Sun-lit photos of 2015 Salem Art Fair

Per usual, this year Laurel and I went to the three-day Salem Art Fair on Friday -- with an evening return trip on Saturday to see a musical group. It was pleasingly warm and sunny.

We hear gripes from some Art Fair traditionalists about the current $5 admission charge, which necessitates a temporary chain-link fence around the fair.

Sure, I understand the concern about keeping citizens out of a public park for several days a year. But we don't mind paying the five bucks, and equally understand why the Salem Art Association feels the need to charge this.

Perhaps because this summer has been so unusually hot and rainless, on this Art Fair visit I was struck more intensely than usual by how beautiful the colorful booths were, illuminated by mid-afternoon sun.

This oak, towering over a line of booths, also caught my attention. Mother Nature is the greatest artist of all.

Beautiful garden art. 

I was blown away by these sculptures. Exquisite.

Seeing this booth, I had a strong urge to transport it full-blown into our back yard. I closed my eyes, visualized that happening, and tapped the heels of my sandals together three times. Sadly, the booth remained as it was.

Laurel and I loved these pieces. Colors were both energizing and calming.

Trees plus sun equals another marvelous artwork by Mother Nature.

Returning Saturday evening to see the San Francisco-based Monophonics musical group -- Psychedelic Soul, yes! -- we plopped down on a grassy slope next to a girl who looked oh-so-comfortable.

Waiting for the show to start, I was struck by how the setting sun beautifully highlighted a woman's red hair.

Later, people dancing in front of the stage got the same spot-light treatment from Mr. Sun. 

We enjoyed the Art Fair, as we always do. And we also came away with the same feelings of "we wish..."

We wish the fair had "street" (OK, path) performers: musicians, jugglers, dancers, magicians, stilt walkers, whoever/whatever. It needs a dose of spontaneity, surprises, energy. Salem has lots of talented people. Why not let them entertain fairgoers throughout the fair, while also having acts on the main stage?

And we wish the fair had more healthy, vegetarian, creative food offerings. We eat lunch before we go to the fair, because we can't find anything we want to eat there, other than snacks. Why not have a good sampling of Salem's food truck scene at the fair? 

Overall, though, the Salem Art Fair is one of this town's treasures. It fits Salem, being comfortably laid-back.

Yet since we habitually go to the Oregon Country Fair in Veneta on the preceding weekend (photos of this year's visit here), we can't avoid feeling that the Salem Art Fair could benefit from adding on some of the great features of the Oregon Country Fair -- like marvelous path performers and excellent ethnic/ vegetarian food.

Comments

[Aileen Kaye]

Thank you for the photos and commentary. We went each of the 3 days. Bought some things. Ate. (They did have a great veg Greek salad at the south food court.) We noticed that same tree and wondered if someone was living in there.

[Harry Vanderpool]

The $5.00 admission fee is a great social screening device:
Anyone that bitches about paying a measly five bucks is not someone I care to spend the day with at a cultural event.
Maybe we should set out detour signs that lead them to a bingo hall on Portland Rd.
Or a toll free number they can call on their Obama phone....

[Scanstan]

The Oregon Country Fair is great but so packed with people. It costs over 20 bucks per person compared to just give. I would argue that with the Oregon Country Fair, the music and entertainment reign supreme and the wares/crafts are less important. With the Salem Art Fair, the art and wares take center stage. People watching and the food is much more interesting in Veneta. We go to both fairs almost every year. Both have places for the kiddos. Can't beat the child care services at the Oregon Country Fair though.

I agree that the art fair should overhaul the food offerings, although I appreciate the emphasis on the nonprofits. There was a pasta place that served several vegetarian offerings (I think they're at the state fair too.) I'd welcome the food carts. Why have Jamba Juice?

The comments by Vanderpool are classist and strange.

[Harry Vanderpool]

Thank You, Thank You, Scanstan for your endorsement of my comments!

Brian has worked feverishly to "Strange Up Salem".

If he is to accomplish his goal, what is included?

Answer: What is strange to you may not be strange to me. And vice-versa.

So here are some "classist" criteria for stranging up the Salem Art Fair:

Don't let BUMS, transients, panhandlers, or freeloaders roam freely in our classy event unless they "pay skin" of the HEAFTY five bucks.

In return, we promise to not have talented artisans encroaching on campsites under the bridge.

Of course, you are entirely free to promote your own cultural event under the bridge at your own fiscal risk.

Don't be "classist" now......