East Lansing Art Festival

I'm 65 years old. Sometimes I wonder how long I can continue doing art fairs. All the heavy lifting, the set-up and break down, the long hours in the booth. It's all very physically demanding. But now, after this show, I feel a lot better about my ability to continue exhibiting for years to come.

I had the privilege of exhibiting right next door to Lars Sponberg, a landscape painter who works in oils. Lars is 92 years old, but he was assisted by his much younger wife, who is only 88 years old. I enjoyed talking with them and watching them as they interacted with their customers. They were truly having a good time. Set-up and breakdown for them was difficult, but they had lots of help from members of the art fair committee,

By the end of the show they had sold 5 or 6 oil paintings, so they did much better than I did, but, as Lars pointed out, when you have been doing these shows for 54 years, you develop somewhat of a following.

Lars is an inspiration, not only because he continues to create wonderful paintings, but he continues to exhibit and interact with the public into his 90s in this crazy industry of ours.

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Comments

Lynda Wallis May 27, 2011 at 2:57pm

LOVE his imagery, color and form!
Connie Mettler May 27, 2011 at 12:40pm

I found a photo I took of Lars' booth at E. Lansing last year:
Karole Bowlds May 26, 2011 at 2:32pm

Very inspiring!!! My woes are insignificant. I hope I, too will be raring to go at that age!!
Connie Mettler May 25, 2011 at 8:42pm

Not only is Lars' persistence incredible and an inspiration, his paintings are wonderful, full of light and sense of place. I've encountered him over the years -- you should see the crowd he draws in Charlevoix at their wonderful show. Great that you got to spend time with him, John. Isn't this a great life, that we can continue doing what we love, like forever? I think I've got a photo of him in my archive. Stay tuned.
Kay Foley May 25, 2011 at 7:30pm

Thank you. I often say I'm getting too old to do this. That was a wonderful story!
Annette Piper May 25, 2011 at 5:25pm

Brilliant - I'll stop feeling sorry for myself right away!
marie johnson May 25, 2011 at 1:39pm

It amazes me to see a lot of older artist still moving about. I tip my hat off to them. I believe that if you stay busy, your life continues. Thanks for the uplifting story.
Anne Nelson May 25, 2011 at 1:14pm

A woodcarver I know "retired" form the show circuit at 86. But if he had a much younger wife like Lars, he might still be doing the shows. Yay for mature artists!!
Janet Mandel May 25, 2011 at 10:12am

92!! Inspirational to say the least!
Nels Johnson May 24, 2011 at 5:35pm

So Bill, are you going to do a blog on Reston? Let us know about the award winners. Just wondering.