Last weekend’s Coupeville Arts Festival was very well run, according to local artist JOAN BROSNAHAN. “It was one of the largest crowds I’ve seen,” she said, “better than average. And Artists in Action gave people a chance to meet the artist and talk about techniques and subject matter.”
I went early, around 9:30 on Saturday morning, when it was cloudy enough to be comfortable and before the sun broke through. It was a real pleasure to move freely from booth to booth. I’ve done the festival when people were shoulder to shoulder and perfect strangers exchange body hugs without asking permission.
Vendors were excited and optimistic. I didn’t observe any coolness toward those who were “just looking” but did overhear vendors’ describing their wares, how they are made and answering questions from the public. I talked to a few vendors by phone Saturday night to get their take on day one.
People stopped, browsed and some bought DAN ISHLER’s signature pottery. He owns Ishler Pottery, in close proximity to the latest patch of road work on Highway 20 into Oak Harbor. The small studio is at the top of a long driveway with plenty of parking space.
I asked him how he did. “It was OK,” Ishler said, “nothing great. It got kind of cool Saturday afternoon and there were fewer people.” If you missed him at the festival, try to make the studio tour in September.
To Ishler and other vendors who want to keep the festival alive for years to come, paying the $100 booth fee and 15 percent surcharge is just a good investment.
MARYON ATTWOOD moved to Coupeville from Connecticut two years ago. Her display held stacks of square clay platters made of flame ware, specifically for use in the oven. They are truly unique. You cook and eat on them.
“It was fun talking to people and explaining what the platters were and why they should have some,” she said.
“Sales were not my primary goal,” she said. “For my first show, Saturday was a wonderful day and I got lots of great feedback.” Her Web site at www.maryonattwoodstudios.com is a work in progress, but will be worth waiting for.
Some of the simplest items were among the most popular. With prices near $20, people mulled over which words they wanted on their garden stakes (such as “miracles” and “relax”), stepping stones and other one-of-a-kind pieces of home and garden art created by JOHNATHAN and JANDELLYN WARD of Winfield Designs, Coupeville.
“Business was better on the first day than last year,” said Jandellyn. Her husband has been in the business for 10 years, and they have worked together full time for the past three. They recently built a garage shop to turn out more of what people want on their private patch of green.
Their 10-week old son MATTHEW slept through the day, closely watched by his cousin ALLI.
After about two hours, everyone wanted a cold drink and something to eat. Nothing fussy. The reality is that to reach the food vendors, one had to return to the main parking lot in the field, where you probably left your car two hours before. People with bad knees and those who only walk to the mailbox didn’t relish walking back, uphill, against arriving crowds and baby strollers.
I’m all for bringing food vendors back to the Recreation Hall parking lot. It was so convenient. I observed a couple of cranky kids begging daddy for water or “snack.” It’s been said that Coupeville restaurants object to having food vendors move back into town. It’s just 14 hours one weekend a year. I think the food vendors would see more profit too, and after all, part of that is returned to the festival operating fund.
One more thing. Taking an Island Transit bus to the heart of the festival was a brilliant idea. Too bad visitors from around the region had to endure long lines of cars creeping down side streets to the large field and a parking spot. I hope they all got home OK and that they’ll come back next year.
Lee hooks ’em
I was among those applauding LEE YOUNGBLOOD’s selection last fall as Navy Leaguer of the Year. She is a great representative, is on the staff of the Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce and even works the Island County Fair this week.
This smart woman knows the value of taking time to play. She recently visited daughter PAM MARTIN and her husband BILL in Helena, Mont. Early in the day, they put their boat in at Canyon Ferry Lake, trolling near the lake’s edge, just beneath a cliff.
“The limit was five each and we limited out, “ Lee said. “It was great fun!”
She caught a 3 ½ pound, 19-inch trout on the first line of the day. “It was hot, but we stayed in the shade and cooked our catch on the barbecue the same day.”
And I should mention, Lee and Pam earlier attended a convention of professional and amateur cake decorators in Omaha, Neb. Over 1,800 people came from over 17 countries. “This was my 21st consecutive International Cake Exploration Society convention,” Lee noted.
Season falls away
Lawns are brown, falling leaves will soon be mulch and flowering plants are done for the year. I resolve to sit in the shade and commit these last days of summer to memory so I can replay them in January.
Write to me at www.lifeonwhidbey@yahoo.com or call 675-6611.
