Much anticipated festival returns to Littleton Aug. 25

By Steve Graham

Artist Lisa Diámor Sánchez wants everyone to own original art. That goal is much more attainable at the Affordable Arts Festival in Littleton, where every piece costs $150 or less.

“I love that it makes art accessible to everyone,” said Sánchez, who returns to the festival this year with her mixed-media art. “I believe that everyone should have original art, it’s magical and this show opens that door. I’m so thankful to be a part of it. I’m looking forward to seeing all my friends and collecting more art.”

The festival is a one-day event unlike any other festival in the country. More than 165 artists all over the country offer top-quality art in a wide range of media. Festival director Jim DeLutes said some of the art is originally valued at up to $4,000. The festival will include painting, glass, clay, sculpture, metalwork, photography, mixed media, fiber and wood.

“Artists love the high-energy buying that happens at the Affordable Arts Festival,” he said. “They love being swamped with excited buyers who are purchasing faster than the artists can keep up.”

The opening of the festival can feel like a Black Friday shopping frenzy. DeLutes said about 4,000 people waited for the gates to open at last year’s festival, and rushed to their favorite artists’ booths.

“People actually bring lawn chairs and a thermos of coffee and wait for 5 hours hoping to be the first ones in,” said artist Jenny Bullard, who will bring her colorful and uplifting art to the festival again this year. “I love the energy and excitement the buyers bring.”

This year’s festival opens at 9 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 25, at Arapahoe Community College. Admission costs $12, and proceeds have funded a cumulative $290,000 in scholarships for ACC students since 2012.

“From the time the air horn blows and the gates open, a fun-filled 6 hours of choosing from paintings, ceramics, and glasswork to sculpture and jewelry awaits,” artist Michael Combs said. And what makes this show extra special is that it’s not only fun for you, but your admission price also helps fund scholarships for ACC students.”

DeLutes has been running the Denver Arts Festival for 18 years, and launched a second, more affordable festival 12 years ago. He was inspired by an artist friend who attended an affordable arts festival in Milwaukee.

“He gave me live video feeds of how many people were there and how crazy the shopping energy was,” said DeLutes, who then attended the show in 2011 as an artist. “It was so much fun and I knew right then that Colorado needed a show like this.”

The Milwaukee festival closed recently after more than 50 years, and DeLutes said he doesn’t know of any other shows of its kind in the nation.

DeLutes said he loves to see “patrons being blown away by the quality of the work and the huge discounts,” and attendees often tell him they planned a $200 budget, but spent $1,200 without regret.

Award-winning artist Caroline Young will return to the Affordable Arts Festival this summer, and she calls the event “a truly unique art festival.”

Young said she will bring new original paintings and new limited-edition prints to the festival this year.

“Jim DeLutes is the best show director we’ve ever worked with,” she added. “...The fact that the show is only six hours on one day makes festival goers focus on buying artwork. They know they must act before someone else snatches up what they want. Despite the low prices, the exhibitors have high-quality items. You do not get the feel of a flea market. The excitement of the crowd creates an infectious buying energy.”

Despite the low prices, the popularity of the festival makes it lucrative for artists.

“Having been an artist at the Affordable Arts Festival since the third annual show, I can tell you it has been one of my top grossing shows every year since,” said Colorado painter Bruce White.

He echoed the other artists’ recollections of eager attendees.

“Patient patrons literally run through the aisles once the horn sounds to open the show, just to get to a particular artist’s booth before anyone else can,” White said. “I have had lines of customers for a solid three hours in all of the three most recent shows. You don’t see that in any other show.”

And he doesn’t just make money and sell art at the show. He is also an avid patron building his own collection.

“In fact, I have personally purchased dozens of cherished pieces over the years,” White said. “This is truly a show that art lovers should not miss.”

Steve Graham is a freelance writer and former newspaper editor who lives in Denver with his lovely bride, boys and bikes.