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Artisans gather for Art on the Mall |
| By
Deanna Woolf |
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Jul 29, 2005 |
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They come in vans laden with their wares from many places — North Carolina, Florida, New York, Indiana and Illinois. Anxious and expectant, they set up shop in the middle of campus, hoping that the loads for their return journeys will be a little lighter once the day is done. Catching up with other exhibitors and selling time-consuming pieces — the artists make each Art on the Mall something special.
This year, the UT Alumni Association's Art on the Mall, presented by Huntington Bank and The Blade, celebrates 13 years of browsing and buying. More than 100 artists will exhibit their works for sale during the free, public event Sunday, July 31, on Centennial Mall from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
In addition to the artists' sale, there will be a display from Toledo School for the Arts students, artist demonstrations, a children's area, food and jazz music.
"This is a fun, colorful event for the University," said Eric Slough, director of alumni programming.
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| Silk scarves by Virginia Bobian |
Virginia Bobian's fiber arts will be partly responsible for that color. Her afghans, shawls and scarves will make the journey with her from Black Mountain, N.C., to Toledo. The reversible pieces are made from silk fabrics with patterns designed especially by Bobian.
Bobian describes herself as a self-taught artist. "My grandmother sewed and her mother before that. I was born in Buford [Township, N.C.], where everybody always did something with their hands." She buys her fabric solely from New York specialty shops. "I look for something unique and different — not mainstream. Something I would never see again," she said.
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| Metalwork by Chris Seeman |
Another artist with a New York connection is Chris Seeman, who studied at UT for three years. After working as a jewelry designer for four years in New York's diamond district, Seeman decided to strike out on his own. "I didn't like the whole 9 to 5 thing," he said. Seeman, now based in Cincinnati, travels to art shows to sell his creations.
Seeman works in metals, crafting decorative pieces that can be hung on walls. He begins with a sheet of stainless steel, cutting it into numerous elements. "I then add enameling, gold or copper leaf, balls, nails — whatever I feel," he said. What results is an intricate lattice of shapes and colors — something mystical and intriguing.
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| Ocean jasper and sterling silver ring by Shawn Losey |
Shawn Losey also is familiar with metals — he worked as a welder for 15 years, building boilers. But once his company moved overseas, Losey was laid off and sought an outlet for his talents.
He invested his money in a cabbing machine to cut and polish stones and began making jewelry. "I'm all self-taught. I've used a lot of books," he said with a laugh.
Losey works primarily in silver, using jasper and agate stone types. "If you don't cut your own stones, you're kind of limited to what you can do," he said. Losey has created special-order pieces for customers, but tries to bring a lot of rings to each event. "That seems to be what people like the most," he said.
Losey's drive to Toledo will take five and a half hours from his home in Dansville, N.Y. That's about half the time it will take Bobian to arrive in the Glass City. And Seeman — he's the luckiest of the bunch with his short trip up Interstate 75.
But no matter how long it will take for them to arrive, the artists are glad to be a part of Art on the Mall. "I tried it as a lark, and I've been pleased with it ever since," Seeman said, who's exhibiting for the eighth time. "It's a real treat."
For those who want more than just one day of art, the Kick-Off Gala for Art on the Mall will be held Saturday, July 30, at 6 p.m. in the Student Union Auditorium. Area restaurants will set up grazing stations for the event. Live jazz music and a silent auction of artists' pieces also will be part of the evening. Costs are $50 a person and $25 for Art on the Mall volunteers.
For tickets or more information on the events, contact Slough at 419.530.7859.
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