ArtFest attracts art lovers to Spokane’s Coeur d’Alene Park

Art of all kinds drew people to Coeur d’Alene Park in Spokane’s Browne’s Addition Friday afternoon to kick off the 32nd annual ArtFest.

The booths were lined with everything from paintings to pottery, from jewelry to metal work. A handmade T-shirt made from recycled materials, courtesy of designer Wayward Starfish, caught the eye of regular ArtFest attendee Margie Heller.

“There’s just so much wonderful stuff,” she said. “It’s almost like visiting a museum. Sometimes I don’t buy anything and just walk around looking at everything.”

But it’s rare that Heller doesn’t find something she likes. In previous years, she’s purchased jewelry, pottery and paintings. “I’ve probably bought a little of everything,” she said.

Herron Davidson was eager to try out the Montana pineapple jalapeno jelly he bought from Becky’s Berries. He’s had spicy jams before and loves them.

On Friday, he was using his day off to get an early dinner at the food trucks on site, and to browse the wares offered by artists from Washington, Idaho and Montana. He was also on the hunt for a good sculpture. “I haven’t quite found what I’m looking for,” he said.

The Falcon Forge booth attracted a small crowd of people with its collection of lamps made of vintage everyday objects, like rotary telephones, copper piping, clothing irons – even a clarinet. One lamp made out of a 1940s-era vacuum cleaner had a bottle opener for a belly button.

Artist Tim Kaufman was an ornamental blacksmith for more than a dozen years before switching to his creative lamps two years ago.

“Functional art sells better than nonfunctional art,” he said. “Everybody has room for a lamp.”

He said he never has a plan for what he will create; he just sits down with a box of bits and pieces and starts to work. He looks for things that flow together. He finds his spare parts, as he calls them, at thrift stores, garage sales and online. “A lot of it, people just give it to me,” he said.

He uses reproduction Edison light bulbs that look like antiques but are available at hardware stores.

Kaufman said he’s been bringing his creations to ArtFest for many years. “I love this venue,” he said. “The park is great.”

ArtFest is one of only three shows he does every year. “Art shows bring the best in people out,” he said. “You rarely see a grouchy person.”

Spokane history buffs will likely enjoy the Vintage Print booth run by Chris Bovey. He makes prints featuring iconic Spokane locations and businesses, everything from Manito Park to Natatorium Park to the Garbage Goat in Riverfront Park.

“They’re all the things we’re proud of or make up Spokane,” he said.

Bovey has been selling his prints at Atticus Coffee for the past five years. It takes him about a week to design and create each print. He makes between 60 and 100 signed and numbered copies of each design.

“I do a certain number of them, and when they’re gone, they’re gone,” he said.

Sometimes if there is heavy demand to re-create a print he’ll do it, but he’ll always make the background color different or make some other change so they’re unique.

Bovey made his ArtFest debut last year but is already a big fan of the event. “This is the best show we do all year,” he said.