HISTORY
Fulton Art Fair was formed in 1958 for the exhibition, promotion and publication of the fine and performing arts in the City & State of New York, consisting primarily of artists of African American descent; the stimulation and encouragement of community interest in the field of fine and performing arts, the development and achievement of creativity as an expression of the community's statu
s and heritage. Founded by Shirley Hawkins, a Bedford Stuyvesant businesswoman and co-chaired by artists Ernest Crichlow and Jacob Lawrence. The Fair's focus was the presentation and promotion of artistic talents native of Bedford Stuyvesant in an attempt to offset the negative images of the community prevalent in the media at that time. The annual event, held in Fulton Park, is easily accessible by public transit and the Park is handicap accessible. Out of pocket funds from members and the public at large supported the Fair for many years, until Assemblyman Albert Vann offered help in the late 1990s. Through his support, programming and amenities (i.e. Chairs, sound equipment, video access, and advertisement) were easier to obtain and the Fair expanded its services. One could say that Fulton Art Fair began the "art explosion" in Bedford Stuyvesant. In 1958 few people knew their neighbors were painters, musicians, performers; most had never been to an art gallery or museum. Today, art galleries, studios, performing art groups abound and collectors of fine art works are multiplying. We have hope that interest in live performances, too, will be reborn as more people become reacquainted with the excitement of these performances. Fulton Art Fair continues to promote and publicize the arts. Art is, after all, the audio/visual history of our people and the artists are the storytellers of that history. Fulton Art Fair is a showcase of artists, communicating the stories, sights and sounds of a people's experience from the homeland to their travels across the seas to new lands.
