Seven years ago, artists Dave and Carla Fox set out to produce a juried fine arts and crafts show in Bend that would highlight top notch artists across the country creating work “beyond the normal, usual and expected,” said Carla.

The show was recently ranked No. 14 out of 600 shows of its kind by the Art Fair SourceBook — evidence that the Foxes have reached their goal of putting on a show that honors the hard work of the showcasing artists and provides them a venue that is both profitable and enriching.

The free show takes place in the Old Mill District just across the footbridge from Anthony’s on the grassy area by the Deschutes River from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 22, 23 and 24. At the event, 110 artists will showcase ceramics, fiber arts, glass, wood, metal works, photography, jewelry and more and sell their work at a variety of price points.

Unlike many other popular Bend festivals, at Art in the High Desert, patrons will not find beer tents, loud music or sponsor giveaways. Instead they’ll find artwork that is displayed only within an artist’s given medium and which is handpicked by a jury of professional artists and educators who spend two full days viewing and discussing submissions.

“This is what Art in the High Desert is all about … it’s the clarity of it,” Dave said. “We’ve been really firm that this is not entertainment. It’s about learning about fine art.”

Carla and Dave both worked in education for decades in Portland before taking an about face with their careers and going into the arts. Carla is spunky and loquacious with short, stylish grey hair and a taste for clothing that compliments her fabricated metal jewelry. Dave is tall (a former college basketball player) and more deliberate in his speech. Dave works with custom builders and designers to create commissioned fused glass murals and tile work, but often helps Carla in the studio as her “sous chef.”

They both have seen their fair share of art shows; Dave usually travels to shows with Carla to help her with sales and customer service in her booth. Both their positive and negative experiences at other art shows have helped them to create something that was truly conceived with the artist in mind.

“We want to create a place where artists can tell their stories and share how they make their product,” Carla said.

As the show’s positive reputation spreads through the national art community, the quality of the applications continues to increase. The Foxes have made sure that all entries are given equal consideration, going so far as to allow brief questions and conversations among jurors as they share their expertise about certain mediums.

New this year, the show put on a preview of all entries in a conference room at St. Charles Hospital where the public was invited to see this year’s submissions in a two-hour long slideshow. For each entry, five photographs of the artist’s work along with an image of the booth setup were displayed simultaneously.

“You could have heard a pin drop,” Carla said about how focused and attentive the audience was during the preview.

“This was a great way for other artists to see their competition and to learn ways to improve their own presentations,” Dave added.

Art in the High Desert also offers the opportunity for applicants to receive jury feedback for an additional fee, which can help them improve their submissions for the following year and grow as artists.

“I would have gotten into galleries much earlier, but I was afraid receiving this kind of feedback would just hurt my feelings,” said Rachel Harvey, who creates landscape oil paintings with her signature style which explores the play of light with saturated colors.

After two years paying for jury feedback, Harvey was eventually accepted, and last year she won the Benchmark Award, which is given to artists who create high-quality art and exemplify professionalism and an upbeat public persona.

Karen Gelbard designs and crafts hand-woven jackets and scarves inspired by the colored landscapes of the Pacific Northwest. She travels all around the country to sell her clothing at shows and has won numerous awards. Art in the High Desert is one of her favorite shows and this is her fourth year showcasing.

“I love the location by the Old Mill,” Gelbard said. “It’s a festival run by artists for artists. They do everything they can to make it the best possible scenario, and I really value that.”

Overall, Art in the High Desert is a meticulously crafted juried art show produced by two passionate artists who wanted to bring more exposure for Bend as a cultural destination and provide a lucrative opportunity for artists who create unique and unexpected work.

The show itself is also a great opportunity for those new to buying art to learn more about the process in an inviting and relaxed atmosphere.

“This is an accessible opportunity to meet competent, skilled people and learn about their art: how they do it and why they do it,” Carla said. “Hearing the artist’s stories is one of the best things for patrons.”