FALL INTO ART
Columbia, MO
Fall Into Art History
Roots Of The Show
Farah Nieuwenhuizen, the founder of Fall into Art, came to Columbia Missouri in 1969 as a young mother, wife, and artist. She became involved with the Columbia Art League where she met artists and made long-lasting friendships. While studying art education at Mizzou, she met more artists. Farah went on to work with one of them at Hickman High School where she taught and inspired young artists for over 20 years, notably teaching jewelry and ceramics.
The Columbia artist community was her inspiration for creating Fall into Art. Art in the Park, held in early June, is the major opportunity for artists to show and customers to buy in our area. Fall into Art was established with the desire for a mid-fall indoor art fair where artists could display without worry of the weather and before the holiday season, giving show goers the opportunity to find the perfect gifts.
In 2009, Farah reached out to a small group of artists, notably Melynda Lotven, Carla McFarland, and Larry L’Hote, who was a physics teacher at Hickman High School. Larry L’Hote, who has since passed was the designer of the Fall into Art logo. Together they launched the show by contacting networks of artists and renting space in the Parkade Center. The first year the show had 20 artists. Each year it grew and the demand for booths increased. In 2019, the last year in the Parkade Center, there were over 70 applications for the 55booths available. That was the show’s 10th year anniversary and a fitting celebration for so many successful shows.
​​​​​​​​​​​​The Shows Finds A New Home
Fall into Art took a two-year hiatus with the Parkade Center selling to new owners and Covid. In 2022, the
Knights of Columbus building became Fall into Art’s new home. A new start also brought new committee
members and partnerships. Artist Ernest Hildebrand and musician Tony Lotven joined the committee along
with Sarah Larrabee as our new Show Director. The addition of Tony brought a partnership with Compass
Music Inc., a non-profit music school for young to old.
Thank you!
Other notable people along the show’s journey for us to thank whole heartedly are Peggy King, who created
the first website and connected with the artists of Best of Missouri Hands, which is strong to this day. Kay
Foley, who brought the application online with Entry Thingy, elevating the show even more with organization
and professionalism. And Marcia Menendez who increased our social media presence with Instagram and
Facebook and continues to be a steady ship. We have artist and community volunteers that help with set-up,
making the show a great experience, and tear down. To all, thank you!
We want to thank our sponsors Central Bank, City of Columbia Office of Cultural Affairs, Tony & Melynda
Lotven, and Mark & Carol Stevenson.
Music has been a big part of Fall into Art from the start with local as well as up and coming youth musicians,
singers, and songwriters. We honor and thank you.
From its beginning roots Fall into Art has always been about artists, customers, and community. This year,
2024, will be our 13th annual show. Please join us on November 2nd and 3rd at the Knights of Columbus
building in Columbia, Missouri.
