For some, art is a hobby; perhaps a way to make a few gifts for friends and family and display pieces around the house. For others however, artwork is a way of providing for themselves and their families. With numerous spring events cancelled and many summer and fall events still hanging in limbo, many artists are beginning to feel the financial impact of the pandemic. The Era caught up with several local artists to see how much COVID-19 has impacted their sales and financial outlook for the future.
Kane resident and photographer Rocky Holland said he is already feeling a financial impact due to springtime shows being cancelled — an impact that may continue to have a ripple effect on the upcoming months.
“I do a lot of sales through these springtime shows, with most of those sales going back to my business,” he explained. “This income I use for framing material, mats, mounting boards, etc. Without these shows, especially the spring shows, money gets tight for supplies.”
Holland noted the “Art in the Wilds” show in Kane is his largest spring show, which was just cancelled, though he is still holding out hope for “Cook Forest Sawmill,” which is held during the summer and fall months.
“I do display in many local businesses, which hopefully will be able to open soon,” he added.
Holland specializes in nature photography and has also been featured in The Era in the column “Adventures of a Wildlife Photographer.” He is currently updating his website and hopes to have it up and running soon. In the meantime, he can be reached for photo inquiries at rocky.holland1@verizon.net.
Kane resident and owner of “Beads in the Forest”, Peggy Houser, now retired, uses beading as a full-time second career.
“Full-time beading has allowed me to have enough jewelry to display in three galleries/shops and still have enough inventory for customers at the outdoor shows,” Houser explained.
Similar to Holland, Houser has also begun to feel the financial impact of the pandemic, as outdoor shows make up about 60% of her total business income for the year.
“So far this year, all three galleries/shops are closed,” she said. “My indoor spring show was cancelled and my biggest outdoor show, Art in the Wilds, has been cancelled. Two more outdoor shows, A Stir of Artists, in Bemus Point, N.Y. have yet to be cancelled.”
At this point, as a high-risk senior, Houser said she’s not sure she feels comfortable placing herself in a crowd of people until there is a COVID-19 vaccine available, though she will continue to do what she loves.
“I will continue beading every day, since this is my passion as an artist,” she said. “However, at this point, I feel less pressure to work quite as intensely since I won’t actually need quite as much inventory for awhile.”
In the meantime, Houser hosts a Facebook page where she regularly posts photos of her work. She also has a website, www.beadsintheforest.com.
“With a bit more time right now, I am hoping to update and improve the site,” she said. “I am also in the process of opening an Etsy shop, beadsintheforest.”
As purchasing jewelry can be a tactile experience, Houser was not sure how customers would take to online purchases, though she remains hopeful.
“During the shows, my customers browse my booth, touch and try on the jewelry, gather a few pieces together while narrowing their choices,” she noted. “It’s a very tactile experience which they do enjoy. Time will tell.”
