TACA Fair in Nashville

We traveled to flood-stricken Nashville, TN this past weekend to attend the Tennessee Association of Craft Artists (TACA) outdoor fair. The fair is nestled in Centennial Park every May, beneath the view of an 1897 full-scale replica of the Parthenon.

Replica of the Parthenon in Nashville TN

Most of the art fairs on my schedule are in the Convention Center in Gatlinburg, so the occasional outdoor fair is both a challenge and a treat. The challenges include the unpredictable weather, and creating a portable art gallery within the confines of a 10×10 foot tent. This weekend’s weather was perfect, although only one week after 13 inches of rain caused much flooding in downtown Nashville and the surrounding areas. The city was still very much in trauma, and those of us setting up for the fair were unsure if it was the right thing to be doing. But the people came out, and many even thanked us for giving them a break.

William Britten Gallery on the road

One of my favorite times during an outdoor show is the early morning before the crowds arrive, often before the other artists arrive. I like to walk the grounds with a cup of coffee, enjoying the cool morning air and the promise of the day to come.  The fair is like a small sleeping community, just waking up, artists unzipping their tents, carrying in merchandise, talking to each other over coffee.  A great time of day.

Early morning before the fair