Artist
prepares
for her 15h
art fair
By LISA POWERS
A NN ARBOR in the summer-time, is
definitely laid back. The vast
majority of students are gone, and the
rest kcik back to enjoy a new-found
emptiness on campus that is rather
pleasant . .. no more lines.
Half-way through this tranquil time,
an enormous transition occurs. Sud-
denly, the hot, sluggish streets seem to
stop in mid-stride, and tranquility
vanishes. The roads surrounding cam-
pus aresbarricaded off, and mysterious
squares, are spray-painted onto the
pavement. Colorful, eye-appealing
posters hail an up coming "Art Fair,
'84".
For most "townies," life and work
must go on as usual; only now there is a
frustrating shortage of parking spaces,
lines of people form everywhere, and it
seems as if Ann Arbor has been in-.
vaded.
The town braces itself for the en-
thusiastic wave of people that will wash
through the art-packed streets-ap-
proximately 150,000 per day-with the
consolation that the frenzy will last
less than a week.
For the artists responsible for the
whole event, the Art Fair does not mean
one week's worth or work, although
many artists earn a major portion of
their annual income during those four
days.
The amount of preparation required
for an art showing of this size is
phenomenal. Often, the artist works for
months prior on the stock that will be
displayed alone.
"Maybe there's no such thing as a
Planning
Potter and painter Callie Dean will be among hundreds of artists selling her wares at the Art Fair.
'typical' artist," said Callie Dean, a
potter and painter who is participating
in the art fair, "but the thing we
probably all have in common is the level
of frenzy."
"I'm not a very typical art fair per-
son because I only do them three times
a year, where some artists do 30 or
40 ... and it's just a routine," but for
Dean, it's the highlight of the year.
Two-thirds of her yearly income is ear-
ned at the art fair.
This is Dean's 15th Art Fair, and she
is still just as enthused as ever, but her
preparation for it is virtually a science.
"So how do I prepare? ... Vitamins,
and I take yeast every day. I definitely
run ... A couple of days before I
come downtown and claim a parking
spot to keep stock in." Parties are
planned, weekend guests are accom-
modated, and everything to be worn
and eaten for those four days are
decided upon because the artists "prac-
tically live down there."
Dean's unique lifestyle seems to orbit
aroundher art during the art fair, but in
reality, her artwork revolves around
her life and family. Her three
children-Cie, Drake, and Dean-help
with the production at all levels.
"I visited Guatemala for a winter six
years ago, and I observed the pottery-
making of the natives ... the whole
family there participated" ... and
each member seems to have one
established role in the production. "I
decided that since this was my life-
making, the whole family must help."
Art is her "life-making," but her life
has also made her art. Her trademark
has become the exquisite florals which
she paints onto her pottery and
kimono-like, white cotton outfits. There
is a distinctive oriental flair which she
attributes to an oriental friend who
taught her "to do western flowers in an
eastern way."
Her love of flowers stems from her
father, who was a grower of prize roses.
When Dean studied architecture in
Virginia, she was interested in art, but
her life soon became centered' around
her husband, children and pets. After
her divorce, she realized something had
to be done to raise her family. She tur-
ned to pottery as both a comfort and a
means of support.
Fifteen years later, she is comfor-
tably supporting her children and her-
self in a style as unique and distinctive
as her art.
Dean is an active member of the
University Arts and Craftsman Guild
leading the fight for better safety stan-
dards and the labeling of art supplies
after toxic-fumes from batik-work
made her ill and forced her to quit.
"The Guild is interrested in the in-
dividual artist's safety . . . General
Motors 9 (G.M.) has safety standards,
but artists were considered 'in-
dividualists' and so they did not have
any lobbyists," Dean said.
"I think that Ann Arbor really is the
cultural center of the Midwest," she
said. "Ann Arbor supports the Arts, not
only financially but emotionally."
for the fair begins a year in advance
By LILY ENG
A NN ARBOR summer art fairs and festivals last
only for four days. But the preparations for these
eye-opening extravaganzas never seem to cease for
their sponsoring organizations.
Each organization has a different approach in han-
dling the various preparations needed before a fair
can take place. These preparations, which include
everything from security to deciding what foods
should be served, are determined by each
organization.
According to Oliva Bottum of the Ann Arbor Street
Art Fair, preparation for the fair begins a year in ad-
vance. "Mailing lists began in September and by the
end of May, 900 applicants were juried," Bottum
said.
Food, which is always a thriving business during
the fair is either provided by local restaurants in the
area or by designated food booths. Local restaurants
have to obtain special permits from the city to sell
food outside.
The State Street Art Fair will feature local
restaurants such as Ashley's Continential Deli and
Olga's. While the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair leases
space from the Standard service station on South
University, the Summer Arts Festival will
have goodies made from the Afganistan Banana
Stand and Fruitcart Named Desire on the Michigan
Union's circular drive.
All three organizations have hired security guards
for the areas where the artists will be displaying their
works. The Ann Arbor Street Art Fair and the Guild's
Summer Festival will have Red Cross chapter
stations on the corner of South University and East
University and at the Ann Arbor Civic Theatre.
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