Volunteers Make The Fair!

Our fair would not be possible without dedicated volunteers who donate their time year after year to make Cherrywood Art Fair one of the most successful not-for-profit fairs in Central Texas. They volunteer for many reasons but it’s not always to simply help the fair be successful or to gain event experience. More often than not, they volunteer to ensure that profits from the fair continue to support Chula League’s Little Artist BIG ARTIST arts mentoring program. Unlike other fairs, profits from artist applications, booth fees, sponsorships and donations support a truly amazing after-school arts program that pairs East Austin 5th and 6th graders with professional artists. Together, they learn about, and participate in the creative process – with amazing results. You can see their work every year at the Spring Art Show or at the Cherrywood Art Fair silent auction. Many of our volunteers think that’s pretty cool and so do we!

So today, and everyday, we thank our volunteers. We are humbled by their giving hearts, support of local art and dedication to the laBA program!

Sound fun? Want to get involved? Get started here.

Have questions? Contact our FANTASTIC new Volunteer Coordinator – Carmen James at volunteers@cherrwoodartfair.org. She can answer general questions or help find the perfect role for you!

Here are few fun facts about Carmen!Carmen

  1. WHAT’s your day job?
    I’m Literacy Specialist at a Spanish immersion elementary school.
  2. WHAT’s your favorite hobby?
    I love sewing and making colorful things, and recently I’ve gotten into printmaking. I’m excited to show a few woodcut prints at the Women Printmakers of Austin gallery for E.A.S.T.
  3. WHAT are you MOST excited about for this year’s fair?
    I’m super excited to be involved in the fair this year and to get to know everyone. I’m planning to get some unique Christmas gifts for my family (jewelry? ceramics?), and I’ll definitely make a stop at the German Christmas cookie trailer.
  4. WHAT’s your favorite East Austin hang out?
    It’s a tough call, but one of them is Gourmand’s.
  5. WHAT Austin celebrity should come shop at the CHERRYWOOD ART FAIR?
    I think Willie Nelson would appreciate the artsy East-side vibe.
  6. IF you could pick any local, family-oriented act (a band, artist, musician, activity, dance team, theatre troop, etc.) to perform at the fair, WHO would it be?
    The multimedia storybook Ivy and the Wicker Suitcase by local musician Brian Beattie, which features loads of Austin musical talent, sounds pretty amazing.

Staff Interview with Community Coordinator, Cornelia Clay

Cherrywood Art Fair rolls hand-crafted art, holiday shopping, indie music and family fun into a two day event that will keep the entire family enchanted and busy, busy, busy! Stop by Megan’s fancy hair braiding booth, drop by livemom.com’s holiday craft table and do some fun activities and learn about our wonderful non-profit partners in the community area. Be sure to catch the performance by the Aerial Sugar Squirrels and don’t be surprised if you or your kids want to run off to the circus! Follow us on social media or check out the line up in late November for all the glorious details!

Speaking of activities & non-profits – we’d like you to meet Cornelia Clay – our Community Coordinator in charge of family fun!

  1. WHAT’s your day job?
    I work as an intern for an awesome start-up called Trove Market, creating editorial content and managing social media projects. I also work independently on my graphic design and web development skills.
  1. WHAT’s your favorite hobby?
    I love visiting galleries, museums and public art installations. I am always inspired to go home and create art myself.
  1. WHAT are you MOST excited about for this year’s fair?
    Since this is my first year at the fair, I’m most excited about seeing everyone engaged and captivated by the artists and their work! I’m excited to help create a space to celebrate the arts and the community.
  1. WHAT’s your favorite East Austin hang out?
    Checking out the scene at Canopy, followed closely by eating Black Noodles from Thai Kun on Whisler’s patio.
  1. WHAT Austin celebrity should come shop at the CHERRYWOOD ART FAIR?
    Richard Linklater (so I can tell him how much I loved Boyhood)!
  1. IF you could pick any local, family-oriented act to perform at the fair, WHO would it be?
    The Greenheart Creative stilt walkers, it’s so fun to challenge your perspective!

An Interview with CAF Music Bookers, Glitter Tribe

East Austin’s most beloved art fair wouldn’t be complete without a little home town music and this year it will be truly special! Please meet the 2015 Music Coordinators: Taylor and Dani of Glittertribe!

  1. WHAT’s your day job?
    Taylor: I’m an Account Manager at a local software company, CareerPlug.
    Dani: I work part time for company called Magnolia Photobooth Co. and as a cocktail server at Half Step on Rainey St!
  2. WHAT’s your favorite hobby?
    Taylor: Discovering new music, going to shows, and supporting local bands.
    Dani: Is eating a hobby? I like to enjoy new restaurants when I have the time off.
  3. WHAT are you MOST excited about for this year’s fair?
    Taylor: The music of course! And being able to shop from such a diverse group of artists
    Dani: I’m most excited about being a part of the fair this year. This is my first year on board and I’m really looking forward to meeting more creative people we have in the Austin community.
  4. WHAT’s your favorite East Austin hang out?
    Taylor: We spend most of our time working on Glitter Tribe out of coffee shops. So I immediately think of Rio Rita, Brew and Brew, Cenote, and Thunderbird.
    Dani: I really enjoy hanging out at Yellow Jacket for the food or Hotel Vegas for the music.
  5. WHAT Austin celebrity should come shop at the CHERRYWOOD ART FAIR?
    Taylor: Anyone who starred in Friday Night Lights 🙂
    Dani: If Matthew McConaughey stopped by, I wouldn’t be disappointed at all.  
  6. IF you could pick any local, family-oriented act (a band, artist, musician, activity, dance team, theatre troop, etc.) to perform at the fair, WHO would it be?
    Glitter Tribe is all about supporting women in music so because of that, we’d love to see Girls Rock Austin!

Booth Fees + Jane Finkbeiner Interview

Calling all Cherrywood Art Fair Artists: a friendly reminder that booth fees are due October 9th by 5:00 p.m.

The Cherrywood Art Fair staff starts working early in the year to bring you the best art fair in Austin. They are dedicated beyond reason and we love them like family. Like proud parents – we love to show them off, so we’re featuring team members. This week meet our Assistant Volunteer Coordinator, Jane Finkbeiner!

  1. What’s your day job?
    I work with Bookspring part time and Mom-it full time
  2. What’s your favorite hobby?
    Spending time with my family
  3. What are you most excited about for this year’s fair?
    Working with all the great volunteers and artists to make this the best Fair yet!
  4. What’s your favorite East Austin hang out?
    I’m a big fan of Paco’s Tacos on East 51st Street-the Hook ‘Em & Gringo tacos are great.
  5. What Austin celebrity should come shop at the Cherrywood Art Fair?
    Willie Nelson
  6. If you could pick any family-oriented act to perform at the fair, who would it be?
    If Willie can’t make it, I’m always happy to hear the Biscuit Brothers