Guerrillas invade Fulton Market
Showcase for local independent artists
06/09/2012 12:35 PM
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Guerrilla Truck Show Organizer Lori Oelhafen
I have four framed Miami Art Deco Festival posters, a couple
of Andy Warhol reproduction prints, and a bright yellow French ad poster for
Fromages Francais—with a smiling black cat holding a wheel of cheese in his
paws, proclaiming “Fantastique.”
Our furniture is a mish-mash of French country that is
perhaps slightly out of place in a modern, exposed ductwork, loft apartment.
I’m probably not qualified to
speak on the subject of collecting art or furnishings. Some years back, I told
an art curator acquaintance that if I had his job I’d most likely stock up on
Mardi Gras posters and M.C. Escher prints. He winced, paused, and replied:
“Fortunately, that will never happen.”
If you’re not a grad student at the Art Institute of
Chicago, but you have a blank space on your wall or floor that could use
brightening up, I recommend the Guerrilla Truck Show on Tuesday, June 12, from
5:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Fulton Market between Morgan and Racine. Admittance is
free.
This art and furniture fair, in its 8th year,
began as an under-the-radar collection of independent artists. Lori Oelhafen of
Morlen Sinoway Atelier, one of the event organizers, told me they started with
five trucks. Now, it's grown to a 500-pound gorilla.
“We’re up to 50 trucks,” Oelhafen said. “It’s a great opportunity for local artists to show their work, and for us to support them. Most can’t afford a booth at larger settings. We only charge them a $75 exhibit fee.
"The first year, we had a few hundred people come to the show," she said. "We've grown over time and probably will get a couple of thousand Tuesday night. This year, even the Merchandise Mart is promoting our event.”
The trucks will be set up along Fulton Market, to show and sell their creations. Food and drink will be available from Big Delicious Planet as well as Sam Adams Beer and Barefoot Wine.
Music will be provided by a DJ and a roaming accordion player.