Ugandan bark cloth painting and welded T-Rex among finds from Hazel Park Art Fair • Oakland County Times

Ugandan painting on bark cloth and welded T-Rex among finds from Hazel Park art fair

Ugandan painting on bark cloth and welded T-Rex among finds from Hazel Park art fair

(Crystal A. Proxmire, September 30, 2021)

Hazel Park, MI – “You’re a little rad (ish)” and “Oats in a boat” are some of the creative phrases that have been immortalized on paper and shared with the world by Clawson-based artist Mady Chen.

Like dozens of other local artists, Chen had a booth at the annual Hazel Park Art Fair that graces Green Acres for a weekend every summer. This was only Chen’s second art fair, and she enjoyed selling personalized newspapers, greeting cards, and mugs.

“I love it,” Chen said. “I have an Etsy store, but it’s different because I can interact with people looking at my work. What I like best is the people who ask me if I am the artist.

Block printed designs are engraved in rubber blocks before being used as a stamp on the various products. “I had a couple who bought a newspaper. They had a minor in printmaking in college, and they talked to me and gave me advice.

Interactions with art fairs can help local artists gain self-confidence. Jeff Lockhart is an introverted artist who pushes himself to come and put his work there. He is a commercial welder who developed his artistic side by creating little creatures and designs with his torch. “It started with outright boredom,” he said. “One day I started to draw with the torch. Then I started working on railroad bolts, adding drip functionality. His favorite is a large T-Rex dinosaur he made for his son.

The Huntington Woods man came from a family of artists, his father being a professional watercolourist and illustrator. “We would sit in our own areas and he would give us assignments,” he said, recalling the summers in Frankfurt and the sketchbooks on the beach.

Her sisters pursued more creative paths, but Lockhart was happy to return to the art and make it his own. “My first piece I made was a little t-rex skeleton for my son when he was young.” With themes of animals, faces, nature, space creatures and more, Lockhart’s collection gives passersby reason to smile. “I like to see the reactions on people’s faces. The kids are really excited.

For those who like their metals a little more shiny, Christin Borowski and his Hypnotica stand offered rings and necklaces with stones and crystals. She also wove henna bracelets that decorate the hands. “I like the way it looks,” she said. “It’s like a second layer of skin.” To put on the sleeves, you have to pull the main string towards your heart and make a wish.

Borowski has been organizing art fairs for 21 years. His advice to other artists would be to “be patient with yourself and your process.” It doesn’t happen overnight.

In addition to local artists, Hazel Park Art Fair hosted artwork from Uganda. James Green went to Uganda as a Marine in 2012 and developed friendships with local artists. “There is no tourism in Uganda, so it is very difficult for local artists to sell their work,” he said. After leaving the Marines, he created a non-profit organization that helps provide safe drinking water in Uganda. He sells imported ugandan art and donates 25% of the profits to the group, called Buckets of water. At his stand were wood carvings and paintings made on bark paper.

The booths also included community groups and visitor resources. Oakland Hope was on hand with school supplies for the children and resources on voting and employee rights. My Place, a mental health center in Oak Park, had attendees on hand to talk about their support groups, recovery groups, and resources for people with mental health issues. “It’s a great place to socialize and not isolate yourself,” said Ella Taylor-White, who sits on the board. “We have a computer lab, an art room, vacation functions, Forgotten Harvest and a breakfast each morning. “

Visitors were able to enjoy art, learn resources, savor local food trucks, listen to live music, and watch aerial performers.

Find out more about the Hazel Park Art Fair visit www.hpartfair.org.