Plenty of passion goes into annual Art in the Park

POLSON — About 90 vendors shared their love for painting, pottery, furniture, jewelry and more during the Sandpiper Art Gallery’s 39th Annual Art in the Park Saturday on the lawn of the Lake County Courthouse in Polson.

“We’ve been doing it for 39 years, so a lot of the vendors have been coming for a long time, some for 18 years or more,” event coordinator Margie Hendricks said. “Word just gets around and they know about the festival. You get a great variety.”

Coordinated alongside the Mission Valley Cruisers’ Cruisen by the Bay car show, finding a spot to park in town was a challenge on Saturday afternoon.

“I’m sure that helps,” Hendricks said. “A lot of people came through.”

Besides the many talented local artists who contributed to the event’s success, Michael and Roberta Crowley were one of a few out-of-staters. They traveled all the way from Mariposa, Calif. with their hand-crafted furniture.

“It’s just amazing how positive people are about the courthouse lawn,” Hendricks said. “They like the environment, being on grass, there’s a lot of shade. It really makes a big difference.”

The event raises funds for the Sandpiper’s many scholarships, which benefit local students going to college and majoring in the arts.

“Next year will be 40 years,” Hendricks said. “We’re really grateful to the town’s commissioners for letting us do this every year. It’s just a great community thing where a lot of people benefit.”

Other organizations, like the Rotary Club, Lions Club and the Episcopalian Church provided concessions like pork and beef sandwiches, tacos and lemonade. Those groups each earned money, which went to their own local charities.

“Then there are some people who have been coming for a long time and when they started, they weren’t that good,” Hendricks said, citing the example of Ma Brown Robbins, of Hot Springs, who paints wonderful western art and wildlife on slate. “She’s gotten so good over the years. That’s kind of neat to see how our own local artists develop.”