One on One: Three Rivers Art Festival Coordinator Karen Whiteside

by Karen B. Gibbs

Covington native Karen Whiteside knew what she was getting into when she volunteered to coordinate the city’s Three Rivers Art Festival. That was three years ago, and she still loves her job. Not your usual weekend event, the festival requires year-round preparation to play host to the 50,000-60,000 visitors that it attracts. Karen doesn’t consider herself an artist (“I just dabble in drawing.”), but she loves promoting the arts. Her children, Austin, 14, and Amber, 10, share her enthusiasm and volunteer to help every year with her #1 project.

What is the purpose of the festival?

The Three Rivers Art Festival is about promoting artists, their work and downtown Covington. It’s not about raising money. We want to present excellent artists to the community.

As coordinator, what are your responsibilities?

I coordinate our artists. Last year, we had artists from 22 states. I also oversee the 15-16 committees, take care of our volunteers and oversee the 5K race and the 1-mile walking race.

The festival is a juried show. What does that mean?

When a show is juried, artists must submit in advance digital photos of four pieces of their work and a photo of their booth set-up. A three-member jury made up of a gallery owner, a curator and an art teacher views the anonymous entries and scores them. The top-scoring artists are invited to participate in the festival. This is good, because it provides a diversified show. Our artists represent 15 different mediums—fiber, jewelry, woodwork, metal, painting, drawing, to name a few. This year we had more than 400 artists enter the competition.

What’s the most unusual work of art you’ve seen featured in the festival?

One woman took metal flowers and made them into an outdoor shower that hooks to a hose.

I understand there will be a children’s area at the festival.

Oh, yes. At Columbia and Kirkland we’ll have a performance stage featuring acts geared toward children—bands, storytellers, performers. We also have hands-on tables where children can make items to take home. At the student art exhibit for grades K-12, the works are displayed and judged just as the adult works are.

What is the most satisfying part of being festival coordinator?

Hearing from the artists. They’re touched, because this festival is about them—showcasing them and their works. Plus, it is very fulfilling and satisfying to be remembered by these artists from year to year.

What is most exciting?

I love that key moment when the festival opens. There are problems to deal with and it’s very stressful, but I get such an adrenaline rush. It’s fun! I like doing it and meeting so many great people.

This sounds like so much fun. Is it too late to volunteer?

It’s never too late. We need about 200 volunteers to run the festival.

What are the dates and times for this year’s festival?

November 10 and 11 in downtown Covington on Columbia Street from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. And there is no admission charge.