Standing in his booth at the Summer Art Market, artist Ron Kempton smiled as his abstract paintings were snatched up by buyers.
The 34-year-old Denver native is a professional artist whose client list includes AT&T and Hilton Hotels. He has made his passion his job.
For the 13th year in a row, the Art Students League of Denver hosted the Summer Art Market, a neighborhood festival that draws thousands each year, said Leona Lazar, executive director of the Art Students League.
The Art Students League of Denver began in 1987, modeled after a similar organization in New York. In the past 18 years, the league has grown to more than 2,600 members.
This year the festival drew 237 artists – all league members, Lazar said. The first festival, held in 1992, was so small it was held in a parking lot with no more than six or seven artists.
“We have everyone,” said Freya Lustie, event coordinator. “It’s a nice collection of experience.”
Despite the late-morning rain on Sunday, the festival was packed.
“This is a fun show,” Kempton said. “It’s a good time of year, this is the first time it’s rained.”
Sculptors, mixed-media artists, painters, ceramists and fiber artists showcased their works along Grant Street and East 2nd Avenue, near the league building.
“We have diversified what we offer,” Lazar said, noting that the show and league no longer offer only classical artwork. “We now have very contemporary and conceptual art while still maintaining the classic approach.”
Kempton, whose work has been shown in galleries in New York, Chicago and London, has participated in the show four times since 1999.
Kempton’s works at the market were mainly large abstract square pieces in black, red and browns.
Linda Rein, who bought one of Kempton’s pieces when he was just starting out in the early 1990s, passed by and recognized his work but not the artist. A large canvas hanging at the back of the booth caught her eye.
“I like the color,” Rein said, debating whether she was going to purchase another.
“I did really well two years ago,” Kempton said, when he sold out the first day of the two-day show. “Federico Peña bought two of my pieces last year. I was star-struck.”
This year he sold more than 30 of his paintings on the first day. So many, Kempton said, that he had to go home and paint four more pieces for Sunday.
Staff writer Bianca Prieto can be reached at 303-820-1201 or bprieto@denverpost.com.
