All for 100

Columbus Arts Festival

All for 100

By Melissa Starker

If you're heading to this year's Columbus Arts Festival with unlimited funds to spend, you're in a very fortunate minority. Shrinking consumer confidence, a weak dollar and rising prices for necessities have given many people reason enough to tighten their belts. But among the booths of participating artists, there are opportunities to find something beautiful to adorn your home or body without suffering from sticker shock or a smaller grocery budget the following week.

We scanned artist websites and price lists, and below you'll find some of the people who fit into our preset budget of $100 or less. Naturally, a cutoff point in that range factored out some really fine work in various mediums that usually require a more substantial investment (blown glass, pottery, wood furniture), as well as large painted canvases (this is the Columbus Arts Fest, not a hotel sale).

The following artists have found a way to make the price point work, however, whether it's by creating on a small scale, using thrifty materials or skipping the frame on a finished piece.

Mark Traughber

Booth L77

Web: bloodle.com

Starting price: around $30

What you'll find: In addition to larger works that run higher, Traughber comes with a wonderful selection of small stencil paintings on wood block, with a ledge routed into the back so they're ready to hang. Popular subjects include monkeys, Mexican wrestlers, pinup girls and icons of vintage Americana.

Youngbok Park

Booth G37-38

Web: youngbokpark.com

Starting price: $59

What you'll find: This South Korean-born photographer offers three series of matted prints respectively exploring America, Asia and Europe, as well as a more artful and personal take on travel photography. Look for his stunning shots of Korean lotus stems - they border on the abstract.

Beach Glass Bingo

Booth N184

Web: beachglassbingo.net

Starting price: $25

What you'll find: Gene Allen and Rex Nockengust are coming all the way from San Diego to bring Columbus a hint of the ocean in wearable form. They pair sterling silver wire with smooth, organically shaped beach glass, creating simple jewelry pieces that draw attention with the sort of bright colors that are very fashionable right now.

Karin Connolly

Booth G51

Web: kcphotography.com

Starting price: $85

What you'll find: Connolly's vibrant macro images add edgy flair to the standard flower portrait. Matted prints start at $85; for more, she'll transfer her images directly onto canvas.

Alison Dryer

Booth G16

Web: pistolstitched.com

Starting price: $70

What you'll find: Dryer makes bags in trendy styles under the banner of Pistol Designs, adding her own fun spin with unique construction details, terrific vintage fabrics she finds on road trips and great, big buttons.

Megan Auman

Booth G47

Web: meganauman.com

Starting price: $20

What you'll find: The dark, matte finish of oxidized steel counters polished sterling in Auman's nature-inspired jewelry. For under $100, you can walk away with anything from a demure pair of sterling-dotted rings to a large, airy flower brooch.

Michael Salrin

Booth G15

Web: salrin.myphotos.cc

Starting price: $85

What you'll find: Based here in Dublin, Salrin seeks out striking images in scenes of urban and industrial decay, such as the crumbling corridors of Mansfield's Ohio State Reformatory. Framed, they can go for hundreds, but some of Salrin's pictures are also available smaller and unframed for less.

Patrick Meyer Studio

Booth L66

Web: patrickmeyerstudio.com

Starting price: Under $20

What you'll find: If you're seeking something special for your dining and drinking environments, or you're looking ahead to summer weddings and wondering what to get a couple that prefers handmade to big-box-bought, Meyer makes cool, chunky items in pewter that handle a variety of household tasks, from serving up a salad, to holding some flowers, to cracking open a beer bottle.

May 22, 2008