RIO GRANDE ARTS & CRAFTS FESTIVAL
Feature Story
Buying a piece of art – be it a piece of jewelry, or a painting or a photograph – is one thing.
But buying it from the artists themselves adds a whole new dimension to the piece. It makes that bauble or wall hanging come to life with a story of its own.
That’s at the heart of the 30th annual Rio Grande Arts & Crafts Festival, which begins this morning (Friday) and runs through Sunday at the EXPO New Mexico’s Lujan Exhibit Complex.
“People like meeting the artists and makes people appreciate what’s there because they can talk with the artists about how they created their work,” said show organizer Ruth Gore. “I think that’s the big difference about something that you buy from somewhere else. When you go to an art show, you can find something you like for art for the wall or jewelry or whatever and when you talk to the artisan, they can tell you exactly how they made that piece of jewelry or photograph, where they were and what they had to do to get that particular photo.”
It’s those stories that add immeasurably to the intrinsic value of a piece, she said.
“The artists all have stories to tell about how they created the work,” Gore said. “It makes the work that much more enjoyable and meaningful for the person that purchases it and has it in their home. You appreciate it that much more.”
The artists themselves appreciate that interaction with the buyer, as well, said jeweler and silversmith Liz Huffman.
“Because for a lot of them, they’ll be looking for something that catches their eye and then I get to talk to them about it” she said. “I can tell them about the stone, and the creative process and how I got there.”
When show attendees ask questions, it means they’re interested in the process and see the work as more than just another decoration.
“What’s really cool is when people are interested, it’s more than just buying a piece of jewelry,” Huffman said. “They can understand the process, the kind of stone and what it sits on, how the stones are done.”
Further, it means the piece will have a deeper meaning for
the purchaser.
“Also, it’s rewarding for me when someone is that interested,” she said. “I know it’s a piece that someone is going to enjoy wearing. It’s not going to just get thrown into the back of the jewelry box.”
Huffman has been doing the show since year one, and sees no reason to stop since she has continued to see success.
“That’s why I continue to do them,” she said. “It’s good exposure. The Rio Grande on average is my best show every year. I’ve been privileged because I did start with her from the very beginning.”
Gore, who is also an artist, has been the heart and soul of the festival, although she started it as something of a lark those three decades ago.
“I was always interested in being in shows and started entering in shows, and I thought it would be fun to put one on,” she said. “I didn’t think it was going to be that hard. Once you do one show, you’re already six months planning and already into the next before you can quit. It’s really been a lot of fun. It’s fun to create an event that people enjoy.”
The event serves both the public and the artists.
“Without the artists, we don’t have a show,” Gore said. “It promotes the artists and gives them a place to showcase their work that’s successful and that is really important. It’s become harder and harder to sell original artwork or crafts because of everything you have to compete with.”
It’s fun for the customer to browse through the nearly 200 booths that include an array of mediums, even local food, she said.
“We try to create an atmosphere that’s fun,” Gore said. “It’s a family atmosphere so people can come out to enjoy spending the day. Have a bite to eat, listen to the local musicians, maybe get a margarita.”
The artists certainly appreciate the effort Gore puts into the festival to make it a success.
“Ruth has been an amazing promoter and an organizer,” Huffman said. “She really looks out for her artists. She bends over backwards to be as accommodating as possible. She tries to put on a quality show that the family can enjoy. There’s an artists’ creation station where kids can make their own art. She really tries to make it a fun event. From the ground on up, she really built it into the classy show it is.”
It’s a juried show, meaning each of the artists has to be accepted by a selection panel. But it’s also a show where just about anybody will be able to go home with something new for their home.
“We encourage artists to carry a range of prices so that any customer that comes in can walk away with something,” Gore said. “Art should be accessible to people.”
The show will include everything from “functional clay, sculptural clay, woodworking, even furniture, metal sculpture, glass blowing, jewelry, photography, water colors, oils, mixed media,” she said. “And a lot of different styles. We also always have 25 new artists each show so there’s always something different that people seen.”
Some of the proceeds of the event go to support Casa Angelica, Gore said. Casa Angelica, which was founded in 1967, is a South Valley home for medically fragile and profoundly disabled children and young adults. It is owned and administered by the Canossian Daughters of Charity and operated by professional licensed staff with support from volunteers.