There’s North Fork farm stands, egg stands, even oyster stands. Last weekend, Cutchogue artist Kaitlin Beebe opened the area’s first roadside art stand. Before the coronavirus pandemic, Beebe had a full schedule of summer fairs lined up to help her to sell her work through the season. As the cancellation notices rolled in, she got creative.
“I’ve tried to increase my social media presence. I started an online shop. I’ve had very loyal customers come back again and again, but I’m always looking to bring more viewers to my art,” said Beebe, whose bright artwork of local North Fork businesses are done primarily in marker.
“I was inspired by the North Fork’s plethora of farm stands,” she said. “I love how everyone has their own favorite spot, and the anticipation that follows when a new fruit or veggie is in season.” And so the Beebe K-Art was born.
“I started setting up just with a tent and table outside my house in Cutchogue,” she said. Then, her dad came across an old firewood cart near her house for sale. It wasn’t exactly what Beebe had envisioned; the cart needed some work to go from a stand that sold firewood to one that would sell works of art. She drew out her vision and her dad, a builder, brought it to life.
On the cart, totebags, t-shirts, prints and cards of Beebe’s work are available to purchase. “We’re offering an open air experience, and just trying to make the best of the situation,” Beebe said. On top of selling her own art, her friend and jewelry artist Kristen Mullen had a pop up at the cart, and she hopes collaborations like this will continue to draw people in.
“I had a lot of friends and family come out, and definitely had a lot of people rubbernecking looking at the stand as they drove by,” she said. “I would love to see it become a staple of the North Fork along with the other wonderful farm stands.”
The Beebe K-Art is closed this weekend, but will reopen for regular hours (12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Fridays and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays) on July 24. Follow her on Instagram to stay up to date on the latest art offerings and hours.
24775 Main Road, Cutchogue
