The Art Fair at Queeny Park

SOLD! Glad to see this gal going to a good home.

So much gratitude for all the patrons, family, and friends that came out to The Art Fair at Queeny Park this weekend!! Thank you so much for all the love, support, and encouragement! It was a beautifully successful art show!!

Thank you to all patrons and artist for a fantastic show. We wish to see you again this next spring, April 5th - 7th. Follow us and check the website (www.artfairatqueeny.com) for updates.

Queeny park all weekend 1st to the 3rd

Congrats to Alison Bozarth. Best in show queeny park art fair 2023.

Congratulations to Bob and Nancy who added the bronze ”Votary of the Rain” to their art collection today

Thank you The Art Fair at Queeny Park for the honor!!

The Art Fair is open today until 4:00 pm. Come out and see us!!

Wow, what a wonderful surprise when I arrived at my booth this morning at Queeny Park Art Fair! Thank you!

Stop by if you are looking for something fun to do today. We are open until 4pm.

And that’s a wrap! Thank you to all who came out and supported Art Fair Queeny Park! We were overwhelmed with all the positive feedback and support. Stay tuned for the spring fair in 2024! Until then remember to support the arts and shop small.

Today 11AM - 4PM

More winners!
Come on out today!

Congratulations to all our award winners!
We are open 11-4 today. Come out and see us.

LAST DAY!!!
Today 11AM - 4PM

Need something to do with the kiddos today? Bring them out to Art Fair Queeny Park for some art appreciation. They will learn about art and the process artists take and you will have time to see, appreciate, and purchase any art that trips your fancy. Today from 12-4.

EARLY GSLA and ART FAIR at QUEENY PARK HISTORY
The Greater St. Louis Artists (GSLA) has a rich and long history that goes back many years, possibly to the period preceding World War II. I (Ed Kowalski) joined the GSLA predecessor the St. Louis County Art Association in January of 1974. Like today, the organization was highly active, boasting a membership of well over 100 individuals. At that time our monthly meetings were held at the Kirkwood Community Center, with Emilee Felknor serving as the President.

Throughout the decades, the organization sponsored numerous art fairs of significant importance. Among the notable events the organization supported was the Art Show at Greentree in Kirkwood, MO. This event had been a fixture in the area for many years prior to my arrival in Missouri in 1973. However, the St. Louis County Art Association relinquished its management of the Greentree Art Fair in the mid-1980s, returning control to the City of Kirkwood. This event continues today.

A similar organization, the West County Artists' Association, which was established in the late 1960s by Peggy Carnes and a circle of her artist colleagues, played a role in the Art Affair at Westport for several years. In 1976, this association organized a Queeny Park Art Fair, an outdoor event, although this particular Art Fair was a one-time event and not well-remembered but paved the way for future activities.

In July of 1977, under the guidance of Fred Garbotz and LowAnn Neinreiter, the St. Louis County Art Association, following extensive negotiations with the St. Louis County Parks & Recreation Department, launched the inaugural Art Happening at Queeny Park. This event achieved immediate success, drawing an estimated attendance of 20,000 to 30,000 over the weekend according to park rangers. The first year featured 204 exhibitors from various states. Subsequent years witnessed the event's refinement into a nationally recognized showcase for artwork quality and artist amenities. After a few years, due to scheduling conflicts with the St. Louis Symphony Summer Pops Program, Art Happening was rescheduled to Labor Day Weekend.

In 1983, I assumed the role of President of the St. Louis County Art Association. This got the ball rolling on a new Art Fair. Following my tenure as president, I remain engaged in the Art Fair committee and launching a second show in 1985 at Queeny Park: The Missouri Spring Festival of Art. While similar to Art Happening, this new show featured one notable distinction. Juried members of the St. Louis County Art Association were exempt from the show jury process. The rationale was that these members, having achieved juried status within the association, were automatically qualified for entry into the Spring Show. This privilege remained in place until the mid-1990s.

Simultaneously, other changes were in motion. Two art associations, the St. Louis County Art Association, and the West County Artists' Association, shared similar objectives and a considerable overlap in membership. Some members of both groups believed that consolidating resources would enhance effectiveness at that juncture. This initiative was spearheaded by Peggy Carnes and myself (Ed Kowalski).

With approval from both boards, a new art show took place at the Clarkson-Clayton Shopping Center in the mid-1980s. This open show ran for two consecutive years, with jurying requirements waived for members of the two sponsoring organizations. The intent was to facilitate friendly interaction between the two groups. Joint meetings between the boards were encouraged. The result was the establishment of the Greater St. Louis Art Association (GSLAA) in 1988. This newly formed entity aimed to carry forward the commitments and traditions of its parent organizations, leveraging their combined strengths.

Subsequently, the management of the two art fairs at Queeny Park transitioned into the hands of the Greater St. Louis Art Association. The names of these fairs underwent a few changes before settling on the simple "Art Fair at Queeny Park."

More recently, the organization's name was shortened from “GSLAA” to "GSLA."

ANNOUNCEMENT....Both the Spring and Fall 2021 Art Fair at Queeny Park have been cancelled. The Greensfelder Complex is undergoing a huge remodeling which will be done by the end of this year. We look forward to returning in the Spring of 2022 with a renewed energy, a wonderfully updated facility and the MOST AMAZING ARTISTS!

See you in 2022!

In the mean time please visit www.artfairatqueenypark.com to stay up to date.

Spring and Fall 2021 Shows Cancelled

We hope you are doing well and have had a great start to your 2021 year.

In November of 2020 the art show committee was informed that the Greensfelder Recreational Complex at Queeny Park will be undergoing extensive renovations beginning the first part of this year and continuing into late summer 2021. As a result, GLSA and its Art Fair At Queeny park committee have canceled both our Spring and Labor Day shows for 2021.

Although we are disappointed to have to make this decision, we are excited about the new facility and what it means for our future art fairs. We will send updates as needed.

Have a great 2021!

Lee Richards, Maggie McCarthy & Kathy Craddock
Art Fair at Queeny Park co-chairs

FALL 2020 SHOW CANCELLED

Artists and Art Patrons,

As you know, GSLAA holds a spring and a Labor Day art show every year. This year has been quite different. It has been incredibly challenging for everyone due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Art shows are about one thing, a one to one interaction between patrons and artists to form a connection or to reconnect. We have a family friendly, indoor show, with lots of hands on activities, artists to meet, wine & cheese to taste. All the good and positive things that we love about our show are things that are to be discouraged at this time.

Given the current social climate and the predictions of a possible resurgence of the virus, the co-chairs and committee feel that we would not be able to hold the high quality art show that our patrons and artists have come to expect. Therefore, it is only after careful consideration and a great deal of sadness that, the art fair co-chairs feel it is in the best interest of all involved to cancel the Labor Day weekend show for 2020.
We hope that the spring show 2021 will be time of renew and reconnection so stay tuned….

Maggie, Kathy & Lee
Art Fair co-chairs

THE ART FAIR AT QUEENY PARK: FALL SHOW CANCELLED

Artists and Art Patrons,

As you know, GSLAA holds a spring and a Labor Day art show every year. This year has been quite different. It has been incredibly challenging for everyone due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Art shows are about one thing, a one to one interaction between patrons and artists to form a connection or to reconnect. We have a family friendly, indoor show, with lots of hands on activities, artists to meet, wine & cheese to taste. All the good and positive things that we love about our show are things that are to be discouraged at this time.

Given the current social climate and the predictions of a possible resurgence of the virus, the co-chairs and committee feel that we would not be able to hold the high quality art show that our patrons and artists have come to expect. Therefore, it is only after careful consideration and a great deal of sadness that, the art fair co-chairs feel it is in the best interest of all involved to cancel the Labor Day weekend show for 2020.
We hope that the spring show 2021 will be time of renew and reconnection so stay tuned….

Maggie, Kathy & Lee
Art Fair co-chairs

SPRING ART FAIR AT QUEENY PARK CANCELLED

(ST LOUIS/March 13, 2020) - After careful consideration, the Art Fair at Queeny Park scheduled for April 3-5 has been cancelled due to growing concerns about the spreading of COVID-19. This was an extremely difficult decision, but the well-being of our attendees, artists and staff is always our top priority.
“We apologize to our loyal participants and supporters,” said Maggie McCarthy, chairperson. “This was a hard decision to make, and we are erring on the side of caution. We have a great community of supporters in St. Louis and the bi-state area and we look forward to seeing everyone at our Fall show this Labor Day Weekend September 4-6.”

Our Fiber Art offerings this year are incredible.

Wearable or woven - if you appreciate textures and undulating tones, you'll want to visit these artists during our weekend fair this spring. Here's a sneak peak from 2 of our 13 fiber artists displaying this year:

Betty Shew - find her on her website -http://bettyshew.com/

Jean Vogel - find her on her website - http://www.vogelpix.com/

Digital Art encapsulates an artistic work or practice that uses any form of digital technology as part of its creation or presentation process and we’re thrilled to have multiple digital artists attending this year.

One of our artists - Michael Plurad Art - is based in St. Louis and describes his work process as follows:

“My work begins as a drawing in a sketchbook, which is then scanned into Photoshop. I then digitally ink the work, adding hues, highlights, shades and textures.”

Find him on Facebook @ Michael Plurad - Illustrator & Designer !

JURY IS IN SESSION...Artists applications are being reviewed.

The judges are working hard to select the very best local and regional artists for the spring Art Fair at Queeny Park.

Mark your calendars now for April 3-5, 2020.

TODAY IS THE LAST DAY TO APPLY

CALL FOR ENTRY - ART FAIR AT QUEENY PARK

2020 Spring Application Deadline TODAY...January 15

Application deadline is here for the spring 2020 Art Fair At Queeny Park. If you have not already done so, we encourage you to submit your entry NOW! Start here...

https://www.artfairatqueenypark.com/application.html

The fair is held inside the spacious, climate-controlled Greensfelder Recreation Complex in Queeny Park, Ballwin, Missouri (a suburb of St. Louis). The park address is 550 Weidman Road, Ballwin, MO 63031. Free parking is provided for artists and customers.

Applications Deadline: Today January 15, 2020

Jury results notification: Feb 1, 2020

Booth Fee Deadline: Feb 25, 2020

Artist set-up: April 3, Friday - 9 AM to 4 PM

Show Hours: April 3, Friday - 5 PM to 9 PM

Show Hours: April 4, Saturday - 10 AM to 6 PM

Show Hours: April 5, Sunday - 11 AM to 4 PM

We hope to see your name and work on the roster of accepted artists.

Sincerely,

Maggie McCarthy, Kathy Craddock & Lee Richards
Art Fair At Queeny Park Co-Chairs