Arts Fair heats up the square

Artists and art lovers crowded the courthouse lawn Saturday for the 22nd annual Art Fair on the Square. This year, the event was bursting with artistic talent from near and far. \nPeople of all ages braved hot weather to browse among ceramics, photography, wooden musical instruments, jewelry and paintings. The Bloomington Community band provided musical entertainment. \n"(This event) is very well attended. The people really come out," local sculptor, Tena Wenta, said. "It's an educated audience that appreciates art and can understand that it takes time to make pieces. That's always refreshing when you get that kind of audience, and I think Bloomington has that."\nWenta creates functional stonewear and has been a part of the event for five years. \nAmanda Marks, the event coordinator, said there were 58 artists displaying their work this year. \n"This year, there's a good mix of new people and ones who have been around for a while," Marks said. \nThere was also a mixes of types of art -- both decorative and functional. There were wooden cooking spoons that looked almost too nice to use, along with wooden flutes and hand pipes. Next door were decorative pins that had been created from nic-nac memorabilia. Photographs of all types could be found, including those that had been highlighted with paints. In addition, there were paintings that looked as if they could be photos. \nThere were all kinds of pottery, including the work of Susan Snyder, a local artist who's brightly colored work is done in the Italian maiolica tradition. Snyder was introduced to this tradition when she was in Bologna, Italy in an IU program. \n"I went back and studied for a year at a ceramic trade school. It's all inspired by traditional designs, which I apply to different forms," Snyder said.\nBeth Grimm, a veteran attendee of the event, liked what she saw. She especially likes seeing artists who she's seen before, including a woman who creates sculpted cast fish.\n"I have seen her here for 20 years, so she is able to sustain her art, which is wonderful," Grimm said. "Several people are new, which is good for us, but it's really exciting to see people who have been able to continue with their craft because of things like this."\nSusan Blunk, on the other hand, is attending her first Art Fair on the Square. \n"(It's) so much fun, it's wonderful," Blunk said. She also mentioned the fine quality and craftsmanship of the goods.\nThere was even food provided at Saturday's Art Fair on the Square, including refreshments such as "kettle korn" and smoothies from Smoothie King. \n"I think it's a wonderful, wonderful opportunity for the community to get out, and we're from Columbus (Ind.), so we've driven a distance to come here," Grimm said.