Uncle Fun’s Over-Stuffed Suitcases of Spectacular Haitian Art

In 2014, after 38 years in business, artist and entrepreneur Ted Frankel (aka Uncle Fun), closed his Chicago store which sold unique collectibles as well as tricks, trinkets and toys. Uncle Fun eventually moved to Baltimore and opened Sideshow, a fun and funky store at the American Visionary Museum. Relocating led to downsizing so Frankel packed much of his amazing collection of Haitian Art into suitcases and sent them to the Waterloo Center for the Arts. Thanks to this generous gift from Frankel and Bill Gilmore, the Waterloo Center for the Arts acquired over 104 objects from Haiti, including more than 80 beaded and sequined flags, many of which are being exhibited for the first time.

Credit: Exhibition overview from museum website