The Old Town Art Fair, a blast from the past...

It was an honor to be a judge and juror at this year’s Old Town Art Fair in Chicago on June 9 and 10. Considered one of the most prestigious in the country, the Old Town Art Fair has endured for over 50 years. The original judging for acceptance into the fair took place two months prior at the offices of a Lakeview architectural firm. The updated on-line technology used for the judging process, made the review and scoring procedure seamless and easy. I and the other jurors met again at the actual art fair in progress on Saturday, June 9. We scored the participants in three main areas: Basic Art Design, Technical Skill and Exhibit Impact. I was truly impressed with the technical skill level and beautiful aesthetics on display in the Photography, 2D Mixed Media and Digital Art categories assigned to me.

It was a blast from the past and a full circle of sorts for me personally. Some forty-five years ago, I accompanied my father, Gary Scott, who exhibited at the very same art fair. He was a sculptor and a painter, although he would only show his figurative sculptural works at art fairs. From the age of about 6 or 7, I would often sit with him at his booth at various Midwest art fairs, including Old Town. Acting as his “assistant,” it allowed him to take bathroom breaks without him having to leave his booth unattended.  I considered it a great responsibility, and fantasized about making an actual cash sale for him in his absence!

Although he passed away in 2008, I couldn’t help but feel his spirit as I walked along the hundreds of artist’s booth, making my notes and inputting my scores. It was another great responsibility, and I felt it was somehow honoring his memory as well.

Above: my father, artist and designer, Gary Scott, second from the right. Circa 1985, Florida, USA.

Above: random snap-shots from the art fair.

Above: the Old Town Art Fair Executive Committee and some fellow jurors later in the day.