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From the February 2006 edition of Sunshine Artist Magazine

Used by permission of Sunshine Artist Magazine. Reproduction without the express written consent of Sunshine Artist is unlawful.

Shoshana Matthews

October 8-9, 2005, Port Warwick Art and Sculpture Festival, Newport News, VA Contact: Denise Olsen, Executive Director, PO Box 120648, Newport News, VA 23612, phone 757-369-3014. E-mail: pwartfest@cox.net. Web site: www.pwartfest.org Application fee: $25. Space fee: $150-$300. Space size: 10x10 to 10x20. 100% outdoors. Exhibitors: approx. 100. Hours: 10-6 Saturday and Sunday.

Musicians prepare to play while patrons stroll the booths of the Port Warwick Festival. (Photos by Merrilyn Prucha.)

This first year show has the potential for becoming a spectacular art show. Unfortunately Tropical Storm Tammy had other plans for the weekend. She came, she saw, she certainly conquered!

Eight inches of rain on Saturday on top of all day rain on setup day (Friday) made for a very flooded show. In spite of all this water the die hard art supporters were still out on Saturday doing their part to support the arts. Some of us actually made some sales. Sunday had mostly drizzles, but the mud was still ankle deep and discouraged a lot of shoppers from coming out. Many of the artists still had an acceptable day. I have no numbers, but 2 jewelers said they had a good show, a photographer and an acrylic artist were satisfied with the numbers, I did an acceptable show. A few artists had a terrible show - a jeweler with $80 in sales, a painter with no sales. But almost all the artists are willing to try this show again next year in spite of slow sales.

Dedicated art-show shoppers brave the rain at Port Warwick

The executive director and her committee of volunteers had 12 months to put together a brand new show and they did a bang up job. The show is in a park in the community of Port Warwick, a new community within Newport News, VA. The residents were determined to help make this show a success and volunteered in droves.

There were volunteers to help with setup - including unloading vehicles and setting up tents. There were volunteers Saturday and Sunday to bring drinks, food, booth-sitting. There were volunteers Sunday to haul stuff back to vehicles, dismantle tents, or whatever else was needed. Legions of volunteers. All eager to do anything to help the artists, including buying art.

Saturday's show had to be closed at 3 in the afternoon because of all the rain. That meant the awards party also had to be cancelled. Not to be stopped by the weather, the committee and judges came around to the booths Sunday to present the awards individually and to feed us. Lots of food, brought to our booths, with drinks, and more food. A gourmet spread worthy of any high class restaurant. Judging was also in top form; not only judges with impressive credentials, but awards in every category (which meant that fiber artists and sculptors weren't competing with 2D artists for the same award). The organizing volunteers outdid themselves in establishing very extensive sponsor support in the community and as a result there was some $10,000 in awards as well as the lavish amenities.

If I sound enthusiastic about the show, I am. The setup was impressive, the enthusiasm of the volunteers was catching, and the whole atmosphere was uplifting. This show has great potential for becoming a landmark art show in the area. A few glitches need to be worked out, but that's to be expected in a first year show. But they were minor. The organization and execution of this show was quite impressive and this artist is looking forward to doing it again next year, hopefully minus the tropical storm!