Midsummer Nights' Fair puts focus on the arts

By Tami Althoff

Published: July 9, 2008

NORMAN — Once again, Lions Park will be transformed into a town square when the Firehouse Art Center presents its annual Midsummer Nights' Fair. The fair will be from 6 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday in the park at Flood Avenue and Symmes Street.

The fair will feature 44 booths with art from local and regional artists. Art will include everything from paintings to pottery, said Carla Chew, projects coordinator for the Firehouse Art Center.

"The Firehouse Art Center's primary mission is art education, and we continue to prioritize entries from visual arts,” Chew said. "There are more painters and jewelers, with some potters and wood turners.”

Additionally, pottery, jewelry and paintings produced by Firehouse Art Center instructors will be for sale under the big tent, Chew said.

On the perimeter of the big tent, Firehouse instructors will be demonstrating the process of all art media taught at the Firehouse. The demonstrations were new last year, and turned out to be a big hit, Chew said.

"The response was overwhelming,” she said. "We had innumerable comments about how important parents thought it was for kids to see the process of creating art. We will be doing the same thing again this year.”

Also returning this year is the kids' art wall. Local artists and instructors will be available to help children express themselves with paint on the art wall, and free T-shirts will be given out to the first 75 children who participate in the project. Children also will be able to make raku pottery.

Chew said most people know about the Firehouse Art Center's adult programs, but many still do not know about the children's programs offered throughout the year.

"As funding for art in the schools has decreased, we continued to try to expand our offerings so that more of Norman's children receive opportunities to participate in quality visual art experiences,” Chew said.

There also will be an adult art wall, food vendors and live music.

Taking the main stage Friday will be Franklin Brothers at 6 p.m., Joe Whitecotton Quartet at 7 p.m. and Banana Seat at 9 p.m. On the second stage will be McMichael Music at 4 p.m., Never Satisfied at 6 p.m., Gregg Standridge at 7 p.m., Thomas Anderson at 8 p.m., Bungalouski at 9 p.m. and Mama Sweet at 10 p.m.

On Saturday, music on the main stage will begin at 6 p.m. with Jump Seat. Talk of the Town will play at 7 p.m., followed by Full Circle at 9 p.m. On the second stage, McMichael Music will perform at 4 p.m., followed by Ivan Pena at 6 p.m., Wess McMichael and Richard Hass at 7 p.m., Thomas Anderson at 8 p.m., Maggie McClure at 9 p.m. and Resident Funk at 10 p.m.

Admission to the fair is free. For more information, call 329-4523.

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