The Michigan Daily-Wednesday, July 15, 1980-Page 5 Ann Arbor Art Fair began 21 years ago as Dily Photo by JIM KRUZ Bedridden Art exhibited at the Ann Arbor Art Fair comes in all shapes and sizes and can be made from every material imaginable. Here, the subjects of this almost life-size soft sculpture seem undisturbed by the bedlam surrounding them. Artists, merchants, shoppers take over streets of Ann Ar'bor business By BONNIE JURAN Today's Art Fair-a four-day, three- fair extravaganza attracting upwards of 80,000 people per day, began twenty years ago on South University when 99. artist hung their works on ropes strung between parking meters. The South (and East) University fair, formally known as the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, first opened in 1960 at the request of the South University For a pictorial look at the '79 Art' Fair, see Pages s and 12. Business Association, according to Olivia Bottum of Brunvard Associates, the organization that handles publicity for the fair. The businessmen were in- terested in an arts and crafts display to coincide with area July bargain days, she said. THESTATE STREET Art Fair joined the festivities (and profits) in 1967, inviting close to 40 Michigan ar- tists and craftspersons to exhibit their wares. Currently, artists from other areas may display artwork in the State Stree fair. In 1971, the University Artists and Craftsmen Guild formalized the Sum- mer Arts Festival on East University providing more than 100 students with a place to show their works, according to fair director Celeste Mellis. Prior 'to this, the students had displayed their works on the Diag. The object of the fair, Mellis, said, was to combine the crafts of professional artists with those of students, who were discouraged from joining the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair. Mellis said one of the problems associated with the original art fairs was the large numbgr of tee-shirt ven- dors and sellers of cupie dolls who m venture vaded the city, making the event seem more like a "circus" than an art festival. City ordinances, she con- tinued, currently restrict peddlers from selling their wares within three blocks of the fairs. IN 1974, THE Main Street merchants asked that the Summer Arts Festival be extended to include their area of the city, according to Mellis. This year, she said, the location of the fair will be altered again. Due to construction, the Guild lost their East University site, but gained additional space on State Street, between the Michigan Union and William Street. The widespread popularity of the art fairs yearly sparks the interest of thousands of artists wishing to display their goods. Consequently, each of the three area associations has set rules and standards to maintain quality fairs. In 1965, the Ann Arbor Street Fair ar- tists were required to undergo a jurying prdcess to determine those artists who would be invited back, Bottum said. A previewing committee also decided which new artists to include in the next year's fair. THE SUMMER ARTS Festival Rules Committee decided in 1976 that all works of, art in their show must be "original, hand-crafted, and presented by the original artist," Mellis said. She added that this year, each artist's work will be reviewed by a committee of fellow craftspersons. After being reviewed, each artist will receive an insignia declaring them an apprentice or a master member, Mellis continued. Artists labeled apprentice will be granted two years to further develop the style and quality of their works whereas master members will not be reviewed again for five years. State Street Art Fair participants receive a score of one to five from judges who later determine the artists See ANN ARBOR, Page 6 (Continued from Page 3) Summer Arts Festival (see story page 7) is located on Main Street and in front of the Union. The fair, which began ten years ago, is sponsored by the Univer- sity's Artists and Craftsmen Guild. THE SUMMER ARTS Festival was started by the guild to enable more Ann Arbor residents and University studen- ts to display their work. Unlike the other two fairs, participating artists are not chosen by jury-art must be original and meet certain specifications. A standards committee reviews the artwork and classifies the artists at a "masters" or "apprentice" level. Like the rest of the Art Fair, the Arts Festival creates business opportunities for local merchants. The Main Street sidewalk sales often attract as many patrons as the booths of pottery and paintings. The Festival also increases the traf- fic in local restaurants. Kathy Hall, manager of the Real Seafood Co., said the Art Festival is a "hectic but fun event"-second only to the Michigan- Ohio State football game. As far as business is concerned, Art Fair days are "like four football Saturdays in a row," she said. Is There Something . You've- Got To Say? SAY IT IN THE CLASSIFIEDS CALL 764-0557 Dr. Bop and the Headliners will entertain at the Second Chance with fun for all ages. They will be singing oldies and rack and rail fram July 24th through the 27th.