Spring Beaux Arts Fair Returns to Davenport Fairgrounds This Weekend

The 68^th bi-annual Beaux Arts Fair returns to the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds, 2815 W. Locust St., Davenport, on Saturday from 10 a.m.

The Beaux Arts Fair (held annually each May and September) benefits the Figge Art Museum exhibits and educational programs.

to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The fair is free to the public and is held rain or shine each May and September. The Beaux Arts Fund Committee, a non-profit group of volunteers, donates all proceeds to the Figge Art Museum to fund exhibitions and educational programs. No commissions will be charged.

The last spring Beaux Arts Fair was held in May 2019 at the fairgrounds – when it moved there from outside the Figge in downtown Davenport, because of flooding that spring.

During that art fair, the committee canvassed the patrons and the artists about the location. There were overwhelming positive comments by both the patrons and the artists to continue at the fairgrounds, committee member Cathy Bodine said this week.

Among the 110 artists selling work this weekend is Bettendorf potter Sally Gierke.

“After several months of discussion, the committee decided to hold the spring art fair in 2020 at the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds, but remain at the Figge for the fall art fair,” she said. “When

The Beaux Arts Fair is Saturday and Sunday at the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds, Davenport.

Covid hit, the fairgrounds told us they would move our rent payment to 2021. With that, we are at the fairgrounds this weekend. The fall art fair will be at the Figge.”

There are 110 artist booths at this weekend’s fair, with approximately 75% from the Q-C region, Bodine said.

The first 68 children who go to the information booth on Saturday will get a take-home craft, and the first 68 moms who go to the information booth on Sunday (Mothers’ Day) get a gift from a local artist.

The fall Beaux Arts Fair is scheduled for Sept. 11 and 12, 2021 at the Figge’s Bechtel Plaza, 225 W. 2^nd St., Davenport. For more information and a complete lineup of artists, visit www.beauxartsfair.com.

Jonathan Turner

Jonathan Turner has been covering the Quad-Cities arts scene for 25 years, first as a reporter with the Dispatch and Rock Island Argus, and then as a reporter with the Quad City Times. Jonathan is also an accomplished actor and musician who has been seen frequently on local theater stages, including the Bucktown Revue and Black Box Theatre.

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