Art in the Pass celebrates 25 years
The first ever Art in the Pass event started 25 years ago in someone’s backyard. Now, art vendors from all across the country come to Pass Christian to be a part of this unique art show.
Food, music, and art are the ingredients needed for one of the most respected art shows amongst the art community. Assemblage Artist John Walrod said, “Art in the Pass has the finest venue for an art festival of anywhere I’ve been. It’s a beautiful park, aligned with these live oaks, overlooking the beach, there’s not a finer venue in the country.”
Art in the Pass Board member Anita Giani said, “We have 106 vendors from ten states including as far west as Utah, and we have ten food vendors. Of the artists, over half of them are new to Pass Christian.”
Art in the Pass adds a boost to Pass Christian’s economy. “Just the overflow from people who are staying in hotels and who are eating here and just shopping here, that’s one thing because we bring in a lot of visitors. We have between 9,000 and 10,000 visitors.”
Art in the Pass is going to be donating around $30,000 to support art within the community. “We give scholarships. We give donations to participating schools in Harrison County. We donate to the Pass Christian School District and considerable contribution to the Boys and Girls Club.”
They say one man’s trash is another man’s treasure and for Ryan Caver with CleanHorizons.org, this art is trash with a purpose. “I’m here today representing my son Oliver. Oliver is 7 years old now but when he was 4 and half, he started my family on a mission to help keep the beaches clean. When he was a little guy, he challenged us to a race to see who could pick up the most trash on the beach. We also take the trash we find on the beach and bring it home and we make art with it.”
Other creatives are using a non-traditional style to create their art. Metal Cartoonish Spencer Gray said, “I do cartoons, but they’re made out of metal pieces. Spoons, forks, pots, pans, baking vessels, and just get out there in my workshop and have a blast doing it.”
