Institutionalizing the ephemeral - Talbott Street and its art fair

Much has been written concerning the decline and selective renewal of inner -city neighbourhoods. The abandonment of these areas by significant institu tions accelerated their decline and deprived them of both jobs and neighbor hood identity. Using a participant observation approach, the development of a street fair and the redevelopment of an inner-city slum are analyzed ove r a twenty-two-year period (1978-1998). The study focuses on the role of th is "ephemeral institution" (an art fair) on the renewal of the local neighb orhood. This article also includes an analysis of the traveling community o f artists who exhibit at the fair and their relationship with the host comm unity.