River North site not fair, some artists complain

The artistic temperament at the Gold Coast Art Fair wasdecidedly gloomy Sunday.

Huddling under plastic tents and umbrellas on the event's lastday, many of the 600 or so artists showing their wares complainedabout the weather and the whereabouts of the fair, which moved fromits old Gold Coast site to the River North area this year.

"I've been in the show since the start and I've done aboutone-tenth the business I do at the old location," said Minnesotaartist Robert J. Winship. "The rain is one thing. They can'tregulate it, but to be next to I-94's traffic?"

Winship was referring to the spot he was given to show hisbronze wildlife sculptures, on a narrow sidewalk, with trafficwhizzing by toward the expressway. The show used to be in the RushStreet area between Cedar and Chicago.

"It's a dangerous location," Winship said of the new site. "It'sspread out so far that nobody can find anything. And there's noromance. It's a fine show that has just gone down the tubes. I'veheard people say they won't come back."

The fair drew about 456,000 people, according to policeestimates, compared with last year's approximately 800,000. Fairorganizers said the rain Friday and Sunday was the main reason forthe drop.

But many artists blamed the location, too.

"They've uprooted the whole thing, and now the trees have died,"said River Forest artist Phillip C. Thompson. "On a rainy day likethis, it really caps off the anger."

Not all of the artists complained, however.

"We started not to like it," said Bob Cousins of Wilmette, ashis wife, Catherine, was putting away her shell and silver jewelry."But business (Saturday) was good, and that is the day to compare, sowe can't complain. The location has been very good."

Eric C. Becker, a ceramics artist set up on Clark Street, said:"Even in the rain, I've sold much better than I expected. It's goodclientele over here."

The fair's organizer, Arnie Matanky, editor and publisher of theNear North News, said the move was decided at a held meeting in Mayby Ald. Burton F. Natarus (42nd) that included art gallery groupsand merchants from both the old and new neighborhoods.

"The purpose of the fair is to increase business in theneighborhood, like any other art fair," Matanky said. "Most artistsrecognize that. We hope they do well because we want them back, butthat is not the goal.

"Artists, even those who tend to be bohemian types, are stillvery conservative. They resist any change just because it isdifferent."