Visitors flock to street fair

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| Saturday, September 11, 2004 10:40 PM CDT | () comments

Tamara Fudge

Davenport's 2nd Street from Perry to Iowa streets is again a thriving artists' colony this weekend.

Paintings and prints, wildlife photography, woodworking, jewelry and clothing, stained glass items, leather bags, baskets, woven rugs and scarves, and more are available for sale by more than 100 creative artists from the Quad Cities and around the world at the Beaux Arts Fall Fair.

"I like to make funny stuff," said local artist Dorothy Beach, whose small, whimsical animal figurines are selling well. "It makes people laugh and have fun at the fair." Her business, Dot's Pots in Moline, is also showing mugs, plates and other unique clay items.

"I've come here since they had the show at the park near the Art Museum," said artist Dallas Galbraith of Huntington, Ind., referring to the former location on Wilkes Avenue. He compared the two, saying the wind between buildings downtown can be a force to reckon with, but the hills of the park provided obstacles to some.

"The downtown provides much better accessibility for both vendors and visitors," agreed Tom Magers of Major Arts and Hobby, fair chairman. He indicated that the fair will likely move closer to the Figge Art Museum after its completion next year.

As he talked with potential customers, Galbraith continued carefully handcrafting his large hanging sculptures of brass and various brass alloys, finished with various patinas and some paint.

Among the more unusual items shown this weekend are handmade paper and pressed flower art.

On Saturday, the Sweet Adelines lent their voices for a short concert, and fair-goers mingled near the food vendors, snacking on kettle corn, fudge, corn dogs, and other late summer fare. The colorful works of Guatemalan Benedicto Ixtamer brought an international flavor to the event.

Some people came with their dogs directly from the Pampered Pet Expo in the RiverCenter; others came out of curiosity to see the artists at work. Julie Ross of Davenport, however, brought her family to the Beaux Arts Fair on a specific mission: to find things to hang on the walls of their new home.

"It's nice to get out and see the artwork on such a nice day," she said, "and to get to know the downtown better."

Voluntary donation kiosks are placed here and there to help support the Figge Art Museum. A children's art booth was full of youngsters creating butterfly art with the help of dedicated volunteers.

"The Beaux Arts Committee has been involved with the museum for a long time, and assists in the overall mission (of the museum)," said Sue Gerace, outreach coordinator.

"They've been a big part of the fund-raising effort," said the museum's studio art coordinator Bill Douglas, "and we're grateful they continue to help."

The fair continues today from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; admission is free.

The city desk can be contacted at

(563) 383-2245 or newsroom@qctimes.com.