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Beaux Arts Fair goes on despite early rain

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| Saturday, May 10, 2003 |

Kerri Greiner

Early morning thunderstorms on Saturday did not keep more than 60 vendors from participating in this year's Beaux Arts Fair in downtown Davenport.

The artists had a slow start to the morning as rain showers slowed the process of preparing their stands. As the fair began, though, the storms stopped and people began to trickle into the streets in search of the garden items, baskets, paintings, jewelry and sculptures for sale.

"It will have an affect on us, because who wants to come out in the rain?" said Rosalie Baker, president of the Beaux Art Committee. "But the serious buyers will come down."

"It's an outdoor show, you have to be prepared and go with it," said crafter and basket maker Curtis Morrow, one of more than 200 artists who participated.

The Beaux Art Fair began in 1961 and there were several changes to this year's event, including a different venue and lack of a corporate sponsor.

Construction in the downtown area forced the fair to move to 2nd Street between Brady and Iowa streets.

"We're a support group for the Arts," Baker said. "All of the money we take in is donated back to the Davenport Museum of Art."

Beaux, meaning "fine arts" in French, was exactly what shoppers saw as they admired the variety of artwork.

"I do it every year," said fifth-year Beaux Arts shopper Kaelyn Bush of Milan, Ill. "I look for paintings and anything with apples and birds on it."

Even a big city gal admired the small town charm of the event.

"I think it's wonderful," said Janet Dimero of California. "I was thinking it wouldn't be up to some of the ones I've seen, but there are some really pretty things."

Artists from all over the country come to this bi-annual event to display their art.

Christine Breitsprecker of Burlington, Wis., specializes in garden items and birdhouses. "It has a nice ambiance, the people are nice and they treat you well," she said. "We also have a lot of repeat customers."

The Beaux Arts Fair continues from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today.

The city desk can be contacted at (563) 383-2245 or newsroom@qctimes.com.