Art or Enterprise?

The 2017 Ann Arbor Street Art Fair is now history. Another chapter is closed. But we learned something different this time around.
Working as a “Boothsitter” is one of the most interesting ways to experience this fabulous event. You get to meet the artists up close and personal — you get to meet the people and passers-by on a unique trajectory — and you get a feel for the life of a gypsy, or what I humorously call an “Art Fairy.”
You might call it being able to play-act the part of a Carny.

CAUTION — Adult-themed video clip https://youtu.be/yJJA6WRpvlg
But seriously Folks, there was a unique aspect of my service as a booth-sitting volunteer which followed me around for 4 days. I had become a Good Luck Charm. Whenever my assigned artist and booth were in action — that being the artist removed and me behind the display — I began selling the art. It was uncanny. I had become The Art Fairy.

A Bit of Irony, Too
There were two artists in particular who had the same perspective on ArtPrize (in Grand Rapids) as I developed. In fact — one had 2 female assistants who actually worked for ArtPrize (not as interns) who supported the same thought. ArtPrize is not a legitimate art fair. It is an art competition. Take all of the beauty of creativity and innocence and sincere humanity and throw it out the window. It’s a den of greed. Take renowned art critics from across the land and ply them into a position to somehow ‘legitimize’ the enterprise of putting on a big theme park in downtown Grand Rapids.
The Frost is Off of the Lily.
But in Ann Arbor?? I can make a lot of friends, artists or Carnys, happy. Call me a jerk.

E. Douglas Wunder of Kutztown, Pennsylvania

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Tom Urich, CTA
