University of Michigan - Michiganensian Yearbook (Ann Arbor, MI)

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THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASSES ... and other assorted: artworks on sale on East Universi- ; ty during the Art Fair. MARC RUSSELL of the Blue Front Persuaders, a popular local rock-n ' -blues band, performed at the Graceful Arch at the Art Fair ast summer. TAKING A BOW . . . This violin- ist played on the intersection of State St. and East William. 204 ART FAIR

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Nichols Arboretunrn A place of peace and beauty n 1906, Walter Hammond Nichols ( ' 91) and his wife Ester Conner Nichols ( ' 94) donated 27 acres of land between Ged- des Road and the Huron River to the University of Michigan. Eight of these acres were designated for a botanical garden and arbore- tum. The following year, a nationally recognized landscaper, Ossian Cole Simonds ( ' 78), was hired by the University to design the garden. Simonds developed what is known today as the Nichols Arboretum. The first director over the arboretum was George P. Burns who served from 1907 to 1910 and is considered the father of Nichols Arbore- tum. Burns was a professor of botany at the University. It was soon discovered that this land, chosen as the site for the botanical garden, was unsuitable. In 1914, the University purchased a new site to house the gardens, and the original site became known simply as the Arbo- retum. The area was not officially named Nichols Ar- boretum until 1923. Much of the continued in- terest in the care and quality of the Arboretum can be attributed to Aubrey Tealdi, a professor of Landscape Gardening who worked at the University from 1909 to 1934. With Tealdi at the helm, there were at least 75 different species of trees and shrubs available for observa- tion at the arboretum. The Arboretum continues to be a favorite place among students today. Amy Gagliardi stated, The Arb, to me, provides an alterna- tive reality to the academic side of Michigan. Spending a few hours relaxing among the trees is the perfect compliment to a busy day. The Arb is whatever you want to make it, whether it be a study area, a sun tanning area or a picnic area, said Michelle Klein. Cindy Follman adds, The Arb is a place to discover. It is a place to be by yoursef, to be with friends, to play frisbee, to go sailing ... U-M is fortunate to have a place preserved for us to spend time and better under- stand nature, at an institu- tion where it is easy to be- come on the verge of forgetting. By S. Simon and B. Horowitz THE ARB OFFERS a quiet, open place to exercise . . . ... OR SIMPLY just to kick back and catch up on some much-needed sleep. NICHOLS ARBORETUM 19

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Summer Art Fair The fair still draws huge crowds very year around the end of July, a cur- ious pilgrimage to the streets of Ann Arbor takes place. Over 400,000 people flock to Ann Arbor for a common pur- pose to take part in the an- nual Art Fair. The Art Fair combines artwork, music, and cuisine to create a unique atmos- phere of creativity, original- ity, and excitement. The Art Fair consists of three regions. The Michigan Guild is responsible for the State Street area between East Williams and South University as well as Main Street. The Guild officially terms its section the Sum- mer Arts Festival. The State Street Merchants and the South University Street Fair (the original site of the fair) account for the remaining area. Summer Arts Festival coordinator Mary Strope noted, Our (the Michigan Guild ' s) part of the fair con- sists of approximately 540 artists and all three sections of the fair account for a little under 1000 artists. Crowds were somewhat smaller than usual at this year ' s fairs, during their 28th year, but the unusually unre- lenting heat of this past sum- mer probably contributed to that. The diversity of art found at the fair ranges from the more popular media of painting, sculpture, ceramics, and jewelry to the more un- common art forms of batik, metalwork, weaving, and stained or blown glass. Music can be found to suit any mood or taste. Groups could be found performing crowd-pleasers that ranged from folk favorites to soulful ballads. In addition to the indepen- dent performers, Eclipse Jazz also scheduled many musi- cians and bands to play on the lawn of the Union. Creative jugglers enter- tained the crowds with feats involving items such as knives, bowling balls, and watermelons. Mimes also roamed the streets entertain- ing bystanders. The Art Fair ' s artists over- whelm the eye with pleasur- able images, the music of the festival appeals to the taste of any ear, the foods that the vendors provide please even the most discriminating pal- ate, and the combination of all these factors cannot be described. It can only be ex- perienced. 4 By Jennifer Worick MR.B ...Mark Braun (left) played his blues piano in the center of the South University-East University intersection. jfHE ABOVE CARVED FI- ' j CURES are indicative of the type of I art that makes the 28 year-old fair i so unique. ART FAIR 21