Fairfield Art Association to host 'If the Shoe Fits’ art installation

The Fairfield Art Association is planning for its 2023 summer art installation with a shoes theme, and will be created by artists & fine craftsman, and placed in 18 different downtown garden nodes for public viewing and enjoyment.

The project will enhance Fairfield tourism and promote local artists. This exhibit will open on the June 2, First Fridays Event, and remain on display through the summer. A Silent Auction of the “2023 Entries” will begin on Aug. 4 and conclude at the September Art Walk.

Proceeds will be divided equally between the participant and the FAA.

Individual adult artists and fine crafts persons, or creative groups, are invited to participate. FAA only has 18 spaces available, and it is first come, first served.

All types of shoes/boots can be used, old or new, mens or womens. The FAA might have a few available and will let you know. Shoes can be taken apart, used whole, stacked, hooked together securely to form a sculpture up to a maximum height and width of 24”. You can use any material to decorate or embellish, use of recycled, found materials and Fairfield related items are encouraged. You can paint by hand, or spray paint- be sure to use a paint that adheres to shoes and will not wash off. Any glue used must be weather proof. (Hot glue does NOT work) Nails/screws and heavy duty staples allowed. All materials must be weatherproof and construction sturdy. A protective clear coating should be used when finished to protect from weather.

Your completed work must be designed to work with our simple installation plans – We will provide a 12”x12” piece of wood to build your shoe sculpture on. You can add more wood or items to build/shape a structure to attach shoes to. The wood base will have screw holes in all four corners you should not cover. We will use the holes to screw the square base onto a metal plate on our heavy-duty steel pole. The poles go into the ground of a garden node downtown, leaving approximately 4 ½ foot of the pole above ground. Work should not get too heavy to handle when installed.

Subject matter must be in good community taste. Artwork must be safe to handle – no sharp edges or hazardous materials. Finished art pieces become the property of the FAA. FAA reserves the right to reject a creation for inferior craftsmanship or quality to with stand weather.

Questions can be directed to the FAA Board, or contact Suzan Kessel, email suzan1252@aol.com or call 641- 919-2121.

Artwork must be completed and turned in to the FAA Studio between May 30 – June 1, to be installed prior to June 2. If the piece is awkward to transport & handle, it can be delivered to installation site. Self-installation can be done with our instructions & hardware at your assigned location. Location depends on your design and plant growth at nodes.