Event attendees taking a break with some art next to the Willamette River at Keizer Rapids Park. The first ever Keizer Riverwalk Art Fair ways held from Aug 9-11. 
Artist Michelle Myers at her booth purveying her watercolor paintings. 
Artist Brigitte Miller posing with Anne, who bought the painting pictured at the art fair. 
Artist Elisa Mack with her animals prints at the Keizer Riverwalk Art Fair. 
Artist Brigitte Miller, who painted the Heritage Center mural, at her booth. 
Artist Sam Hoskins presenting his various paintings inside his booth. 
Tinja’s Workshop, a place for custom wooden crafts and furniture. 
Artist Connie Abell at her booth containing realistic paintings. 
Artist Shylah Meyer with her various prints and drawings. 
Artist Satdesha Jones at his booth with a selection of his painted 3D wooden art pieces. 
Artist Jonathon Hanamura at his JAM pottery booth. 
One of the muscians set up throughout the riverwalk providing tunes to attendees.
The Keizer Art Association held its first Riverwalk Art Fair last weekend, Aug. 9-11.
The fair was held at Keizer Rapids Park along with KeizerFEST. It featured works by 31 artists from across Oregon.
The participants showcased a variety of media including three types of jewelry, fused glass, stained glass, walking stick carving, watercolors, colored pencil, acrylic, beaded wind chimes, analog maze art, tie dye clothes, wood spirits, oil paintings, pet portraits, layered wood landscapes and block prints, and pottery.
The project was sparked by Lore Christopher, the art association board chair.
“The association has wanted to do an art fair for about 10 years, and I have been a champion for that effort. I always felt like Keizer had the perfect location in our Keizer Rapids Park to put on an event like this,” Christopher said. “I have always had a passion for artists as small business owners and entrepreneurs,” she said.
The fair allowed artists to set up booths to display and sell their work.
Christopher saw the event as a win in several ways.
“We have provided a venue for small business artists to sell their art, we have brought visitors from out of town into Keizer to shop at our merchants, eat in our restaurants, stay in
our hotels, and we have brought a new facet to our reliable KeizerFEST event,” she said.
Brigitte Miller, who had a booth to display her acrylic paintings and other works, was pleased with the event.
“We had great weather all three days and a good turnout, especially on Sunday. I think it’s a great idea for Keizer to have an annual art show showcasing all Oregon artists,” she said.
Miller added that she plans to attend every year.
Christopher said the fair will be an annual event, and 28 of the 31 artists this year already have booked spaces for next year. The art association hopes even more artists will participate.
With thoughts of expanding, the association has already secured a food truck offering coffee and sweets in the morning and lunch from Valor Mentoring. The event will also have two continuously running shuttles courtesy of G & S Machine.
Christopher called the first venture a success.
“It truly was rave reviews from all of the customers who I shuttled on Saturday and spoke with,” she said. “They thought it was much larger than they anticipated and the customers were very complimentary and purchased art.”
The only drawback for some attendees was the heat.
“We are looking at a Plan B for next year if the weather exceeds 90 degrees for the three days,” Christopher said.
Overall, such events are a boon for the city, according to Christopher. “This is exactly what Keizer needs. We need to be locally focused on these types of events that help local small businesses and at the same time bring outside folks into Keizer to see all that we have to offer,” she said.
Contact Quinn Stoddard
[email protected] or 503-390-1051
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