WAR EAGLE, Ark. — Visitors from all across the country come to the War Eagle Craft Fair to appreciate people’s creativity, and one vendor says visual arts aren't the only form to admire.
"We decorate space with art. We decorate time with music," says Aviva Tu, founder and owner of the Aviva brand.
Originating from Taiwan, Tu was trained in the classical arts of piano and violin throughout her life. As an adult, she moved to the U.S. to teach violin courses in Chicago, but recently she moved to Eureka Springs, inspired by the natural landscape.
At the start of the pandemic in 2020, Tu began her music souvenir shop after noticing a lack of products in the market for people passionate about music.
Along with teaching her students and practicing the violin herself, she began to learn the art of sewing and design, saying her dedication to learning an instrument gave her the discipline to learn new skills.
"Violin and piano are both very hard instruments to learn— they're very classical. But once we master that, we are able to use the same method with all different creations," says Tu.
She says she wants to incorporate music into all areas of her life because it has never failed her.
Tu says, "When I play for people, I see the spark in their eyes, the joyfulness... without words, sometimes it's more meaningful. We can play the music: It's a language."
This year is Tu's first time coming to the War Eagle Craft Fair. She says she was surprised to be accepted as a vendor, and will surely look forward to coming back again next year.
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