Sunnyside Artists to Hold Annual Art Fair Sunday

June 4, 2015 By Michael Florio

Sunnyside residents will have the opportunity to come out and support local artists this Sunday and perhaps enjoy a free glass of wine in the process.

The annual Queen of Angels Art Fair, which is being put together by Sunnyside Artists, will be held at the Queen of Angels Church located at 44-04 Skillman Ave this Sunday from 10am to 5 pm.

The fair will showcase the work of 30 local artists, with each artist having a table to display his or her work. The artwork will include ceramics, oil paintings, acrylic paintings, sculptures, photography and drawings, according to Patricia Dorfman, founder of Sunnyside Artists.

Artists will be selling their artwork with the proceeds going directly to them. A free glass of wine will be given to anyone who buys a piece of artwork. Lowery Liquors will provide the wine.

More than 90 artists wanted to participate in this year’s fair, with Sunnyside Artists having to cut the list down to 30. All of the artists selected have some connection to Queens, whether it be having a studio in the borough or living here.

“We will have artists from Sunnyside, Astoria and Long Island City,” Dorfman said.

This is the eighth annual art fair.

The first year the fair had five participating artists, with only 75 attendees. However, once the word got out about the event the fair took off and the very next year more than 800 people attended.

“There has been at least 800 people every year since,” Dorfman said.

The fair generated its biggest crowd in 2010 when more than 1,000 attended. This year, Dorfman expects at least 800 people to attend.

Dorfman believes this is a great way for local artists to get their name out and sell their work. She added that it is also a fun time for everyone in attendance.

The art fair also brings the community together, Dorfman said.

“I believe it boosts community spirit and our quality of life,” said Manny Gomez, President of Sunnyside Artist.

A $5 lunch will be available in the art café, plus there will be raffles that include a membership to Phyzique ( a local gym), art supplies, wine and restaurant gift certificates.

Sunnyside Artists doesn’t make a profit from the event. However, 15 percent of the proceeds from raffles, the lunch and the $35 artist fee go toward local food pantries, with the remainder going toward advertising the event and expenses.

“We have to buy banners and posters and advertise,” she said. “That is where the money goes towards.”