Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 7 October 1995 — Page 43

Arts Market returns to Union Station

By STEVE THOMAS Staff Writer Bone-crunching hits, the roar of the sellout RCA Dome crowd and the blare and flair of marching bands accompany the annual Circle City Classic football contest. But thousands of visitors, who descend on Indianapolis annually, come for the entire Circle City extravaganza as much as for the cornerstone Black-college football game. Invariably, tourists will amble through restaurants, nightclubs, department stores and the annual Indiana Black Expo 1995 Classic Arts Market. The art exhibition and marketplace, which is in its fourth year, will be held during Circle City Classic weekend. Works by area and regional artists will be on display, with many of the pieces on sale, Friday, Oct. 6 through Sunday, Oct. 8 at Union Station. The Arts Market is not merely a place to glimpse oil paintings. There will be sculpture on sale as well as items to decorate mirrors, light switches and other household fixtures, event coordinator and IBE Art Committee Cochair Denise Bates says. This annual exhibition is an economic boost

to members of the arts community. But it is also a stimulant of commerce for Union Station merchants, according to Bates. "We have it patterned loosely after the Notional Black Arts Festival Artists Market," Bates says, emphasizing how the annual Atlanta exhibition, and the shopping center surrounding it, prosper. "They took a distressed (Greenbrier) shopping center and said: 'We're going to have something and do it every year. It would help visibility.'" It works for business. Hence, Union Station merchants know, from example, the concept can only help the downtown retail area. "It would possibility raise the visibility of the retail level with African-American customers," Bates says. Union Station looks forward to the event. "We have a really good relationship with Union Station,” Bates says, passing along good news received from Union Station Assistant Marketing Director Annette McCammon. "A couple of the merchants asked if we were coming this year." After three seasons, the event remains welcome. "It's an annual thing,” McCammon says, pointing out the art show is one of many events

1995 Classic Arts Market Friday, Oct. 6 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 8 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

which the Circle City Classic weekend annually brings to Indianapolis. "It brings so many people to the downtown area. We continue to be a part of it. We've gotten a real good response in the past... from the merchants and from the general public. We like to be a part of it."

There is a new kid on the downtown retail block. Circle Centre Mall. It may be a nice hangout for all Indianapolis visitors, but traditional Arts Market spectators and shoppers are still likely to check out their usual stomping grounds, Bates says. "It probably won't deter from our market," Bates says. "Our market is successful by word of mouth. They'll go to Circle Center. But, they'll come to our market, too."

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