The Michigan Daily - Tuesday, July 19, 1983 - Page3
Welcome to the air
Daily Photo by ELIZABETH SCOTT
Every July, almost 500,000 people come to the art fair where artists from across the nation display their creations. Merchants join the artists with
sidewalk sales. This combination provides something for almost everyone.
By Georgea Kovanis to 500,000 people into Ann Arbor and brings however. Items sold at the art fair are generally
Itsfour-days of laid-back fun, as nearly half a astronomical profits to local businesses. The three higher priced than those on sale during the year. Ar-
mlinpeople brave the blazing sun and intense fairs combine to provide a party-like atmosphere for tists set their own prices for their handcrafted goods
y plow through racks of bargan clothes both touristS and townies. which can range from as little as $2 to as much as
adperuse artists' exhibits which line the city's But planning for the fair doesn't tske place over- $5.
Te art fair is a tradition that boasts something for night. Directors of all three fairs begin making plans THE ANN ARBOR Street Art Fair, located on South
everyone. From music and streetside cafes, to months in advance. And as soon as this year's four- and East University Streets, celebrates 24 years of
magicians, quilters and crowds, the art fair has it all, day parade of artists is over, plans to make next art fair this week, making it the oldest of the trio of
THREE INDIVIDUAL art fairs make up the an- year's fair a stunning success begi.C
nual July extravaganza, which entices about 40,0 Fair goers have to pay a price for this planning, SeCT', Page 19
ArtistsandCraftsmenGuiW
chooses members carefully
As the size of the group expanded, so did its
By Bill Spindle reputation. The Guild is now recognized across
"We have flamingos coming out of our ears,'' the country, and baa a national membership of
Ssaid Rita Bartolo, director of the University Ar- 14,000. In addition to participating in art fairs, the
I tists and Craftsmen Guild, r-eferring to the birds Guild provides insurance, master workshops,
displayed on the organization's promotional marketing, and consulting to its members, and
poster for this year's Summer Art Festival, gives non-credit arts and crafts classes.
These flamingos are now a common sight MEMBERS OF THE Guild are spread out
around town, since the guild sponsors more than across the nation and membership even stretches
60 atist and caftn es in its portion of the fair to other counrie s ac oemmesms
GUILD MEMBERS began displaying their travel, many make it back to Ann Arbor for the
works in 1971, when a small group of artists set up yearly fair, Bartolo added. Some even make their
booths near the Engineering Arch, at the corner of living touring from fair to fair around the nation.
East University and South University. "Their life, is traveling and doing fairs," Bartolo
Since then, the size of the group has nearly said. "The idea of stopping and opening a shop is
tripled to include 300 booths on State Street and 200 unthinkabl e. ats hnet er bu h
stands on Main Street, Bartolo said. "IT GIVSth UriL Pagne tolanabuh
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