The Seal Beach Art Association has submitted a special event permit application to the city to hold the annual Seal Beach Arts and Crafts Fair. The association’s website says the fair will be held Saturday, Sept. 7, and Sunday, Sept. 8. However, some artists reportedly haven’t heard from the event’s organizer, belinda, formerly of belinda’s Art on Glass on Main Street. Belinda (who had her name legally changed to be simply belinda, with a small b) closed the shop last year.
Artist Laura Knight said she had been trying to reach belinda, but her old number was disconnected. Knight said there was no number for the Art Association.
“A few of us artists have sent in money and applications and have not heard word one,” Knight said.
“We’re getting a little concerned,” she said.
Jim Basham, director of Community Development Services, said the city’s recreation staff had received the paperwork requesting the special event permit to hold the annual fair.
Tim Kelsey, Seal Beach recreation director for the Community Services Department, confirmed that the association had submitted a special event permit.
The Art Association’s website provides a regular mail address for submitting applications. The website also provides a link to the Dankha Gallery on Main Street.
However, John Dankha said he is not officially involved with the association.
“I set up the website as a favor to belinda who heads the art association since I am part of the community and a show participant for over a decade now, but aside from that, I don’t have any official association with the Seal Beach Art Association,” Dankha said.
“Her move up to the local mountains has made it more challenging to get a hold of her, but not impossible,” Dankha said.
“As far as I know, and from previous discussions I have had with belinda, the show is still on the weekend following labor day weekend,” he said.
Dankha provided the Sun with a cell phone number for belinda, but warned that her reception was spotty.
He also said he would try to reach her in the next couple of weeks.
But if Dankha is not part of the Seal Beach Art Association, why was his business listed on the special event permit?
“The only thing I would guess is because belinda knew it would be harder for her to stay in touch with people,” Dankha said.
He said that locals like him have always helped organize the show.
“Every year, I would go around and take pictures of the participants and their booths to promote the show,” he said.
“Last year I even went on the local TV show with belinda to promote the show,” he said.
This year, however, has been different.
“We even missed the deadline to answer the email to appear on the local TV show,” Dankha said.
“I am confident she will put the show together, it’s just been harder for people to get a hold of her,” he said.
