Avoid parking headaches
through careful planning
By THOMAS HRACH no cheaper parking within miles of the
fair.
B ECAUSE THE half million people "There is always a problem with cars
who come to Ann Arbor during the illegally parked because some people
four-day art fair don't get here by are always willing to take a chance on
magic, the street closings and traffic being towed," said Mike Scott,
can give any visitor enough headaches manager of Ann Arbor's parking
to destroy an enjoyable day at the fair. system. "We will enforce the city's
But those who plan ahead can avoid normal parking codes."
the hassles of parking tickets and high- And though the city claims not to add
priced parking spaces. Because meter maids during the fair, Scott
parking spaces that the city and didn't deny that the fair provides a sub-
the University provide are at a premium. stantial increase in the amount of traf-
the most economical visitor can plan fic violations. The out-of-towners who
ahead and take advantage of the shuttle attend the fair simply aren't used to the
bus service provided by the Ann Arbor strict traffic enforcement to which
Transportation Authority. residents have become accustomed.
"The University cooperates with the "The art fair is normally a very well-
city as best it can to accommodate the behaved crowd," said Captain Kenneth
influx of people," said Robert Klinge of the Ann Arbor Police Depar-
Wagner, manager of parking tment. "Still, extra officers are needed
operations for the University. "Still, due to the large crowds in such a small
there are not nearly enough facilities in area. We add only enough officers to
most areas of the art fair." maintain security."
Wagner was sympathetic towards the According to Klinge, the arrests
regular University employees who find during the art fair don't increase
their normal spaces taken by the time significantly because drunken behavior
they get to work. is no longer a crime in Ann Arbor.
Normally, the University garages at The experienced fair visitor is
Hill, Church, Thompson, and Fletcher familiar with the AATA's shuttle ser-
Streets are reserved for University em- vice, now in its third year at the event.
ployees until 11 a.m. After that the Free parking is available at Briarwood
spaces are sold to the general public. Mall and Pioneer High School, and
Those wishing to claim the valuable patrons pay one dollar for service to
three-dollar spots for all-day parking either South University or Main Street.
shouldn't expect to get one anywhere "We do some advertising in the local
after 11:30. By noon there normally is media (for the shuttle service), but
DOUG McMAHON/Daily
As always, Ann Arbor's finest will be on hand at the art fair to make sure
people don't have too much fun.
mostly word of mouth helps to promote to the second.
the service," said Kay Hahn, "The authority takes pride in helping
marketing manager of the AATA. the city alleviate the traffic problems,"
Hahn pointed out that ridership said Hahn. "Even the drivers want to
doubled from its first year of operation help."
Artists denounce bartering as demeaning
By DOV COH EENit. "Americans don't know how to bar- to him," Harper said. anything to do with (the quality of the
ter. The first thing they do is insult The patron who thinks he knows more shot). That's bullshit."
C W E SHOULDN'T be expected you," he said. "In Kenya ... they have about art than the artist can be quite a A very small portion of the customers
to act like a garage sale," a beautiful way of doing it. It's part of pain, according to Rusten. actually do try to barter, according to
said Terry O'Toole, one of many artists the social scene. It's pleasant." What really angers him, Rusten said, the artists. Dean estimated that only
who is upset about the potentially in- "I think it's the manner of the person is "to have some smart ass come along one percent try it.
furiating practice of dickering. that irritates or insults," Rusten said, and just because he owns a camera, he The golden rule, Rusten said, is "the
Although some artists will give "It's a lot how they approach you. thinks he's a photographer. He doesn't more sophisticated the show, the less
discounts for buying several works, Some people do it nicely, some people believe my personal insight or skill had barterers."
their prices for single pieces are often don't," said Dean, a potter and painter.
inflexible. With some patrons it's a "let's talk kind ^.
"I set the prices, and if they don't of thing, which is fun since you get to
want to buy them at that price, they laugh with them," she said.
don't buy them," OToole said. "This But every artist has his own horror '?'
isn't a rummage sale or garage sale or story about the obnoxious customer.
buying a used car ... people don't go in- Sculptor Constance Harper recalled ' .
to Kline's and bargain." how someone tried to bargain for one of ,71.
Callie Dean, a 15-year veteran of the her best pieces. "He came up to me and
art fair who trades freely with other ar- offered me half price. I thought, 'gim-
tists, agreed with O'Toole. "Bartering me a break," she said. * F
on the streetdoesn'twork," she said. The customer then asked if he coudi p
Further, Dean added, "Usually leave his phone numbor in case she
people do it in such a way it's changed her mind, and left not only his
demeaning." phone number but his son's answering
Photographer Phil Rusten doesn't ob- service.
ject to bartering in principle, but he is "If I had to crawl back on my hands 4
offended by the way most people handle and knees in the street, I wouldn't sell it