Music, Art and Food, Oh My!

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Whenever I choose to venture outdoors in the summer one of two things usually happens; one, the sun decides it's time to punish me with a severe sunburn and humidity that makes me feel like I am breathing underwater, or two, the sky opens up into a torrential downpour that will last only until I go back inside. So, in accordance with the rules of nature, the moment I stepped out of my car on Sunday to enjoy Webster Grove's sixth annual Art and Air festival, rain began to fall. Naturally, during the three-day festival period, I choose to explore it the moment the sky turned ominous.

Nonetheless, the rain didn't scare the vendors or patrons of the festival away, so I too forced myself to carry an umbrella through a field of trees while lightening struck overhead.

And I am so glad I did.

Each year the Webster Groves Art and Air festival brings over 100 vendors together to display their work in different creative areas such as digital art, sculpture, ceramics, watercolor paint and jewelry. The fair also showcases musical performances and delectable food. The festival is hosted by the Webster Community Arts Foundation in their attempts to raise money to donate to different community-oriented organizations.

The beautiful grounds of Eden Theological Seminary held the festival this year. This perfect location was in the heart of historic Webster Groves and was suited well for the different types of high-class art that the fair brought together. For me, the quality art with the park-like setting and the live music combined together to create a great atmosphere that made Art and Air a truly enjoyable experience despite the rain.

So, as vendors shielded their works from the rain, visitors stuffed their faces with food from favorite local restaurants and applauded the Webster Groves High School Jazz band who braved the performance stage despite it's wet conditions.  Quite a successful afternoon for those who don't melt from a bucket of water.

Visit the fair's site for more information http://www.artandair.com/fair/index.html and look at the gallery the check out photos