Local Artist Prepares Year-Round for Lawrence’s Art in the Park
For local artist Angie Pickman, preparing for Art in the Park is more than a weekend-long process.
Pickman, owner of Rural Pearl Studio, has participated in Lawrence’s Art in the Park since 2010. She said preparing for the event is something she works on throughout the year.
“I feel like art fair prep just kind of goes on throughout the year, because you’re always making new things,” Pickman said.
Art in the Park is one of Pickman’s bigger shows of the year, so she makes sure to have a variety of work ready for visitors.
“ … I’m always trying to have at least some new originals,” Pickman said. “I sell a lot of prints and greeting cards. So those are things that I have to print and have ready.”
Stickers from Rural Pearl Studio photographed by Alyx Wood on Sept. 14, 2026.
“And then once I make it, I have to photograph it. So that’s kind of its own process. But then it’s like you have to package everything up so that it’s transported safely,” she said. “I have a whole checklist that I go through every time now, because I’m like, OK, I’m going to start forgetting things.”
For Pickman, however, all of the preparation is worth it when she gets to share her work with the community.
“As far as my work goes, I just want people to find joy in it. I love making people smile,” she said. “And I don’t even care if they buy it or not. As long as they come in my booth and find a reason to smile. That makes me happy.”
Pickman said the event also gives local artists an opportunity to connect with community members.
“It’s more special being able to go out there and see the people that I also just see walking down the street, but they’re out there buying art and enjoying art,” she said. “So I feel like it’s just a good way to connect, not just personally with somebody, but connecting your art to your local audience.”
Art in the Park is a free event at South Park in Lawrence. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
More than 150 artists are expected to participate, with live performances and food trucks also available throughout the weekend.
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