The Ann Arbor Art Fairs are the granddaddy upon which many other shows got their get up and go, copycats, improvements, lessons learned, etc.
Once upon a time in 1969 a bunch of people wanted to horn in on the fabulous success they were seeing for artists in the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair and grabbed property nearby and had a "free fair." Yep, you saw the date and I hope a bunch of you remember the '60's. AA was a great place to be in those days. Many of the original group have continued to participate every year since then so I'd like to give a little heads up to these pioneers who helped the rest of us find our art fair legs.
One of the reasons so many of these people could continue year in and year out is that for many of the early years if you joined the Guild you'd be able to participate in the show without jurying and there was a long waiting list of people waiting for that opportunity.
Walt Pinkus sent me this list and these are just the Michigan list. Walt and his wife Ruth are participating for the last time.
Stan Baker, Donna Beaubien, Rex Benson, John Berry, Marilyn Bishop, Bonnie Blandford, Phil Borkowski, Carlye Crisler, Joe Cyberski, Callie Dean, Laurie Fowler, Helmut Goral, Mary Humphrey, Ruth Petersen & David Jellema, Jan Kaulins, Michael Kifer, Esther Kirschenbaum, Sam Machulis, Chris Maher, Rita Meech & Terry Oss, Nels Nelson, Rick Ott, Ken Pellar, Jim Reinert, Sharon St. Mary, Simon & Joy Tarasiewicz, Sally Thielen, Ron & Cynthia Tschudy, Susan Wright, Kay Yourist.
I think most of them are exhibiting there again this year. What a life!
Does anyone have any other names to add to the list? Or can you add names from 1969?
Comments
I was there yesterday and did see Rishar. I think I.B. has moved over to the AA Pottery group at the Street Fair.
I was there with Chris Leach and his pottery......1971 I think
Message on my FB page from John Berry:
John Berry Some of these people, including myself, were not at the first fair in '69. My first year was 1976. Other names are I.B. Remson, George Tudzarov and Rishar Miranda.