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     The Elkhart For the Love of Art Show was held on March 12, 2016. This show is held in the Elkhart RV Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame is located not far from the Elkhart City limits. It is also right off of the I 80 Indiana Toll Road which makes it very visible to people coming from the toll road or from Michigan.

     The RV Hall of Fame sits in the center of a huge open area. There were signs along the road in Michigan and near the Hall of Fame announcing the art show. They weren't huge signs but if you were looking for the show the signs did tip you off that you were near the show. There was also one of those tall flags at the drive into the Hall of Fame to catch people's attention from the road. There was plenty of parking for shoppers close to the building as well.

     The Hall of Fame was a great building to use for the art show. Artists could actually drive right inside the building to load in their booth and art work. They did have to arrive early to do that but it would be well worth it if you work an art show all by yourself or have heavy equipment or art work. There was plenty of space for each booth. None of the booths looked small at all.

Shireen Cline is the show's producer.  Shireen has been working so hard to put on a great show.  I have bumped into Shireen at several shows this past year.  She has been attending shows to observe what each show was doing to put on a good show.  Shireen is bubbly and energetic.  Her enthusiasm is infectious. 

     Shireen had about 50 top notch artists lined up for her show.  No category was top heavy.  There were several artists that were demonstrating their art work during the day.  One man was weaving the most beautiful Mexican rugs.  A glass blower was demonstrating how he blew glass pieces.  There was an artists drawing caricatures for shoppers. 

     AFI member Monica Langowski actually finished painting one of the cushions for the sofa above that Shireen is sitting on during the show.  I don't know how she did it.  I noticed the cushion was not finished as I visited her booth earlier in the day.  When I came back later it was done and Shireen posed for a photo on the sofa.  Monica told me that she was also chosen to display this sofa in one of the showcases in the Merchandice Mart in Chicago for the new Spring One of a Kind Show in April.  What a great opportunity that will be for her.

     Shireen had 5 top decorative artists and 5 top functional artists chosen from all of the exhibiting artists.  Of those 10 one artist received a free booth in next year's show.  Shoppers also entered their names in a drawing when they arrived to the show. 

     There were several great door prizes for shoppers that were given away later in the day.  There was also a children's drawing.  One little girl won a free week at art camp from the Elkhart Art League. 

    Soft music was playing for the enjoyment of shoppers who needed a little break.  It was a great place for artists or shoppers to also take in a little lunch.  There was only one food booth at this show.  The food was not meant to overshadow the art at this show. 

     I did notice shoppers with packages as they left the hall.  I think the artists would have liked a larger crowd at this show.  I don't know why there weren't more.   It was a fairly warm Saturday for March.  I suppose people may have been taking advantage of the warm weather.  After talking with Shireen I know she tried to cover all the bases to get shoppers there.  She personally told me she spent quite a bit on advertising.  I even saw her at the Garage Sale Art Fair in Kalamazoo in February handing leaflets out for the show.  Sometimes shows take a few years to develop a following which may be the case here.  However, I do think this show is going to continue to build and get better with each year.

      The opportunity was there for artists to have larger booths if they wanted them.  This hall was easily accessible for wheelchairs, too with no steps and wide walking aisles. 

      The artists all seemed very friendly and were more than happy to talk about their art work.  That added to the intimate atmosphere of the show.  Another nice thing about getting into this show is once you jury into this show you will always be invited back.