Economic artistry

E.L. Art Fest brings business downtown, supports new artists

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The smell of barbecue and the sounds of celebration rose from downtown East Lansing as the streets were packed with people and white tents. East Lansing’s 46th annual Art Festival brought artists from across the country to the city. From photography, painting, pottery to piano, the community came out, with an estimated 70,000 in attendance despite the state’s economic slowdown.

Operating with a tighter budget, festival organizers were pleased with the turnout, which provides a boost for the city’s businesses.

Crafting a financial plan

The festival had to cut about $5,000 from its funding this year because of a lack of sponsorship and grant reductions. Each year the festival has had to face funding cuts and organizers estimate next year they will cut more than $12,000.

“We begin planning for next year now that this year is over,” said Corinn VanWyck, arts program coordinator for the festival.

VanWyck and a group of volunteers had to make up for the lost money by reaching out to members in the community.

“For the first time this year we’re asking people to give donations,” she said.

The free festival included live music, booths for artists and a food court of local restaurants.

“We don’t really have an expendable income,” VanWyck said. “We don’t have room to tighten the belt much more. We ask the community to come out and help us and we had a response to that. Time is going to tell for this year if we made it.”

Economic effect

VanWyck estimates the festival brings in $2.2 million to the city annually.

“We have an estimated 70,000 to 80,000 people coming to the area,” she said. “We usually have hundreds of artists with their entourage as well.”

Mike Bergsman, front office supervisor for the Marriott at University Place, 300 M.A.C. Ave., said the art festival is always a busy weekend for the hotel.

“The art festival does bring in a lot of people; it always does,” he said.

Local residents came out for the free fun and to peruse both artist booths and local stores.

“I come out every year and get amber jewelry,” Lansing resident Patti Akley said.

Akley, Erik Swanson and their daughter Isabella Swanson, 3, enjoyed the free music on Saturday afternoon.

“I like to see so many people out listening to the music and looking at the art,” Akley said. “It’s really great to see and it’s just so fun.”

Expanding artistry

The festival is not only a venue for artists to display their work, but a place for young artists to develop their craft. Both the Emerging Artist Program and the Matt Epling Creative Arts Competition are geared toward young artists.

“It’s an opportunity to just foster the next generation of artists,” VanWyck said.

The emerging artist program gives recently graduated or current art students an opportunity to present and sell their work. They apply for the position and receive a free booth.

“This is my first time showing in a festival, but I’ve been to a lot of them,” said Ashley Behringer, an art student at the Savannah College of Art and Design in Savannah, Ga. “I think any festival that lets artists display their art is wonderful.”

The Matt Epling Creative Arts Competition was established in memory of Matt Epling, a former student of MacDonald Middle School, 1601 Burcham Drive. The award is geared toward middle school students.

Supporting artists

A large portion of the money generated at the festival goes to the artists.

Eric Strader, a potter from Goshen, Ind., said this is one of the many festivals he attends each year. He has a home studio and one in downtown Goshen, where he hand-throws pots.

“About half of my income is from summer festivals,” he said.

Both the artists and the festival’s organizers seemed optimistic about people supporting the arts.

“It’s not as bad as I thought it was going to be,” said Geoffrey Ehnis-Clark, chairman of the board of directors for the festival.

“Most of our sponsors have been very generous, and we’ve gotten a lot of donations. It has been more of a difficult part of this year’s festival.”

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