After buying books, paying rent and a few late night stops at LaBamba, suddenly a bank account is on the brink of empty and there is nothing fun to show for it.
The Art Studio Clearance Sale, tomorrow and Sunday, gives college students with tight budgets a chance to buy original pieces from the artists who made them.
This seventh annual sale is presented by Ohio Designer Craftsmen Enterprises and will be held at Veterans Memorial, 300 W. Broad St.
More than 100 artists will have work in ceramics, jewelry, fiber, metal, glass, wood, painting, photography, mixed media and more.
The prices will be discounted on new works, discontinued designs, overstock and slightly imperfect inventory.
There will be two blue light specials every hour and an artist’s auction on Sunday at 3:30 p.m.
Carolyn Williams, from Ohio Designer Craftsmen Enterprises, said in order for work to be in the sale artists must submit an application and slides. These artists works are then reviewed and scored. The highest scores in each medium are invited to sell their work at the show.
Williams said they only take certain artists to control the quality and make sure only the best applicants get in. This also verifies the artists have made the work themselves.
Applications come from all over the nation, Williams said. It has become a national show because of the Ohio Designer Craftsmen Enterprises involvement in Winterfair, which is another art show they sponsor.
“The sale is fun, laid back and not very serious which is why it has been such a success,” Williams said.
Artists announce certain special sales throughout the day. Williams described how an artist will make an announcement telling buyers that, for example, anyone with a pink sweater will get an extra 15 percent off for the next 20 minutes.
“It gives the artists a chance to try new things out or sell over stock at bargain prices,” Williams said.
All artists will be on hand to present their work and answer any questions the buyer may have.
Kathy Sherman is a jeweler who will be there selling her work. She said she has been exhibiting with Ohio Designer Craftsmen Enterprises for the past 7 years. She will be bringing her regular inventory from last year and will have it marked as 20 percent off.
Sherman said everything she sells is made by her own hands and she does not have things mass produced.
“I do it as a thank you to regular customers,” Sherman said.
A booth will be set up by the Columbus College of Art and Design to sell work by students both past and present. It is the first time they will have a booth at the show.
The sale will run tomorrow from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Admission is $5 with free return both days. Children under 12 years of age get in free.
