1991 – Woodland Christian Church Arts Fair
In operation since 1975, the Lexington Art League’s Woodland Park Arts Fair has become an annual tradition for many central Kentuckians. For many years church youth parked cars for $1 each and contributed the funds to Habitat for Humanity.
In the summer of 1989, the Christian Women’s Fellowship began selling crafts and garage sale items in the empty lot beside the church. In 1991 the group decided to tag along with the Woodland Park Arts Fair on the third weekend in August. Just across High Street, the big fair continued to grow and, in 1998, converted to a juried show. That excluded numerous artists who began seeking another venue for their art.
The first paid vendor at the Woodland Christian Church Arts Fair was tie-dye artist Dan Phibbs who paid $25.00 to occupy the front of the church lot. Another early artist was Ann and Bill Eames’, daughter Blake who spread a blanket on the grass and sold her handmade jewelry. Church members often set up a tent on the High Street sidewalk to provide cool water to people and pets while sharing literature about the festival, artists, and the church. …and chat.
Church Trustee Robert Ball was the first coordinator of the church fair, which started with a half dozen vendors and would grow to fill the lot – about 85-90 spaces. In 1999, Scotty Coon began assisting with vendor registration and getting the property ready for the event. In August of 2000, Robert turned over the reins to Steve and Scotty Coon who have coordinated ever since.
The event became a significant fund-raising project for the church and a large volunteer effort was required to set up, coordinate during the festival, and clean up. Over the past 25 years the event raised nearly a quarter million dollars toward church ministries.
In the summer of 1989, the Christian Women’s Fellowship began selling crafts and garage sale items in the empty lot beside the church. In 1991 the group decided to tag along with the Woodland Park Arts Fair on the third weekend in August. Just across High Street, the big fair continued to grow and, in 1998, converted to a juried show. That excluded numerous artists who began seeking another venue for their art.
The first paid vendor at the Woodland Christian Church Arts Fair was tie-dye artist Dan Phibbs who paid $25.00 to occupy the front of the church lot. Another early artist was Ann and Bill Eames’, daughter Blake who spread a blanket on the grass and sold her handmade jewelry. Church members often set up a tent on the High Street sidewalk to provide cool water to people and pets while sharing literature about the festival, artists, and the church. …and chat.
Church Trustee Robert Ball was the first coordinator of the church fair, which started with a half dozen vendors and would grow to fill the lot – about 85-90 spaces. In 1999, Scotty Coon began assisting with vendor registration and getting the property ready for the event. In August of 2000, Robert turned over the reins to Steve and Scotty Coon who have coordinated ever since.
The event became a significant fund-raising project for the church and a large volunteer effort was required to set up, coordinate during the festival, and clean up. Over the past 25 years the event raised nearly a quarter million dollars toward church ministries.