Second annual Paradise art show attracts a crowd

By Mark Squibb

Monika Behr of Arts in Paradise says the second annual He’Art’ & Soul Art Exhibit and Sale, held on July 19, was a resounding success.

Behr estimated about eighty visitors stopped by, and that all told, 23 pieces of art were sold, ranging from $20 to $250 apiece.

That’s a big jump from last year, when eight pieces were sold.

“I think having that range of pieces was very useful in making art accessible to people,” said Behr. “We had people from St. John’s, people from Mount Pearl, and people from CBS, so it wasn’t just Paradise residents coming to see us.”

Of the 11 artists selling their wares, Behr said most sold at least one piece. Arts in Paradise did not earn commission on any sales and instead allowed artists to keep one hundred percent of the profits. The only money Arts in Paradise collected from any sale was the small amount needed to cover the processing fee for pieces purchased with credit cards.

“For a number of our exhibitors, it was their first time being seen, and this intimate, small, venue made that a whole lot easier,” Behr added. “We had some people who were very concerned about putting themselves out there for the first time, so this worked out well that way, and so it was very supportive of the creators themselves.”

The Town of Paradise waived the rental fee and allowed the group to host the exhibition free of charge at the St. Thomas Line Community Centre. Behr said both artists and visitors commented on the niceness of the centre.

The committee has agreed to host the show again next year and is considering moving the date to September. They are also thinking about hosting a Christmas event, although that has not yet been set in stone.

Behr said the artists are excited to do the exhibit again next year.