THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, October 20, 1996 TAG: 9610200044
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY STEVE STONE, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: 49 lines
What to buy isn't the problem. But how to pay for it. . . .
``I left my (credit) cards and checkbook at home,'' said Nancy Lyons of Virginia Beach after an hour perusing offerings at the Stockley Gardens Fall Arts Festival. ``I brought $75, and I've already seen about $200 worth of things I want to buy. I may have to go home for reinforcements.''
Her options were many as she wandered displays by 135 artists featuring oil paintings, water colors, pottery, drawings, metal work, photography, glasswork and more.
The day was pleasant with enough of a chill to make one appreciate the sunlight - or a cup of hot cider.
As with Lyons, the problem for many folks was what to buy without overspending.
``I have my heart set on one of those coffee clocks,'' said Shannon Dawson of Norfolk. ``They're so much fun.''
The clocks, made of copper and aluminum by artist Susan Mariner, are among many works that will make folks smile. The one Dawson had spotted features hands shaped like a knife and fork. The timepiece is over a table with a white aluminum tablecloth. On it is a small copper coffee cup with copper strands of ``steam'' rising in curls from it.
``I could just stare at it for hours,'' Dawson said. ``So I better not bring it to work if I get it.''
Another artist whose work is somewhat whimsical is Debra B. Chako of Virginia Beach. Her trademark: chairs.
Funny chairs?
``In college I majored in architecture, and chairs are a mini unit of architecture,'' Chako said. ``There's human scale, structure, support and design. And I just like chairs.''
Hers are nothing like you'll likely find in any dining room or office, however. ``They wouldn't be very comfortable.''
The chairs seem charged with energy. The backs rise in curls; the legs are poised as if to leap; colors are often wild and vibrant.
Many look like they came to life from the twisted visions of the movie ``Beetlejuice.''
It's a suggestion Chako's heard before.
``I have thought of `Beetlejuice' a number of times after I've finished something,'' Chako said. ``But not when I am making them.'' MEMO: The arts festival continues today from noon to 5 p.m. in Stockley
Gardens, off Olney Road in Ghent. by CNB