Beekman Street Art Fair draws hundreds to Spa City
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. » Once again, the Beekman Street Arts District was filled with activity for this year’s annual Beekman Street Art Fair.
Hundreds of people gathered to see the 60 juried artists’ booths throughout the day where they could admire and purchase paintings, pottery, photography, woodworking textiles and other artwork. Attendees also enjoyed live music throughout the day and various culinary options that were available.
The festival held live music presented by the Ballston Spa Community Band that included an open mic for young performers and performances from locals, such as the local band Gadget and musicians from Mostly Modern Music Festival.
There were also several culinary options available at the event from five food trucks and fare from neighborhood organizations, the Princepessa Society and the Elks Club.
In a press-release, mixed media artist Juliann Gessler said, “The Beekman Street Art Fair is the heart and soul of the Saratoga arts scene and welcomes new, emerging artists and established artists of all genres to gather to celebrate the arts. It is a community event like no other bringing together local neighbors and visitors in a festive, art and music-filled environment. I am very excited to be participating this year.”
One of the vendors, Dina Cuomo, the owner of Elektra Jewelry Design, was attending as a vendor for her first time this year, but had came previously as just an attendee. Cuomo said, “It’s awesome. One of the best shows I’ve ever done.” Cuomo has been making hand-made jewelry for 20 years.
Another one of the vendors, Leonie Lacouette, owner of Leonie Time, has been attending the Beekman Street Art Festival since its start and has been selling her handmade clocks at the show. Lacouette has been making clocks for more than 35 years and enjoys showing off her designs at the fair each year.
Martha Starke, a vendor and owner of Petal People Press, uses flowers and herbs from her garden that she grows every year and presses herself to make beautiful art.
When describing her art and how she makes it, Starke said, “I grow everything in my garden. I start in the spring, grow my whole garden and press in the fall. I pick and press and then I have flattened botanicals to work with and I make these designs. Nothing is painted or drawn, it’s all botanicals for every part of the design.”
Starke has been coming to the Beekman Street Art Fair for the past two years and has been pressing flowers and making art her entire life. Starke said, “I love Beekman Street, the people are really friendly and it’s a fantastic show.”
The Beekman Street Art Fair is produced by the Saratoga Arts District, Inc, which is a nonprofit organization, and funded by the Community Arts Grant award from Saratoga Arts. The Saratoga Arts’ Community Arts Grant has been made possible with funding from the New York State Council on the Arts with support from New York State Gov. Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature.