Art fair continues to grow and impress

SOUTHSIDER VOICE PHOTOS BY NATHAN PACE Tony Watson (from left) joined the Delta Duo of JJ Stenzoski and Irina Povarova in their performance

The fair featured a multitude of artwork, including designer clothing, hats, drawings, china and greeting cards.

Chelsea Dolan displayed her ceramic housewares

“Wire+Wonder” presented by Bonnie Robbins

By Nathan Pace
Online editor 

More than 30 artists participated in the 11th annual Autumn Art Fair at the Garfield Park Arts
Center over the weekend. Organizer Diane Werblo said she was pleased with how the event continues to grow every year.

“I started this 11 years ago when the art fair my husband and myself used to participate in suddenly quit. I said. ‘Lets put on our own.’ It turned out to be a lot of work, but it has made everybody happy.”

“This is our biggest annual art fair,” said center manager Kavita Mahoney. “We’ve historically always done the weekend before Thanksgiving as sort of a push for buying local for the holidays and supporting your local artists.”

Some of the factors that help the fair stand out is that admission is free and it’s entirely indoors.

“We’ve grown the attendance, and we’ve grown the different type of artists that come here,” Mahoney said. ‘I’m hoping to expand even more next year and keep things fresh every year."

Another thing that makes the fair unique is live music. JJ Stenzoski and Irina Povarova of the Delta Duo were among the musicians, and they performed what they call the Mississippi Delta blues.

“Very nice musicians come,” Povarova said. “We like it a lot and there is great food here. We love to listen to other musicians.

Rhonda Newsome was a new artist with her reclaimed silver and copper jewelry