St. Charles Fine Art Fair still looking for artists

An event designed to help starving artists is itself starving for artists.

The St. Charles Fine Art Fair has attracted about 100 artists from around the county in each of its 12 years of existence. But just two months away from this year's installment, organizer Sue McDowell said the fair is a little short of the number it's used to.

"I have talked to artists all around, and with the economy, some of them are just trying not to travel so far," McDowell said. "Gas, motels, traveling, all that is part of their costs of doing business."

The fees to be in the fair and take part in the judging can top $300. However, more than $3,500 will be given to award winners, not to mention any actual art sales that take place. Last year, more than $35,000 was spent through the fair's purchase award program.

"I honestly don't think art sales are all that much down," McDowell said. "Artists are just looking at their expenses a little more closely just like we all are these days. But our show has got a really wonderful reputation."

Painting, jewelry, sculpture, photography, ceramic and glass works will be on display during the two-day show along the Fox River in downtown St. Charles.

The fair still is accepting applications from artists wishing to participate. The application is available at the fair's Web site: www.stcharlesfineartshow.com. The fair will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., May 29 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 30.

Admission is free and parking is available in nearby city lots. Tents for the fair will run along First Avenue from Route 64 to Illinois Avenue.