Art on the Avenue will be different for 2020. We will not have the usual throng of 15,000+ visitors. We don’t want it this year. What we want is a steady, manageable, safety-conscious flow of visitors. And to draw them here will be the most art-centric event in the 27-year history of Art on the Avenue.
Penn Avenue will not be closed to traffic on 8/22, although some of the cross street might be. Instead, compact open tents (no larger than 10’ x 10’) will draw attention to select corners and other open spaces from Fourth to Eighth Avenues. In each tent (provided by the participants) will be a pair of artists: at least one painting, crafting or demonstrating, and one always available to talk with visitors and make sure protocols are observed.
Both artists will have displays of their work available to purchase. Transactions will be conducted by the artists.
There will be no upfront fee for participating artists–only a 10% commission to the WRCRF to help pay for the marketing!
Restaurants and retailers along the way will be invited to tie in with special offers and activities. Volunteers will keep an eye on event spaces to make sure safety protocols are being observed.
Given an active 7-hour day, it is recommended (but not required) that artists break the day into two shifts of pairs, changing the demos and displays at 2:30. The WRCRF is finalizing the locations and will accommodate as many artists as possible. If the number of applicants exceeds the available spaces, participants will be selected based on the date of application receipt, whether or not one of you can bring a tent to the show, and the nature of the artwork/demonstration to be showcased.
Artists must apply in pairs, and the deadline is Friday, August 7. See the details in the attached and email your application ASAP to [email protected].
Saturday, August 22, 2020. 11:00am to 6:00pm,
including set-up and knockdown.
The event is sponsored by the West Reading Community Revitalization Foundation, who worked with Art Plus Gallery to design an event that will keep the spirit of Art on the Avenue alive and well within the restrictions and safety measures dictated by current conditions.
QUALIFICATIONS TO PARTICIPATE
The invitation is extended to:
- Artists previously registered with the WRCRF for Art on the Avenue 2020 before the usual street festival was curtailed
- Members and Friends of Art Plus Gallery
- GoggleWorks Studio Artists
- Members of the Berks Art Alliance
- Members of other Berks County galleries and groups, by request
A number of compact show tents (no larger than 10’ x 10’) will be set up at predetermined locations along Penn Avenue. The tent must be provided by one of the artists assigned to that space.
Each tent will display artwork from two attending artists, who will conduct their own sales. There will be no fee for participating artists, only a 10% commission (on gross sales and the honor system) for the WRCRF to help defray some of the marketing costs.
Artists are encouraged (but not required) to break the day into two shifts of two artists.
SAFETY
We want this to be a dynamic, interactive event within the restrictions of prudent social distancing. Ideally at least one of the artists will be painting, crafting or offering a demo while the other makes sure visitors observe safety protocols.
Signage and volunteers throughout the area will reinforce the importance of face masks and social distancing in all tents and other areas of event activities.
MARKETING & PROMOTION
Along with your application, please send a jpg of each of yourself and/or your work that can be used in social media to promote the event.
We’re planning to produce a map detailing the locations, specialties and activities of all participating artists, along with locations of other retail activities related to the event. The map will be available online and disseminated widely and freely to all visitors during the event.
In the two preceding weeks the event will be promoted heavily in through websites, social media, emails and press releases by the WRCRF and other organizations in the Berks art community.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS:
Bring a small card table for processing sales/wrapping artwork/logging sales. Sales will have to be self- supported by artists using their own square card reader plugged into their phone or device. Due to handling another persons payment, set-ups should include sanitizer/wipes
