Artists Say Market is Looking Up

Festival-goers took to Rinconada Park this weekend for The Palo Alto Clay & Glass Festival where about 150 artists displayed their work. 

Artists from throughout the region displayed their artwork hoping to make a sale. Some found customers in today’s difficult economy, while others are exploring selling art after the job market tanked.

For the most part, they were hopeful that they are seeing signs of the economy picking up.

“Palo Alto people really seem to have a real appreciation for art,” said Liz Burkhouse, a ceramic artist putting some finishing touches on her “Chikin Sandwich" on whole wheat, a ceramic caricature of a chicken between two loafs of ceramic rye bread. “This show has been really good, so I am hoping it is pointing to an uptick in the economy,” said Burkhouse.

Jan Wax, a potter from Mendocino, also expressed optimism in today’s market.

“We actually make a living, such as it is in this economy, making and selling pottery,” said Wax with a laugh. She and her husband were able to find old customers and even find some new ones.

“We always like to come down here to Palo Alto, because it is a very educated group of people who come; the collectors are very educated, and they know what they want,” said Wax.

Other artists at the fair found themselves in new territory.

“With the exception of one indoor show in 1980 or so, I have never been in an art fair,” said Phyllis Pacin, an artist who does raku-fired tiled hangings. Raku is a distinct way of firing ceramics whose origins are from Japan.

“Because of the recession, things have really slowed down … I decided this would be a good opportunity to sell some artwork,” said Pacin.

It's a strategy that could work and that other artists have found successful. 

“I sell mostly wholesale … but when the economy went down, I started doing more of these retail craft shows,” said Mayauel Ward, an artist at the fair that has a focus on art glass.

“It took up the slack, and now I am at the point that I need to cut back on doing retail so I can concentrate on the wholesale, because the wholesale has picked up.”