In the '80's when art fairs were "the" place to shop as there were no Pottery Barns, Crate and Barrels or even TJ Max with cool handmade looking goods people flocked to the art fairs and one of the most exciting was Ann Arbor in July. An enterprising artist decided Ann Arbor could use a winter show and Audree Levy started the Invitational Winter Art Fair that was held at the Track and Tennis Building on the University of Michigan campus. It was a hit! The parking lot would be stuffed and people lined up in the cold outside to get in. She added a Spring show. This was in the days before there were too many shows and artists were glad to have the opportunity to show their wares to the Ann Arbor-Detroit audience.
Audree produced these shows for many years and added one in Bay Harbor, MI, near where her sons settled in Charlevoix. Audree and her children, David, Marc and Amy were known to all of us. She did a wonderful job of running the shows and they were places where we could earn some money in the "shoulder" season of the business. She was loyal to her artists and always ready to listen and help. Plus, she was cute and fun to be around and everyone loved her.
As I was reaching out to old friends this week I went to her Facebook page and see that she died in early October of 2011. My condolences to Audree's family. I know she was a great mom and I'm sure she is watching over you. The artist community misses her smiles.
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