Beaux Arts Fair returns Mother’s Day weekend
The spring Beaux Arts Fair returns to Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds (2815 W. Locust St., Davenport) on Saturday, May 11 and Sunday, May 12, Mother’s Day weekend.
This is the 71st year of the Beaux Arts Fair, so the first 71 mothers to stop at the information booth will receive a small gift, according to a Thursday news release. All attendees are invited to explore 80 booths showcasing handcrafted artworks spanning photography, jewelry, pottery, stained glass, fine furniture, sculpture, and more created by artists from all over the country.
Items at all price levels will be available for purchase. Admission is complimentary, and food and drinks are available for purchase. All proceeds from the fair generously support the Figge Art Museum’s educational programs and exhibitions throughout the year.
As a juried fine arts and fine craft fair, awards will be presented in several categories including a $250 prize for Best of Show and a $50 prize in following categories: Clay, Drawing/Printmaking, Fiber/Leather, Glass, Jewelry, Mixed Medium, Painting, Photography, Sculpture and Wood.
“We are proud to bring together a diverse array of artists, offering attendees a chance to explore a wide range of artistic expressions,” Beaux Arts Committee president Linda Hardin said in Thursday’s release.
“This event is a testament to the vibrant arts community in the Quad Cities, and we’re delighted to support the Figge Art Museum’s ongoing commitment to art education,” she said.
The Quad-Cities Woodturners will be doing a demonstration on Saturday, May 11. Fair hours are Saturday, May 11 from 10 a.m.–5 p.m. and Sunday, May 12 from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Save the date for the Fall Beaux Arts Fair at the Figge Art Museum’s Bechtel Plaza on Sept. 7-8, 2024.
The fair was established in 1967, making the Beaux Arts Fair one of the longest-running art fairs in the Midwest. Fair attendance and artist participation expanded on a yearly basis. In 1970, to celebrate the new Wiese addition, the Beaux Arts Fundraising Committee started a second fair, making them one of the few bi-annual art fairs.
The fairs are held annually on Mother’s Day weekend, kicking off the season of outdoor summer events. The second fair is held annually on the weekend after Labor Day.
In May of 2001, the Beaux Arts moved the fairs downtown while the new Figge Art Museum, was being built. In September 2008, the fairs moved back to the museum grounds. The Beaux Arts Fundraising committee continues to donate all proceeds from the fairs to the Figge Art Museum for programs and exhibitions.
The spring fair was moved to the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds in the spring of 2019 due to the major flooding of downtown Davenport. Artists and patrons enjoyed the move with easy parking and little traffic congestion, according to the fair website.
The committee polled the artists and patrons about permanently keeping the spring fair at the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds. With that polling, it was decided to continue the spring art fair at the fairgrounds in northwest Davenport.
For more information, click HERE.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com.
