One hundred artists from around the country migrate to Fairview Heights, Ill., every August for a three-day art show that attracts 50,000 art lovers from the region. In its 12th year, Midwest Salute to the Masters Festival of Fine Art accepts applications only from artists who have won awards at its art fair or other prominent art fairs held throughout the nation.
The show, held this year the weekend of Aug. 27 to 29 in Longacre Park, brings national attention to southwestern Illinois and Fairview Heights. “The show gives us the most positive publicity,” says Fairview Heights Alderman Carol Warner and former director of the show. “It has brought a lot of people into the city who have a great time at the fair. They also stay in the area to eat and shop, which is good for the city’s businesses, and they leave the fair with a good feeling about Fairview Heights.” Warner served as director for the past six years; this year she’s working with the new director, Sharon Karraker, on an advisory basis.
On Friday night, Aug. 27, the fair host’s an invite-only preview party. Approx-imately 1,500 guests listen to music, sample cuisine from area restaurants and browse through the artists’ booths. The preview costs a minimum of $60 per guest; the guests receive “funny money” in the amount of $50 to purchase artists’ wares. The artists then turn in the scrip for cash. The party’s purpose is to thank sponsors and supporters of the fair. The two major sponsors are the City of Fairview Heights and Union Planters Bank. Approximately 300 volunteers donate their time for this event.
Saturday and Sunday the art show is free to the public. Highlights include a children’s Creation Station where kids of all ages can create artwork such as scarves, water-color paintings, musical instruments and chalk-art painting.
In an effort to encourage children to appreciate art or to become artists themselves, each artist exhibiting at the show donates two pieces of artwork to the Children’s Art Gallery. The gallery, for kids 11 years old and younger, offers them a chance to buy one piece of art for only $5. The child typically then visits the artist at his or her booth and receives an autograph or inscription on the artwork the child chooses. Parents are not allowed in the gallery.
The idea for the art show was formed more than a dozen years ago when former Fairview Heights Alderman Gene Ellerbush visited the Mystic, Conn., Outdoor Art Festival and realized that his city could present a similar show. A committee formed and research began on prominent outdoor art shows around the country. The first fair opened in 1988 to rave reviews from art critics and the public alike.
