Rave reviews for Art by the River

Art by the River was attended well for both days of the event at The Fort Malden National Historic Site.

A popular end of summer tradition once again drew large crowds to Fort Malden National Historic Site in Amherstburg.

The 58^th annual Art by the River was held Saturday and Sunday with art and food lovers coming out to support the annual show. 

Artists, artisans, food vendors, authors, a plein air art contest, kids zone and entertainers were across the grounds of Fort Malden during the event, which is the largest fundraiser of the year for the Gibson Gallery. The gallery, located at 140 Richmond St., currently has an exhibit entitled “Melancholy Tunes” by Amherstburg artist Dennis White.

Owen Ferguson of Amherstburg perfects his masterpiece in the “Kids Zone” at Art by the River as his father Andrew watches.

Tracy Atkinson, office administrator with the Gibson Gallery, said there were 168 vendors this year, one of the higher amounts they’ve had in recent years.

“The weather is pretty good,” said Atkinson last Saturday afternoon. “The entertainment is amazing. The crowds seem pretty good.” 

Atkinson estimated about 80 per cent returning vendors and 20 per cent new vendors. She stated there were still a fair number of new entries this year.

“We have quite a few new ones this year,” said Atkinson.

Art by the River has one vendor come in annually from western Canada, she added, and some come in from the Toronto area. The bulk are from the Essex County and Windsor area.

Plein Air contest participant and 3rd place winner Klaus Salucop creates his piece on Barracks Way in the FMHS.

“Most of them are local to the area,” said Atkinson. “We’re lucky to have as much local talent as we do.”

The show has become a staple for Amherstburg and the region with the crowds being steady.

“It’s been 58 years,” she said. “It’s a tradition at this point. The venue is beautiful.”

Amherstburg resident Josef Perz was in his first year as a vendor as he brought some of his paintings to Fort Malden.

“This year, I decided to give it a shot,” said Perz. “It was nice. I would probably do it again.”

It was also a profitable venture for Perz.

“I sold two and I have a few interested parties,” he said. “It’s a good crowd. It’s a mixture of different people – young and old.”

Perz will also be part of an art show coming up at Point Pelee National Park in October.

Joe Perz of Amherstburg was one of the 168 vendors that were at Art by the River Aug. 23-24 at Fort Malden National Historic Site of Canada.

Karen Upcott of Essex said the setting for Art by the River is beautiful and she too was in her first year. The owner of Teddy Bears by Karen joked they had “bearable weather” but did enjoy the show overall.

“It’s a great atmosphere to do an outdoor show in,” said Upcott. 

Encouraged by friends to be a vendor at Art by the River, Upcott decided to be part it this year.

“I was quite surprised. It’s very nice,” she said. “I’ve never really thought about doing it.”

The venue was “a great background for a show like this,” Upcott added. She said she doesn’t do a lot of shows, but does do Art in the Park.

“The history of this show, the place where they put it, it’s a great backdrop for a show,” said Upcott. “It’s great to come out and enjoy the weather.”

Jeff Denomme of The Haunted Zoo creates a piece of live street art.

Barb Sandre brought her books on the Reaume family and was another first-time vendor. Located along the Detroit River shoreline, Sandre said there was a lot of pedestrian traffic and interest from people.

“Sales are good,” said Sandre. “My books are about the Reaume family. They settled in Amherstburg in 1796. I just figured I could come out and see if I could contact any relatives.”

Jane Cox from Wheatley-based The Open Door brought her artwork and crafts to Amherstburg. Cox said she loves the location and has been coming to Art by the River for approximately eight years.

“The atmosphere, I think, is phenomenal,” said Cox. “It’s a great venue, a great crowd.”

Cox said she goes to about six shows per year and Art by the River is near the top of her list.

“This is one of my absolute favourites,” she said.

Cox added she will “absolutely” return next year and plans to be in her same spot in “Artists’ Alley.”

Stephanie Doucet from LaSalle was one of the plein air artists competing in the contest. She said she has been to Art by the River before but not as an official participant. 

“I have been here before but I have never painted here before,” said Doucet. 

Doucet said she was part of the Amherstburg Art Crawl and has painted elsewhere in town.

“I love painting in Amherstburg,” said Doucet.

Doucet added she enjoys seeing the work of artists and artisans and the homemade work they offer to the public.

“It’s really nice. I’m having a very nice time at Fort Malden with this breeze,” she said.

The estimated crowd at this year's Art by the River is 9,500-10,000 people.

Rave reviews for Art by the River

By Ron Giofu