Despite increased attendance numbers at the La Quinta Arts Festival this year, sales staggered in the unstable economy, La Quinta Arts Foundation officials said.

Art sales were down about 35 percent when compared to last year, said Christi Salamone, executive director of the Arts Foundation. She said she expected a slump in sales, but maybe not this much.

“Artists heard the customers' desire to purchase their work, but they were apparently held back by the state of the economy,” said Salamone.

“The art patrons admired their pieces and let them know they're supported, but they're just tightening their belts right now.”

But of the 230 participating artists, a majority of them still told Salamone the La Quinta Arts Festival was one of their most profitable shows in the country when compared to others.

Final sales numbers have not been reported by each artist and Salamone said a tally will not be completed until May when the Foundation is ready to award scholarships. Twenty percent of proceeds from admission and other fees, which totaled $2 million last year, will be awarded to students through a visual arts scholarship program.

More than 15,000 people attended the four-day arts show last year, said Salamone, adding that she hoped to see that number rise. Preliminary numbers are still being audited, but early results show attendance rising by 8 percent.

“The ticket sales were just constant. There were no breaks or quiet times like in previous years,” said Marge Dodge, ticket sales volunteer chairwoman. “We sold more multi-day passes than ever and had to print more the first night.”

The single-day admission tickets cost $10 in years past, but the price was raised to $12 for adults this year and $15 for the multi-day pass. There were no complaints heard this year over ticket prices compared to previous rumblings, Dodge said.