Deborah La More and the ASUNM Crafts Fair have a lot in common, including University affiliation, a love of art and a hiatus from both.
La More brought about 35 examples of her work - framed amalgamations of painting and photography - from her home in Santa Fe to sell at the University where she earned her bachelor's degree in 1994.
The trip marks the first time her work has been on public display in more than six years - since her husband died.
"I needed the experience of doing this on my own," La More said, standing in front of her art. "Before, my husband took care of the business end of my career. It's my love. It's my joy."
The 40th annual ASUNM Holiday Arts and Crafts Fair, which continues from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. today and Thursday in the SUB Ballroom, is also a resurgence of sorts.
The fair was noticeably absent from UNM during the SUB's three-year renovation.
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The 2003 edition of the fair is different than in year's past "because we're in a bigger, better, renovated building," said Zara Southard, director of the ASUNM Craft Studio, who is herself a ceramics major. "It's been crazy. We were getting calls for vendor spots all the way up until Monday."
More than 80 vendors bought three-day passes at $75 each for the fair, Southard said, more than any previous year.
Those vendors, who came from as far away as Colorado, transformed the SUB Ballroom into a veritable Scarborough Fair, hocking wares such as hand-blown glass, ceramics, paintings and jewelry.
Student fees, Associated Students of UNM funds and vendor fees pay overhead costs for the event, ASUNM Sen. Tim Reed said, adding that money generated from fair fees goes into a fund for next year.
ASUNM actually expects to lose "a few hundred bucks," Southard said, but that's not what the fair is about.
"The point is to give artists a chance to sell their work and get it out there," she said.
Albuquerque potter Richard Ward, who works out of his home studio in the Southeast part of town, said art is a side business for him.
"I'm out here doing the old gypsy-craftsperson routine," he said.
Ward said he received his teaching certificate at UNM, which enabled him to work for the Albuquerque Public School System for 14 years, a job he still maintains on a substitute basis.
He also earned his master's degree in creative writing at the University.
Ward's bowls, plates, platters and flowerpots have the look of old Pueblo-style ceramics.
A veteran of countless summertime Saturday Growers Markets, Ward said he wasn't surprised that business was a little slow Tuesday.
"These things are always feast or famine," he said. "I don't know if it's the stars or what that controls this. But there's always hope."
Perhaps Ward's lack of sales early on at the fair was a result of the increased number of merchants.
Southard said passes used to cost in the $125 range, but ASUNM lowered the price to attract more vendors after the fair's hiatus. Maybe in the future, she added, the price will go back up.
"Unfortunately, we probably aren't going to make any money this year," Southard said. "Hopefully one day we will."
Ward wasn't the only one who hadn't had any success as of midday Tuesday.
"People have been really interested," La More said of her work. "But maybe the prices are a little steep for students."
She said her photographs cost between $75 and $200.
More recent projects include a sort of found art, which employs different kinds of paper bags, La More said, adding that she plans to return to the fair next year.
"Maybe I can show that next time I come," she said.
