This past weekend I attended the first ever Art School Fair in Ottawa. It was an art materials trade show, but it was great fun. The vendors were from the manufacturers themselves, so they all knew their products well. They were able to demonstrate and answer questions, and in many cases you had the opportunity to try the products before making the decision to buy. Some of the vendors even handed out samples. What they were really good at was getting you inspired to try new things.
The admission price was just five dollars, which was waived if you signed up for one of the many courses available. I didn't do that this year, mainly because the ones I was most interested in were fully booked by the time I found out about the show. The event was a great success though, so I hope I can get in on at least one of the classes next year.
As this is the first year for the Art School Fair and because it went so well, hopefully they will find ways to expand it in coming years. I am very sure they will do it again, and I am also sure I will attend.
I certainly came home with more than my entrance fee in samples. I got a PITT Artist Pen, some watercolour dip dots from Daniel Smith, a nice little bag with 6 products from Golden, plus a beautiful t-shirt I will be proud to wear. I also purchased a new journal in support of the Ottawa Art School for another $5. It is divided into right brain and left brain sections. A quiz inside tells me I'm definitely Left Brained, which kind of confirms my theory that I'm not all that creative.
Did this trade show do it's job? Yes, indeed. I came out of there knowing about products I had never heard of before, and plans to try them. I want a water soluble graphite pencil. More than that, I want some Daniel Smith Watercolours. They have granules in them that create interesting textural effects and I'm already dreaming up ways to use them. I also am very interested in the Mixed Media products by Pébéo. Yes, I'll go again next year, and every other chance I get. Great show!
The admission price was just five dollars, which was waived if you signed up for one of the many courses available. I didn't do that this year, mainly because the ones I was most interested in were fully booked by the time I found out about the show. The event was a great success though, so I hope I can get in on at least one of the classes next year.
As this is the first year for the Art School Fair and because it went so well, hopefully they will find ways to expand it in coming years. I am very sure they will do it again, and I am also sure I will attend.
Did this trade show do it's job? Yes, indeed. I came out of there knowing about products I had never heard of before, and plans to try them. I want a water soluble graphite pencil. More than that, I want some Daniel Smith Watercolours. They have granules in them that create interesting textural effects and I'm already dreaming up ways to use them. I also am very interested in the Mixed Media products by Pébéo. Yes, I'll go again next year, and every other chance I get. Great show!
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