Committee, artists pleased despite reduced foot traffic

Nearly 60 local, regional and nationally acclaimed artists made their way to downtown Ritzville for the fifth annual Historic Ritzville Days Western Art Show on Memorial Day weekend.

Started by the Ritzville Downtown Development Association in 2007, the art show featured regional and national artists of numerous mediums, including oil, watercolor, acrylic, bronze, pottery, recycled iron, jewelry and more.

Through the art show, the RDDA strives to create an atmosphere where artists of all skills and mediums are treated to Ritzville’s hospitality while increasing foot traffic downtown.

Organizers and artists agreed that this year’s foot traffic was a decrease from previous years, noting that a variety of factors – such as the economy, gas prices and weather – contributed to the decline.

Despite fewer visitors in downtown, participants were pleased with the show. Most sold pieces during the show, and a few noted that their regular customers have started making the trip to Ritzville rather than wait for a different show.

Participants and committee members resoundingly deemed relocation of the entertainment stage to the intersection of Main Avenue and Washington Street a positive change.

Headliner performances by R.W. Hampton and Juni Fisher on Saturday and Sunday resulted in a marked increase of foot traffic, according to the executive committee.

Also added to the list of activities was public recognition of student artists on Sunday who submitted artwork to the show committee prior to the event.

Performances by the Ritzville Community Theatre continue to draw local and regional attention, according to organizers, who established an ‘arena’ of straw bales near the main stage for several gunfights by the troupe.

Topping the activities was the presentation of Best of Show awards. Sandra Haynes of Heppner, Ore., earned the honor for her work in oil. Rick Urdahl of Cheney captured the title for watercolor while Dan Jordan of Goldendale was recognized for his work in black and white.

Gabe Gabel, who is a five-year show participant from Sagle, Idaho, received Best of Show in bronze and Julie Van Sant of Kila, Mont., was named top show participant for Other Media.

Several artists participated in quick draws on Saturday and Sunday. The artwork produced during each of the one-hour sessions was auctioned to the highest bidder within an hour of the quick draw. The artist and the art show committee split the profit from each piece 50-50.

The unique part of this show is that artists are not charged a fee to participate; however, each artist was asked to donate one piece of artwork to the show for an auction at a later date. Monies garnered at the event would fund future art shows and art-related projects.

More information about the annual show is available online at www.ritzvillewesternart.com or by contacting the committee at [email protected].