Grace Kweon

Artists have their work out on display under white canopies as a crowd walks from booth to booth. This year, 156 local artists were handpicked by the fair’s juries from approximately 1,115 applicants. “I came to walk around, get some good exercise and just shop around with my family,” sophomore Marah Swillinger said. “We find art fairs so fun to walk around and find art.”

On Sept. 8-10, the annual St. Louis Art Fair (SLAF) celebrated its 30th anniversary with art showcases, food, live performances and children’s activities in the heart of Clayton.

At the art fair, stations for creating and decorating were available for children. Rose Davis, a marketing and communications New City staff member, supervised a creation station along with two others, which helped children create seamed booklets and stamps with colorful decorations, foam and cardboard. 

“[We have] the kids explore a little bit and let them make a project that they can do at home with any piece of paper,” Davis said. “We’ve got instructions to make it easier.”

Sophomore Grace Pinex has been going to the SLAF for two years now. She hopes to create a tradition of visiting the fair’s merchandise booth, which sells items such as shirts, hats, wallets, trinkets and pins, all artistically designed.

“I like the pop-up merchandise because I come and switch out my wallet every year with a new wallet, [which has] art designs on it,” Pinex said.

SLAF admission is completely free and includes a street full of local food vendors, a swing set for children, a stage with ongoing performances, designated sitting areas and a whole community in support of the event. Pinex was one of them, deciding to go to the fair again after seeing the art last year.

“I would rate [the atmosphere] an 8.5 because they always do it at the right time when it’s not too hot or not too cold,” Pinex said. “I love listening to the live music and walking around, getting my steps up.”