Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, April 4, 1994 TAG: 9404040138
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MAG POFF STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
"I usually work at home," DeVine explained.
At the market on Sunday, on the other hand, she has a chance to interact with customers, talk to other artists and make friends. Just like in school.
Crowds were sparse Sunday, the second week of the program, because of the Easter holiday and the limited publicity.
DeVine paints children's faces and offers some of her paintings for sale. Sunday brought her a commission to paint a memorial plaque for a pet cat's grave, and she traded a painting of an angel for a piece of pottery by a fellow artist.
She's enthusiastic about improving attendance during the summer if enough people put energy into the program.
"I think this is going to be a fun thing," DeVine said. "It's fun to have it to look forward to Sundays."
About 30 downtown retailers also will keep their stores open from 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays through the last weekend in September.
Fifteen stalls were rented Sunday, according to Ashley Waldvogel, marketing manager for Downtown Roanoke Inc. She expects the number to expand as the season progresses.
There's music too. Radar Rose appeared Sunday as well as Jane Gabrielle and Sonny Campbell.
Dorothy Pilachowski of Roanoke came to the market because her mother, Pat Mead, heard about Art Sunday on the radio.
Her children, Emily, 14, Andrew, 10, and James, 7, all had their faces decorated by DeVine. Their friend, Jonathan Post of Salem, passed up the face painting.
Pilachowski said she was disappointed in the poor turnout but pleased with the artists. "It's early," she said. "I want to come back on another Sunday."
Vernetta King of Roanoke brought along her father, Harry King, and Belinda Perry of Leesburg to see the City Market as well as the art show.
She also missed the usual crowds on the market but found "a lot of things to get interested in."
Spencer Bryant of Vinton came with his dog, Michael Bullhead Angelo. "I just got out of church and didn't have anything else to do," Bryant said.
Dogs were more than welcome at Cafe Woeuf (get it?), which was serving juices and soft drinks.
It was staffed by Darcel Walters, who sketched the market scene as she waited for customers in front of Books, Strings and Things, owned by her husband, Richard Walters.
The cafe is for people who bring their dogs to the market and thus cannot go inside other establishments for refreshments, she said.
Ron Clifton of Ridgeway rented a stall Sunday "to get my art out of the closet.
"I've been making this stuff for years but never put it on display before. This is it," he said.
A construction worker, Clifton picks up discarded pieces of wood and metal from job sites to make jewelry and constructions. He also paints motorcycle helmets to order.
His goal, Clifton said, is some day "to make a living at my art."
Herman Chittum, whose wife owns House of Frames at 11 S. Jefferson St., intends to sell at the store weekdays and in a market stall on Sundays.
Sales should be better on the market Sundays, he said, but "I'll never get rich. I'm glad all five of my kids are through college."
Debbie Harris of Roanoke was exhibiting her paintings, drawings and recycled art for the first time on the market Sunday.
She intends to return all summer. "I think it's fun to get something like this started." One of the best parts for her was to share ideas with other artists.
Larry Smith of Floyd, a furniture maker, said he will be back with a variety of handmade pieces most of the summer.
He was showing a chess table commissioned by clients in Sun Dance, Utah, the community founded by Robert Redford.
Smith said he brought his furniture to the market for "just some recognition."
Art Sunday is coordinated by V Magazine and Downtown Roanoke Inc.
by CNB