Hutchinson Art Association
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — In 1962, the Hutchinson Art Association held the first Art Fair in the parking lot of The Hutchinson News, co-sponsors of the event. According to existing documents, the Annual Outdoor Art Fair continued to be held in the Hutchinson News parking lot for several years, organized by the Art Association’s Treasurer, Louise Zink, who, along with many others, coordinated the Fair for many years to follow.
In time, the Annual Outdoor Art Fair moved to the area at 208 N. Main, Sante Fe Place and Pegues Place, remaining undisturbed by inclement weather until 1981, when rain forced it to move inside at the Industrial Building on the Kansas State Fairgrounds. Later still, by the mid-2000’s the Annual Outdoor Art Fair moved to Avenue A Park, and was rained out again in 2001 and 2006. Next, it went inside Memorial Hall before landing back at the Kansas State Fairgrounds.
Over the span of sixty-two years, a long list of Hutchinson Art Association Board of Directors are notable for their hard work and dedication to the Hutchinson Art Fair. Following newspaper accounts mentioning Louise Zink, Marvel Senti, Jinx Wright, Don Wright, Shirley and Winston Schmidt, Jane Dronberger, Del Knauer, Carol and Doug Cook are also remembered as essential past contributors to the Art Fair. After Louise Zink, Julie Chalfant became the principal organizer, followed by present-day lifetime board member Pam Gertken.
To this day, the annual Hutchinson Art Fair, as with all events created by the Hutchinson Art Association, depends upon the entire Art Center Board of Directors, the Hutchinson Art Center staff, and many, many dedicated volunteers to ensure its continued success. Thank you all!
This year, the Hutchinson Art Fair will again be held at the Kansas State Fairgrounds in the Sunflower South building on May 11 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
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