40 ART Means Fantastic Finds

If you’re at all toying with the idea of collecting art – especially of the local variety – have we got a deal for you.

This weekend, Phoenix Art Supplies and Framing on South Main Street in Doylestown is hosting its annual 40 ART show.

Artists of all ilk and media – from children to established artists from Bucks County and surrounds – are exhibiting their artwork for purchase.

Artists can submit up to two works and everything has to be in a finished size of 5 inches by 7 inches.

The best part? All pieces are $40.

The fun part? All are anonymous. Once it’s purchased, the name of the artist will be revealed.

And judging from some of the names exhibiting in previous years, some lucky buyers will go home with quite a bargain. You might also purchase a work by a budding artist on the cusp of being "discovered."

Owner Margaret Mattheson wouldn’t divulge to DoylestownPatch any well-known names exhibiting this year, but read the list of some who’ve shown in the past: illustrator Taylor Oughton, Lambertville artist Robert Beck, James Feehan and his mystical-style pieces, Sue Ketcham and her pastels and John Ennis and his portraits, to name-drop a few.

“People just love it,” she said of the yearly summer weekend exhibition. “It’s like a treasure hunt of artists, because you never know what you’re going to get.”

But you can expect a wide variety of artwork that runs the gamut of mixed media pieces, oils, watercolors, photographs and more. You’ll see a broad subject matter, too.

This year, the exhibit will feature about 260 pieces (remember, all $40) from 100 different artists.

It’s all cash-and-carry, Ketcham said.

To get the best selection, plan to show up at the opening reception Friday, which runs 7 to 9 p.m.

Mattheson said the show is so popular that people tend to get there early, waiting in line until it officially opens.

It’ll be held in the tent behind Phoenix at 323 S. Main St. Hours Saturday will be 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, noon to 4 p.m., when the show will close.

Information: (215) 345-0980 or www.phoenixartstuff.com.