Christensen leads art show with community spirit
Staff reporter
She's been around since the beginning of it all when it was a small craft show in Marion City Building Basement.
Now, with Judy Christensen's leadership and assistance from dozens of volunteers, Marion's Art in the Park has evolved and grown into one of the premiere arts and crafts shows in the state.
When it began 28 years ago, Art in the Park was part of a tourism committee. Each year the group tried different things to help the event grow but was not successful.
"We tried different times of the year," Christensen said, "but nothing seemed to work."
Christensen used to be an exhibitor at the Hillsboro Arts and Crafts Fair. She knew what worked and what didn't.
"I came to a meeting and told the committee I would agree to be chairman if Art in the Park was the same day as Hillsboro's," Christensen said.
To say it was not well-received probably is an understatement.
Christensen explained her philosophy.
"That Saturday could become a countywide event," Christensen said, "where each community could offer something to visitors."
The people were here anyway so why not have them come and spend time in each community?
The group agreed to try it and it's been that way ever since.
That was 15 years ago and Christensen still is the chairman.
As a former exhibitor, Christensen said she knows what exhibitors want and need to have a successful show. With that in mind, exhibitors appreciate the location of the fair in the park and don't want that to change.
"Exhibitors and visitors like the shade and the booths more spread out," Christensen said.
The group has talked about using more space in the park for more vendors. Currently there is space for 200 vendors but bigger isn't always better.
"Instead of having 20 people selling jewelry, we prefer to have more variety," Christensen said.
One rule that is maintained by the group is to require all merchandise to be handmade.
Christensen also is proud of the fact that all food vendors are local people and groups.
"For some groups, having a booth in Art in the Park is their biggest moneymaker for the year," she said.
So the formula for success has been perfected — for now.
"We continue to grow," Christensen said. "It's worked out for both Marion and Hillsboro."
