in the beginning.
“Some people thought we were cheapening art,” May explained. “But we wanted to make the point that art is accessible and no matter what your income is, there’s something you can buy.”
So how affordable is “affordable art”? Some pieces in the show will be sold for as little as $25. Slightly higher are prints by Lower Town artist Freda Fairchild, an exceptional buy considering Fairchild’s identity and reputation in the arts community.
You can expect to pay more, of course, in some cases up to about $500.
All of the pieces, which include prints, oil paintings, ceramics and jewelry, are by Paducah artists. The list will be announced later. However, the sale will be a meet-the-artist event, giving buyers the opportunity to chat with the participants.
Adding to festivities will be complimentary hors d’ouevres by Artisan Kitchens and wine tasting from Glisson Vinyards.
May developed the affordable art concept three years ago with Jessica Perkins, who was involved in the project the first two years. Currently, May is the sole coordinator.
May loves to draw, so much so that she is never without a notebook. Before moving to Paducah eight years ago, she had a 10-year career as creative director for IBM’s innovative center, a job that mandated numerous staff meetings.
“At every meeting, when everyone else was taking notes, I was drawing,” she said. “I always have a notebook with me, and if I sit still for more than two minutes, I am going to be drawing.”
Her fold-out notebooks are included in the show. She is also a web designer, graphics designer and creator of fine art. She is in charge of the writing and graphics for iList Paducah, a web site she founded with Mary Thorsby that now counts 7,500 email subscribers and 10,000 viewers a month.
Given the opportunity to admire and buy fine art at affordable prices, the show is a major Lower Town event.
May said the sale is “like a party. It’s probably the best-attended event I’ve seen here. It’s jam-packed with people, which is wonderful to see.”
The sale will be 5 to 8 p.m.
Affordable Art Sale
A partial list of participating artist:
Amy Taylor Nolan
Andy Eller
Anita Rodriguez
Barbara Clark
Bill Renzulli
Char Downs
Charlotte Erwin
David Lucht
Harvey Sadow
Jerry Oliver
John Hasegawa
John Romang
Julie Shaw
Keyth Kahrs
Lily Liu
Michael Terra
Mitch Kimball
Nikki May
Paul Lorenz
Shand Stamper
Stefanie Graves
Steve Hecklinger
Susan Sadow
Tracey Buchanan
BiLan Liao
