PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Spring Beaux Arts Fair Going Virtual

Davenport, Iowa (April 23, 2020) – This year’s Spring Beaux Arts Fair will look a little different. On May 9 and 10, participating artists will be featuring their handmade creations online at www.beauxartsfair.com. Shoppers are asked to visit the “Meet the Artists” page where they can peruse and purchase directly from vendors.  

“This will be the first time the fair has gone virtual, but it is necessary given the current situation with COVID-19,” says Beaux Arts organizer Vicki Rocker. “It’s important to us to bring some normalcy to the community even if it’s not exactly what people are used to, plus it supports the arts,” she added.

On May 9 and 10 only, participating local and regional artists who have a flower by their name on the “Meet the Artists” page on the Beaux Arts Fair website will be offering something special. From jewelry, pottery and stained glass to fine furniture, sculpture and more, there is something for everyone.

The Beaux Arts Fair was established in 1967, making it one of the longest-running art fairs in the Midwest. In 2018 and 2019 the fair was named one of the top 200 art shows in the country by Sunshine Artist Magazine.

For many Quad City residents, the spring fair has become a Mother’s Day tradition. Even though the fair will prohibit people from in-person shopping, families are encouraged to connect with one another by shopping virtually. Proceeds from the fair benefit the Figge Art Museum.

About the Beaux Arts Fair:
The Beaux Arts Fair is Downtown Davenport's premier art festival in the spring and fall. In 2019 the Beaux Arts Fair was named one of the top 200 art shows in the country in 2019 by Sunshine Artist Magazine. The fair was established in 1967, making the Beaux Arts Fair one of the longest-running art fairs in the Midwest. Fair attendance and artist participation expanded on a yearly basis. In 1970, to celebrate the new Wiese addition, the Beaux Arts Fundraising Committee started up a second fair, making them one of the few bi-annual art fairs to exist. The fairs are held annually on Mother's Day weekend, kicking off the season of outdoor summer events. The second fair is held annually on the weekend after Labor Day. All proceeds from the fairs are donated to the Figge Art Museum for programs and exhibitions. 

About the Figge Art Museum:
The Figge Art Museum is dedicated to bringing art and people together. Located on the Mississippi River in downtown Davenport at 225 West Second Street, the Figge is the premier art exhibition and education facility between Chicago and Des Moines. Its landmark glass building, designed by British architect David Chipperfield, is home to one of the Midwest’s finest art collections and hosts world-class traveling exhibitions, art classes, lectures, and special events that attract visitors of all ages. The museum is temporarily closed due to COVID-19. Normal hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. On Thursdays, the museum is open until 9 p.m. Admission to the museum and tour is $10 for adults, $6 for seniors and students with ID and $4 children ages 4–12. Admission is free to Figge members and institutional members and always free to all on Thursday evenings from 5 p.m.-9 p.m. The Figge Café is currently closed but is typically open from 11 a.m -2 p.m. Tuesday–Friday.

–END–