A Brief History of Riverdale Art Show and Sale at
St. Barnabas Anglican Church 34th Edition 2024
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It was the enthusiasm of local artist Jenny Reid that got Riverdale Art started. Designed as a fundraiser for St. Barnabas Church, she was able to sell the idea of an art show to a somewhat reluctant church leadership. In fact, approval was only granted on the condition that the show not cost the church anything at all!
The first show took place on Saturday, June 3, 1989, and included 11 local artists. The format was established for that first show, and remains essentially unchanged. Tables and chairs are set up around the hall, in such a way that three or four rows of paintings could be displayed. Artists can show about twelve paintings, or six each if the display is shared.
Sales transactions are handled centrally by the church, who deduct a small commission, and return the balance of the purchase price to the artist. In addition, each artist pays in advance a table fee, which covers the incidental expenses of the show, the most important of which is advertising, but also including refreshments and administrative expenses. Careful management of expenses has always meant that they have been covered by the table fee, and this is what made it possible to guarantee that the first show would not cost the church anything.
In fact, the success of the first show exceeded all expectations, with 28 paintings being sold, and more than $800 accruing to church funds, to be used for special projects. The minister and wardens responded much more enthusiastically when a second show was proposed, and the show continues to receive strong support, and has become a very popular local event.
The second show also took place in June, but the decision was then made to move to a date in October, based on the assessment that many potential visitors to the show would be away, or otherwise busy in June. The October date is also likely to appeal to those who are thinking about Christmas gifts, and the show has been in October ever since. There have, however, been other adjustments to the timing of the show. To mark the tenth anniversary in 1998 the show was run over two days, Saturday and Sunday, but this format was not continued. Instead a Friday evening showing and artists’ reception was begun in 2001. This has proved very successful, and local art lovers, together with many from further away give strong support to both Friday evening and Saturday daytime viewing.
Support is also strong from local artists, and there is normally a waiting list of prospective participants. About 20 artists take part in the show every year, with a total of more than 120 over the years, many returning from year to year, with up to about 4 or 6 new artists each year. Jenny Reid, who started the show, has been in every one, and several artists have been in 15 to 20 shows.
Two of the artists married during the time they showed their art, and so have appeared under two different names. One artist was legally blind, and an indigenous artist was popular for both the quality of his work, and for the fact that he shared his lunch of curried moose with his neighbour.
Riverdale Art is popular in the community, with people watching for the signs to go up to tell them the dates, then coming in numbers to view and purchase art. The show has developed a well-deserved reputation for featuring very high-quality art at modest prices, generally in the range of $50 to $500. Total sales over the 32 years of the show have been in excess of $125,000, with some $30,000 going to Church projects and almost $100,000 to local artists. In terms of sales, 2004 so far remains the high point, with total sales over $9,000. Art is a discretionary purchase, and sales declined with the economy after 2008, but 2015 saw a resurgence with a total of about $8,000, hopefully pointing to good things to come for artists in Riverdale, and elsewhere.
However, the success of an art show should not be measured in dollars and cents alone, but in the pleasure given to the viewers and in their feedback to the artists. In these terms Riverdale Art has enjoyed continuing success, and we look forward to many more shows.
In 2019 we were shut down due to the pandemic but in 2022 we were able to resurface and have the 32nd edition. With The St Barnabas Leadership Team’s blessing The Riverdale Art Show and Sale moved the date to the first weekend of August. We also moved the Art Show into the very beautiful church which not only showcased the Stain Glass windows but also hundreds of local talented artists work. With 16 tables and 20 artists we were thrilled to say it was a success. The foot traffic was phenomenal.
In 2023 The Riverdale Art Show and Sale will again be in the church and on the same weekend as the Taste of the Danforth. Set your date for Friday August 11th, Saturday August 12th and for the first time Sunday August 13th to see 19 artists on 17 tables.
Be sure to look at the gallery by clicking the button below.
See you in August
The first show took place on Saturday, June 3, 1989, and included 11 local artists. The format was established for that first show, and remains essentially unchanged. Tables and chairs are set up around the hall, in such a way that three or four rows of paintings could be displayed. Artists can show about twelve paintings, or six each if the display is shared.
Sales transactions are handled centrally by the church, who deduct a small commission, and return the balance of the purchase price to the artist. In addition, each artist pays in advance a table fee, which covers the incidental expenses of the show, the most important of which is advertising, but also including refreshments and administrative expenses. Careful management of expenses has always meant that they have been covered by the table fee, and this is what made it possible to guarantee that the first show would not cost the church anything.
In fact, the success of the first show exceeded all expectations, with 28 paintings being sold, and more than $800 accruing to church funds, to be used for special projects. The minister and wardens responded much more enthusiastically when a second show was proposed, and the show continues to receive strong support, and has become a very popular local event.
The second show also took place in June, but the decision was then made to move to a date in October, based on the assessment that many potential visitors to the show would be away, or otherwise busy in June. The October date is also likely to appeal to those who are thinking about Christmas gifts, and the show has been in October ever since. There have, however, been other adjustments to the timing of the show. To mark the tenth anniversary in 1998 the show was run over two days, Saturday and Sunday, but this format was not continued. Instead a Friday evening showing and artists’ reception was begun in 2001. This has proved very successful, and local art lovers, together with many from further away give strong support to both Friday evening and Saturday daytime viewing.
Support is also strong from local artists, and there is normally a waiting list of prospective participants. About 20 artists take part in the show every year, with a total of more than 120 over the years, many returning from year to year, with up to about 4 or 6 new artists each year. Jenny Reid, who started the show, has been in every one, and several artists have been in 15 to 20 shows.
Two of the artists married during the time they showed their art, and so have appeared under two different names. One artist was legally blind, and an indigenous artist was popular for both the quality of his work, and for the fact that he shared his lunch of curried moose with his neighbour.
Riverdale Art is popular in the community, with people watching for the signs to go up to tell them the dates, then coming in numbers to view and purchase art. The show has developed a well-deserved reputation for featuring very high-quality art at modest prices, generally in the range of $50 to $500. Total sales over the 32 years of the show have been in excess of $125,000, with some $30,000 going to Church projects and almost $100,000 to local artists. In terms of sales, 2004 so far remains the high point, with total sales over $9,000. Art is a discretionary purchase, and sales declined with the economy after 2008, but 2015 saw a resurgence with a total of about $8,000, hopefully pointing to good things to come for artists in Riverdale, and elsewhere.
However, the success of an art show should not be measured in dollars and cents alone, but in the pleasure given to the viewers and in their feedback to the artists. In these terms Riverdale Art has enjoyed continuing success, and we look forward to many more shows.
In 2019 we were shut down due to the pandemic but in 2022 we were able to resurface and have the 32nd edition. With The St Barnabas Leadership Team’s blessing The Riverdale Art Show and Sale moved the date to the first weekend of August. We also moved the Art Show into the very beautiful church which not only showcased the Stain Glass windows but also hundreds of local talented artists work. With 16 tables and 20 artists we were thrilled to say it was a success. The foot traffic was phenomenal.
In 2023 The Riverdale Art Show and Sale will again be in the church and on the same weekend as the Taste of the Danforth. Set your date for Friday August 11th, Saturday August 12th and for the first time Sunday August 13th to see 19 artists on 17 tables.
Be sure to look at the gallery by clicking the button below.
See you in August