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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Friday August 4, 2006 - 33 Art in the Park is bound to draw a crowd Continued from page 31 way since it first started 41 years ago, says OAS office manager, Sabine Frisch. "We started with just a few artists back in the day bringing their easels to Coronation Park," she said. "Now we have 128 from all over southern Ontario," said Frisch. Among them is Oakville's John van der Hart, who's been in the show on and off since the 1970s. "I've been doing this a long, long, long time," said the 74year-old painter, smiling. "This has a reputation as being one of the best art shows in the province," said van der Hart. For van der Hart, what keeps him coming back every summer for Art in the Park is the interaction with customers. "If someone comes to your booth and says they like your painting, or a painting moves them, this is the best payment," he said. "That's what's phenomenal, that we have the power to move people or draw up memories," said van der Hart. Van der Hart will be showing about 20 paintings at a booth he's sharing with a wood-carver, and his daughter, Marjolyn, is also among the artists in the show. "It's one-day only, so it's very, very intense," he said. All exhibitors "I've been doing have gone this for a long, through a long, long time. This jurying has the reputation process to be selected of being one of the for the best art shows in show, and the province." many are noted, John van der Hart, award-winartist ning artists in their field, said Frisch. "We try to make it an interesting mix of different pieces of art," she added, noting woodwork, paintings, stained glass, sculptures, pottery, photography, jewelry and more are just some of what Art in the Park has to offer. "It's exciting for the artists as well as the visitors," she said. The show runs from 10 a.m.­4 p.m. on the civic holiday Monday, and usually draws more than 3,000 visitors. "Artists who participate usually try to participate the next year because the show is so fun and it usually attracts a big crowd," said Frisch. "It's definitely one of the nicest shows of original artwork here in southern Ontario, without having to go to a fancy gallery," Frisch said. There's also more interaction with artists than at a fancy gallery, she added. "You can talk to the artists about their artwork, because they're right there. It's a chance to connect with artists and their artwork, right here by the lake," she said. The 41st annual Art in the Park show at Waterfront Heritage Park in Bronte (at the corner of Ontario and Jones St.) is Monday, Aug. 7 from 10 a.m. ­ 4 p.m. Admission to the popular show costs $3. The OAS will have a booth at the show and visitors are invited to meet members who have dedicated their time to promoting art and art appreciation in Oakville. Many Bronte area businesses are also offering sales and entertainment in conjunction with the event on the civic holiday Monday. -- Krissie Rutherford can be reached at krutherford@oakvillebeaver.com.