[UPDATED: The WeHa Artists Emporium Spring Art Trail has been canceled. It was originally scheduled for Saturday, April 29, featuring the work of 17 local artists and crafters and much more.
Modern Twist Macrame. Courtesy photo
By Ronni Newton
Update, April 28
The following was posted by WeHa Artists Emporium co-founder and event organizer Julie Phillipps onFriday morning on the Spring Art Trail Facebook event page:
“It is with heavy hearts that we have decided to CANCEL the Spring ART TRAIL. Stefanie and I have been looking at all the weather apps, local TV forecasts, and talking with the artists, and we’ve decided the weather is just too rainy and unsettled. We apologize to the amazing artists who were going to participate and all our fantastic art supporters. We have invited the artists to post items for sale on the WeHa Artists Emporium Facebook Page, so keep an eye out. You may still be able to support local arts and get some amazing pieces. We are leaving the event page up for an extra day so you can get your favorite artists’s information so you can find them online. Thank you for understanding.”
Original story
The WeHa Artists Emporium’s upcoming Art Trail on April 29 will be an event celebrating the spring as a season of color and creation, and this year will also include live music at two of the locations and henna body art – as well as artisan baked goods from West Hartford’s Small State Provisions.
Stefanie Marco and Julie Phillipps – founders of WeHa Artists Emporium and co-organizers of more than a dozen art events, shared some behind the scenes information about how they put the shows together.
Julie Phillipps (left) and Stefanie Marco working. Courtesy photo
The date and venue(s) come first, and then they meet over coffee to discuss the artists, Marco said.
“We usually invite back any artist who had high quality art that suited the arts and crafts clientele,” she said. “We also consider how easy it was working with that artist. Did they communicate well? Did they help market the show? Did they set up on time? Things like that.”
Once any returnees are determined, they look for gaps to ensure a variety of mediums are represented. If there are already multiple potters, she said, they will probably look to add jewelry makers or photographers to the line-up.
“Once we have all of our artists secured, it’s time to prepare the art for marketing,” said Phillipps, who creates the promotional materials and social media posts. “Marketing is challenging. It’s hard to know how to reach people. So we rely on the artists to help spread the word.”
Julie Phillipps working o the promotional art. Courtesy photo
A calendar for the Facebook event page is created by Marco, and participating artists are encouraged to post teasers of what they will be offering at the Art Trail.
Performing artists are often part of the event, and this year musician Adam Eytan, and the band Long Island Sweet Tea, were invited by Marco and Phillipps and will be performing. Henna artist Wahida Paiman will also be participating, and there will be baked goods by Small State Provisions.
“Happy eyes, happy ears, happy skin, happy tummy,” said Marco.
The two also spend a lot of time communicating with each other, daily, about which tasks need doing and who’s going to do them. “Fortunately we work really well together,” said Marco, who noted that she and Phillipps spend plenty of time communicating with each other daily to keep track of the necessary tasks and who will be completing them. “We’re both good communicators and take initiative. We make a good team,” added Phillipps.
Art Trail patrons at a previous show. Courtesy photo
In addition to the hard work, communication, organization, graphic design, marketing skills, and people skills needed to put together an art show, art is also needed, and this spring’s show has plenty to offer. Participants will exhibit at four West Hartford sites and include:
35 North Quaker Lane
- Kindspin Design,
- WEHA Candle Company
- Einamade
- The CucuCollect
- Tree Hugger Creations
- Live music by Adam Eytan
23 Farnham Road
- Kate Lincoln Art
- Verdilune
- Handmade by Julie Phillipps
111 Foxcroft Road
- Annie Hayami Designs
- Heart Stone Gallery
- Barnard Home Crafters.
70 Ballard Drive
- Elizadolittletoday Photography
- Grace Erin Ceramics
- Kimberly Heil
- Mountain Tree Studios
- MAC Boards & Blocks
- Modern Twist Macrame
- Music by Long Island Sweet Tea
Grace Erin Ceramics. Courtesy photo
The WeHa Artists Emporium’s Spring Art Trail will be held on Saturday, April 29, 2023, from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. The rain date is Sunday, April 30. Follow the Facebook event page for updates.
“We hope people come out and enjoy all the wonderful art,” said Marco. “And all the hard work it takes to put it all together.”
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