Umbrellas event rains visitors

The Desert Sun • February 18th, 2010

It was a hot sunny day on Saturday, but that didn't stop many from having their umbrellas ready to go.

More than 70 artists showcased their work at Art Under the Umbrellas art show from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“It is one of the best-run shows you could imagine,” said Amara Alban, as she stood under her tan umbrella where she showcased her dinnerware and jewelry.

The art show is sponsored by the La Quinta Arts Foundation and Old Town La Quinta.

Alban and her husband, Thomas, are in the pottery business. They are self-taught and credit their surroundings for influencing them to become artists.

The two have have attended the art show since its inception five years ago. Amara Alban said it gives them a chance to showcase their work and raises money for a good cause: 20 percent of each artist's sales go toward the foundation.

“We've had steady traffic all day long,” said Christi Salamone, executive director of the La Quinta Arts Foundation.

The streets of Old Town were flooded with people on Saturday. Salamone estimated there were easily more than 3,000 people at the art festival.

And though the traffic was steady on the streets, the parking lot was a different story.

Many visitors had to park their cars as far back as the public library parking lot.

Bob Stebner, 71, said he had to pull his car out of the dirt lot on Calle Tampico to pick up his wife, who was waiting for him at the entrance of the art show with her hands full.

Stebner, a resident of Oregon, said he enjoyed the art show. This was his first time attending.

“I like art, and she likes jewelry,” Stebner said of he and his wife.

Another first-timer at the art show, Bonita Brown, 63, of Knoxville, Tenn., agreed the show was a success.

“I liked the size of the venue, its surroundings,” she said. “It's very tasteful and high quality.”

Jessica Segura