Buyer be fair

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Despite high winds that made the temperature feel 10 degrees colder, a spirited number of local merchants and organizations displayed their wares and their literature at the annual North Riverdale Merchants Association Street Festival, between West 256th and West 259th streets on Sunday.

Local politicians were on hand to encourage Tuesday’s voting, and the band played on. Actually it was a number of talented and brave performers who entertained while the tent above them appeared to want to take flight.

I was one of a five visual artists representing the Riverdale Art Association whose photographs, paintings, jewelry and beaded work were available for purchase. This was not the first time I stood at a table selling my work but, perhaps because of the extreme chilly wind, or the New York Marathon drawing race watchers to the multi-borough route, there was a smaller crowd than usual. 

This made me more aware of the number of visitors who were looking for something for nothing.  I did not price my work, hoping to do a fair trade — pardon the pun. But offers made for items were so below standard pricing, it had me wonder how often these people get out in the world. There was one woman interested in the hand-sanded glass necklaces on display who hesitated at the price of $18.  

So, I lowered the price to $15 for her.  I’m always flattered when someone really wants to purchase my creations, so it does not bother me to receive less compensation.  She was visibly pleased and then told me she had no money on her as she was just passing by. Huh? I later saw her inquiring from a photographer what he was charging for a rather large framed photo of a butterfly. 

 It was a pleasant afternoon with many people stopping to look, chat or interested in learning more about the Art Association. Then came the woman who really loved my 20-inch by 16-inch painting of dancers that took months to complete. The mat cost $10 and the frame, on sale, was $29.  

Riverdale Art Association, Laraine Pearson
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