Written by Tanya Terry
James Draper, who is artist co-coordinator for First Frost along with Lisa Land, spoke to the Courier about the local arts and fine crafts fair that attracted artists from around the state along with many art lovers.
First Frost is hosted by the Founder’s Society, which helps raise money for the Flint Institute of Arts. The fair has gone through multiple transitions but continues to be a worthwhile and successful event many community members take delight in.
The Founder’s Society’s spring art show is called First Bloom and was held April 3. For First Bloom, artists created clothing, accessories, jewelry and other items based on what women seem to find appealing.
“First Frost did not have those limitations,” Draper explained. “It went across the board with everything.”
First Frost featured jewelry, ceramics, paintings, posters, sculptures, wood carvings and wood products, charcuterie boards, breadboards, a large variety of woven products, clothing, pysanky (a type of painted egg), quilts, 3D Afrocentric greeting cards and other cards, books, key chains, ink pens and more! Forty-eight artist groups were able to feature their work. According to Draper, more 2D wall paintings and photography were featured at First Frost compared to First Bloom. Draper noted each artist’s work was completely different.
Draper described the way this year’s First Frost differed from the First Frost events held in previous years.
First Frost began in 2006. It was being held at the Flint Institute of Arts. In the gallery where the event was held, the maximum was about 45 artists. That number of artists was reduced because the gallery was needed as FIA got ready to open the new glass wing. Eventually, in 2019, it got to the point where only 21 artists could showcase their art at First Frost.
The Founder’s Society looked at whether they could make the transition to the Flint Cultural Center Academy. The Flint Cultural Center Academy is across from the Flint Institute of Arts. Unfortunately, during the COVID-19 pandemic, First Frost was canceled. After a two-year hiatus, First Frost returned to the Flint community.
“We’re bigger and better than we ever were,” Draper said.
There were 51 booths.
One highlight of the event was the festival of artistically decorated artificial Christmas trees for sale. The artists on the Founder’s board decorated nearly 20 trees. According to Draper, almost all the trees were sold.
Baked goods were also sold. According to Draper, this also went very well.
Draper explained First Frost began as a joint event hosted by both Friends of Modern Art (FOMA) and the Founder’s Society in 2005. FOMA eventually backed away from the event and told the Founder’s Society they could run it themselves. Over the years, First Frost grew, and it began the Founder’s Society’s largest fundraising event.
According to Draper, artists must submit applications and photos of the products they want to put in the event, along with other items and information, to obtain a booth to showcase their work in First Frost. Draper stated from there it must be determined whether their products would be interesting to event attendees.
“It was an honor to be one of the 51 artists selected for First Frost,” said Rhonda Willingham,
CEO of and artist for Sista Girl Greeting Cards.
“As a returning artist, I have met some wonderfully talented people, some of whom I have formed a bond,” Willingham added. “Everyone is so friendly and everyone helps everyone. It was great to see all the artists rooting for each other to have a successful weekend!”
“People were happy to be back in there to see all the different art, to be talking to the artists and to enjoy the event,” said Draper. “We’re looking forward to in the future be bringing back entertainment, to be bringing back our living statues and some things like that we cut out when we didn’t have room.”
Draper said all in all, it felt good to have put COVID “on the back shelf.
“I think it was just a happy time,” he added.
The Founder’s Society is already thinking about what they will do for the springtime event. The event will likely take place in April of 2023. Everyone in the community is welcome!
