It was Held in the Washington State Convention Center on February 19th through February 23rd from 9:30 AM to 9:30 PM. Every year, NWSSA staffs an Educational booth on the sixth floor, and has taken two, annual, first prize awards for best booth. We didn’t even know there were awards at the time. The allowed area is 10’ x10’; the challenge is how to best display what we do.
The theme of the booth this year took a different look. Over the ten years that I have participated, one of the craziest questions that I have been continually asked is: “I know how to utilize 2-D works of art in my home but I just don’t understand how to use sculpture or where to put it. How do people use sculpture in their own homes or businesses?” Now, to you and me, the answer would be obvious! But I started to think about it. They like what we do! But they have to spend time they don’t have, thinking about it or often feel that only an interior decorator is suppose to be able to place sculpture. So why don’t we show them?
I tackled the idea of bringing a sculpture display in the form of a living room setting. Now remember, the booth space is only 10’ x 10’. My wonderful husband created an artificial mantel and fireplace for us, we had a loveseat, coffee table, fancy rug, and other accoutrements like one of Leon White’s paintings hanging above the mantel. Of course, there were plants, real and sculptural. The display is not a sales booth, but we are allowed to quote the prices to individuals who inquire. And there are many inquiries. And last year, we sold 4 sculptures by getting buyers in contact with the artists. So sales do happen!
Really big pieces aren’t permitted on the sixth floor because of weight restrictions. If you are interested in showing larger pieces in the future, contact the large garden displayers; they are often looking for sculptures.
Some of this years participants were Jim Heltsley, Bruce Salisbury, Bob Olander, Nancy Green, Linda Baasch, Sharon Feeney, Tessa Brown, Tom Francis, James Neal, and myself. The sculpture presented was figurative, abstract, animal and a fountain. Twenty-three pieces were exhibited.
Next year I’ll meet the deadline asking for volunteers. If you haven’t attended this show, do. It is an incredible show and placed number two in the nation last year. And it is a BLAST! You meet the nicest people at the show! It’s very rewarding because people really respond to what we do. It is the biggest recruitment tool that our organization has. Many of our members first met us there.
A final thought. I read the other day that when the economy is not doing well, people buy art. We sometimes forget that sculpture done in alabaster that is 2000 years old is still being dug up in Egyptian tombs. Art can last a long time. However, not many paintings are dug up that are intact. Sculpture only increases in value. It is something that can become a family treasure that is passed from generation to generation. Through this booth I hope that we can teach the public this lesson and that sculpture can be an integral element in their lives and homes.
