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Pacific gallery owner proposes May 2025 Fine Art Fair, larger plan for Route 66 centennial
Summary
Saum Barker, owner of SAY Art Studios, proposed a Pacific Missouri Fine Art Fair for May 2025 and a larger festival for the 2026 Route 66 centennial, requesting help with street-closure permits, advertising and about 50 volunteers.
Saum Barker, owner of SAY Art Studios at 119 East Saint Louis Street, asked the Pacific Tourism Committee to support a Pacific Missouri Fine Art Fair in May 2025 and a larger event timed to the Route 66 centennial in 2026.
"I am proposing the Pacific Missouri Fine Art Fair and I would like to bring that to Pacific in May of 2025 on a small scale and larger for the centennial in 2026," Barker told the board, describing a gallery that has exhibited dozens of local and regional artists and attracted attention from the St. Louis arts community.
Barker said the first-year event would be short — about six hours — and would pair tent artists on the street with gallery artists displayed inside local businesses. He asked the committee for guidance on special-event permitting, street closures and local advertising, and requested roughly 50 volunteers to staff the fair. Barker said he plans to coordinate with the Chamber of Commerce, Pacific Partnership, the Red Cedar Inn and the Pacific Scenic Library.
Board members and staff advised pursuing a special-event permit and meeting with permitting staff to review street-closure logistics. A board representative summarized the procedural step: the applicant should apply through the billing department and meet with city staff to work out permit details before proceeding.
Timing and permitting are potential constraints: members flagged a possible MoDOT construction project on First Street that could complicate traffic patterns in spring 2025. The committee did not vote on funding for the proposal; Barker said he would follow up with materials and contact information.
The committee encouraged coordination with existing local events and noted that museum, lodging and other downtown businesses could be integrated into the plan to boost cross-traffic for merchants and restaurants. Barker left contact and promotional materials with staff.
The tourism director recommended staff follow up on permitting steps and city resources to support special events.
