Levis Commons art fair thrives

PERRYSBURG – The folks at the Levis Commons Fine Art Fair were in a holiday mood.
Folk art, much with Christmas and Halloween themes, won Best of Show honors, and two days of fine weather
brought out what organizers believe were the best crowds ever.
The art fair, presented Saturday and Sunday at the Town Center at Levis Common, featured 125 artists and
attracted about 40,000, according to Max Clayton, of the The Guild of Artists and Artisans.
In 2008 the show brought in approximately 35,000, organizers said.
"Walk into any booth and there’s a crowd," said Clayton. "It’s getting better and better
every year."
She said a number of artists noted that "this is a very knowledgeable arts audience," Clayton
said. To have the community support an art event is "really special."
The Guild, she added, is committed to continuing to support the event, which started in 2005.
Best of show winner Maria Pfropper, a first time exhibitor at the show, said she was pleased with the
recognition her work received. "It’s always a thrill … It’s nice that people appreciate your
work."
The Dryden, Mich., artist paints colorful folk scenes including Halloween witches sailing by a crescent
moon, Noah’s Ark, Santa, sailors and Abe Lincoln. Her booth featured both originals and reproductions.

The self-taught artist said she started creating these folk images when she had a home of her own and
wanted these kind of Americana images. She couldn’t find it, so she created her own. She started on the
art fair circuit 30 years ago, selling Christmas ornaments.
"It started as a hobby," Pfropper said. "Now it’s a passion more than a hobby." The
show?s First Place Award also went to a first time Levis exhibitor, Mel Fleck, of Louisville, Ky., who
for more than 20 years created acid prints featuring ancient Egyptian themes with his wife Jan. Though
Jan Fleck died a couple years ago, Mel Fleck continues to tour the art circuit.
The couple studied Egyptian lore for 30 years. He directed a school for autistic children and she was an
artist when they decided to start selling their work. Then they learned how to etch together, Fleck
said,
They created a body of Egyptian-influenced work and that allowed them to travel and make a living
together.
Though he briefly considered stopping after her death, Fleck, who continues to create new work, decided
to stay on the art fair circuit, and he said he continues to feel his wife?s presence in the work they
developed as a team.
The variety illustrated by Pfropper?s Americana images and the Flecks? Egyptian etchings is what
attracted Bruce and Debbie Geldine, of Martin, to the show.
?I wish I was that talented,? Debbie Geldine said. Instead she enjoys seeing what others create and
talking with the artists about their work.
?I?m intrigued by the creativity,? said Georgia Moser, of Perrysburg. She?s attended the art fair all
five years and came both Saturday and returned Sunday with her daughter.
Furniture maker Steve Munn, of Indianapolis, said he saw a number of people who came back on Sunday. With
the economy the way it is, people are considering their purchases. ?There?s less spontaneous buying.?

?My Sundays are getting a lot bigger than my Saturdays,? Munn said. When they do come back, some are
deciding to buy several pieces.
On Sunday Jan Merki and Sandy Belinske, both of Sylvania, were on the hunt for jewelry. They come each
year, and appreciate the selection. About a fifth of the exhibitors are jewelers.
Alan and Melissa Collins, of Northwood, said they come every year, though they mostly browse.
With two children in tow, they like the activities geared toward youngsters. ?The kids like to make
little crafts,? Melissa Collins said.
Alan Collins said he was impressed with how far people travel to show their work. ?I like to see how
creative people can be,? he said.
And despite the down economy, people still find the money to buy art.
Clayton said artists were reporting good sales. One artist sold eight paintings within a couple hours of
opening on Saturday, she said.
Fleck said in his travels from Arizona to Maryland, he?s experienced the softening economy for the past
several years.
Now he senses people are more comfortable making purchases. Often they?re buying to furnish an addition
to their home or a new home and that leads him to believe that people feel ?things have bottomed out.?

Jeweler Anne Monheit, of Ann Arbor, said she sells at a farmers market back in Ann Arbor and believes
people are increasingly interested in ?buying local,? whether it?s food or art. They want to keep money
in their communities, she said. ?I?m seeing that more and more.?
Art fair prize winners
Award winners at the Fifth Annual Levis Commons Fine Art Fair were:
¥ Best of Show: Maria Pfropper, Dryden, Mich., folk art.
¥ First place: Mel and Jan Fleck, Louisville, Ky., printmaking.
¥ Second place: Adam Egenogg, Bloomington, Ind., ceramics
¥ Honorable mention: Gregory and Jean Smith, Mattawan, Mich., glass; Bond Blackman, Kansas City, jewelry;
Cyndy Callog, Pentwater, Mich., painting; and Martin and Margaret Gaiti, Beachwood, sculpture.
Levis Art show. Kathy Schneider (left) and Janene Fentress examine some of the art in booth 030. (Photos:
Aaron Carpenter/Sentinel-Tribune)