Art fair brings 'glimmer of light to neighborhood'

By Angela Deines
Special to The Capital-Journal
Published Sunday, September 09, 2007

Bright colors, the smell of barbecue and the sound of music filled the air Saturday as the Aaron Douglas Art Fair celebrated its second year in central Topeka.

The event, planned by the Topeka Turnaround Team, featured established and first-time artists and musicians who displayed their talents at the Aaron Douglas Art Park between S.W. Lane and Washburn, north of Dillons on S.W. Huntoon.

Lacey Keller, 21, co-chairwoman of the art fair committee, said it is important to keep the fair at the same location as the Aaron Douglas mural site at S.W. 12th and Lane and in that part of central Topeka.

"I think the biggest thing is the energy it (the fair) gives to this part of the community," she said. "It's just a great way to celebrate Aaron Douglas' commitment to this city, and we want to keep that nice homegrown feeling."

The late Topeka-born artist has been called "the father of African-American art" and the "tastemaker" of the Harlem Renaissance.

Andrea Billings-Graham, 25, an art fair committee member, grew up near S.W. 11th and Washburn. She said she is delighted the art fair is taking place in an area of Topeka that most people have written off.

"This gives a glimmer of light to this neighborhood," she said. "I'm just so happy it's here."
Longtime Tennessee Town resident Barbara Leal, 82, said the art fair showcases the Douglas mural and the other positive changes that have taken place in the central Topeka neighborhood.
"This neighborhood is perceived as being unsafe," she said. "But there's something about music and art that really pulls people together, and you can see that here today."

Karen Hiller, chairwoman of the art fair committee and a member of the Topeka Turnaround Team, said committee members envisioned the fair to feature "diverse and emerging artists" and highlight Douglas' artistic contributions to black heritage.

"It (the fair) really took off from the mural project," she said. "It's about bringing the park alive and bringing Aaron Douglas to life."

Seventeen local artists displayed their work at the fair, along with performances from local musical groups.

Retired surgeon Dr. Mark Saylor, 65, who has displayed his paintings only with the Topeka Art Guild, was a first-time exhibitor at the event.

"I got personal encouragement to do so, so I decided to do it," he said. "It's a beautiful day, what more can I say?"

Maxine Bermudez displayed her artwork at last year's fair when there were only a handful of fellow artists showcasing their work.

She said she was glad to see more artists this year at the family-oriented event. "I can see this growing every year," she said. "This is a community of talented people here."

Local artist Michelle Leivan's artwork depicting a Kansas sunflower was the featured art piece of Saturday's event. The oil painting has been on display in Gov. Kathleen Sebelius' appointments secretary's office at the Statehouse but was brought out for those attending Saturday's event to view.

Having exhibited at the art fair last year, Leivan said she was honored to have the sunflower piece chosen as the featured piece this year.

Angela Deines is a freelance
writer in Topeka. She can be reached at amdeines@aol.com.