The caliber of the artists and the diversity of their works, combined with an ideal setting and gorgeous weather drew tens of thousands of art lovers to the 64th annual Under the Oaks Fine Arts and Crafts Show at Riverside Park, hosted by the Vero Beach Art Club.
Each year it appears the previous year would be hard to top, but each year they manage to do just that. One hour into the show’s opening Friday morning, every parking spot in the paved lot was filled, as were at least half the spots on the grassy field. Organizers estimated upwards of 90,000 people would attend the three-day show, one of the largest events on the Treasure Coast.
The reputation of Under the Oaks draws top artists and savvy buyers alike, drawn by the knowledge that all works are original, not manufactured, and they’re shown by the individual artist, not a representative.
“It’s a huge tourism draw,” said Christina Tascon, VBAC manager. “Not only do our artists stay here three or four days at a time, but many people come from outside the area and make it a weekend.”
A total of 220 artists, including some VBAC members, were selected from a worldwide applicant pool of more than 700 artists by a dedicated committee, chaired by Alicia Quinn. Fifteen percent of booths are always reserved for Art Club members, who are juried against their fellow members.
Lionel Ogilvie, show manager, is the brains behind the challenging job of striping the field for tents in the show, carefully fitting displays and booths along the winding pathways and majestic oaks.
“It’s his birthday; he forgoes his birthday every year to work the show, from before daybreak to after the sun goes down,” said Tascon. “We really couldn’t do this show without him.”
“It’s going to be very challenging to come up with the winners,” said Patrick Dragon, a nationally known ceramic artist and educator, and one of three UTO judges. “There’s a lot of good art here; it’s a good show. It’s so educational to come out here. I try to take some time to speak with every artist, and at every booth I learn something new. Keeps it fun.”
The show charges no admittance fee, but many visitors dropped a few dollars into donation jars at the entrances which will benefit the Vero Beach Art Club Scholarship Fund, which annually presents up to five college scholarships.
“That’s great, because we travel around and do the shows and there’s not a lot of young people coming up behind us,” said Jodi Causey, wife of artist Scott Causey, whose vibrantly colorful ceramic animal sculptures sparkled in the sunshine, beckoning to passersby.
Proceeds from Vero Beach Art Club fundraisers go toward arts and crafts supplies at elementary and middle schools and the City of Vero Beach Recreation Department, and toward underwriting Summer Art Camp classes at the Vero Beach Museum of Art.