54th Ann Arbor Art Fair to bring 1,100 artists - and many thousand more visitors

Posted on Fri, Jul 12, 2013 : 5:47 a.m.

54th Ann Arbor Art Fair to bring 1,100 artists - and many thousand more visitors - to town

By Jenn McKee

• Full coverage of the Ann Arbor Art Fair

Fairgoers wander the 2012 South University Art Fair. The Ann Arbor Art Fair returns July 17-20.

Angela J. Cesere | AnnArbor.com file photo

Even though this year’s 54th annual Ann Arbor Art Fair will, as always, feature a few subtle adjustments and new additions, organizers will be thrilled if this year’s fair looks an awful lot like last year’s.

“I think last year made all the artists very happy,” said “Max” Clayton, director of the Ann Arbor Summer Art Fair. (The Ann Arbor Art Fair actually consists of four juried fairs: Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, the Original; State Street Area Art Fair; Ann Arbor’s South University Art Fair; and AASAF.) “ … We have some artists who’ve been coming for a decade or more, so the Art Fair’s also like reunion for them. And when the weather’s great, people feel good, and there’s more of a party atmosphere. … When you have that kind of environment, everything is better. Sales are better, everyone feels better, and it’s just more fun.”

“Visitorship was up,” Street Art Fair director Maureen Riley said about last year’s event. “Available parking spots were tracked, and they were pretty full, and the shuttles were full. So attendance was terrific, and when that happens, there are more art sales, and more local business sales, and everyone’s happy.”

Rings made from recycled bowling balls by artist Matt Cole at the 2012 State Street Area Art Fair.

Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com file photo

For those who haven’t experienced the Ann Arbor Art Fair, it’s four days (July 17-20) every year when 30 blocks around U-M’s campus and downtown are overtaken by white tents full of every kind of art imaginable—from the practical (furniture, kitchenware) to the “What the … ?” variety, and everything in between—including sculpture, painting, photography, pottery, mixed-media and much more. About 1,100 artists from 38 states and 4 countries will show their work this year.

Many local businesses and restaurants get involved, too, with sidewalk sales and outdoor booths, while musicians and performers do their thing—sometimes on “official” stages, sometimes spontaneously. Plus, there are art activities for kids, as well as artist demonstrations.

So what new things will fairgoers see this year?

For the first time, there will be a fourth shuttle option, on the north side, at Huron High School (music to the ears of those visitors arriving via US-23 and M-14); and thanks to ongoing construction on South University, all the fairs will geographically connect this year.

“Because of the construction, we had the opportunity to look at the layout … and think about working toward making the fairgoer more comfortable, and making the fair easier to navigate, so it’s easier to know where you are,” said Clayton. “With this slight accommodation, now all the fairs are connected. There’s no empty blocks in between, and that’s nice for the fairgoer.”

Another new addition is the Kalahari Resorts misting station in front of the Michigan Union on State Street.

“It will be a nice place to cool down, and there will be some wonderful images there,” said Clayton. “ … You don’t have to run through. You can enjoy the images and … there will be some nice surprises. We’ll have some dancing in streets, and on Friday and Saturday, we’ll have some special guests of the four-legged variety.”

In addition, a Detroit-based street artist will do some large-scale painting at the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair.

As Riley said, “I think we sometimes forget what’s available (at the Art Fair) besides the art.”

Jenn McKee is an entertainment reporter for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at jennmckee@annarbor.com or 734-623-2546, and follow her on Twitter @jennmckee.

Comments

Nicholas Urfe

Fri, Jul 12, 2013 : 6:47 p.m.

Time to flee!

mady

Fri, Jul 12, 2013 : 7:31 p.m.

RUN AWAY! RUN AWAY!!!!

Atticus F.

Fri, Jul 12, 2013 : 4:32 p.m.

My prediction for the Art Fair: Oppresively hot, followed by periods of violent thunder storms.

PattyinYpsi

Sat, Jul 13, 2013 : 2:12 p.m.

Except for last year. The weather was beautiful!

Elijah Shalis

Fri, Jul 12, 2013 : 5:57 p.m.

seems like that every year doesn't it.

Brad

Fri, Jul 12, 2013 : 3:53 p.m.

200,000 tourists coming to town. Woo hoo.

mady

Fri, Jul 12, 2013 : 7:31 p.m.

Yep, I'm thrilled also :(

leezee

Fri, Jul 12, 2013 : 3:50 p.m.

This is when I miss Parthenon most of all. Get a seat on the street. Greek salad with gyro meat along with a few beer and people-watch. The ONLY way to do Art Fair.

Ann English

Fri, Jul 12, 2013 : 11:13 p.m.

Sounds like the Ann Arbor Summer Art Fair is your favorite; it's on State Street, Liberty Steet, and Main Street.

lucinda walsh

Fri, Jul 12, 2013 : 3:29 p.m.

I have heard some of the best artists aren't returning to this show because the public no longer spends enough to make it worthwhile. Does anyone have any insight into that?

halflight

Fri, Jul 12, 2013 : 7:36 p.m.

Lucinda, I've been hearing that since I moved here 30 years ago. Some artists are disappointed with their results, others quite happy. Depends on the year, depends on the artist. In that 30 years, we've moved from 3 to 4 constituent art fairs. Obviously there's a saturation point, but the fairs keep filling up the stalls. As to the "best artists", I don't know how you measure that. I've seen some art and artists over the years that I sincerely wish would go away, but enough people think they qualify as "best" that they come back year after year.

MRunner73

Fri, Jul 12, 2013 : 5:59 p.m.

It would not surprise me as not only fees are higher but, prices are quite high for the art work, even if deserving. The Art Fairs are getting too big. it wouldn't hurt to downsize a bit. On the other hand, good thing it remains at four days.

JRW

Fri, Jul 12, 2013 : 4:23 p.m.

I do know from talking to several artists last year that fees have gotten far too high for many artists and unless you "rake it in," it's not a good venue for many artists. Go to St Joseph's this weekend and see many of the same artists along the bluff's in St Joseph. A wonderful art fair, much more manageable and fun.

sesomai

Fri, Jul 12, 2013 : 1:56 p.m.

Overheard several years ago around mid-July: "It's not art, and it's not fair."

Ann English

Fri, Jul 12, 2013 : 11:09 p.m.

Looking at a lot of the art to be shown for 3 out of the 4 Art Fairs, I think some of it is very pretty. The leather art to be shown at the Ann Arbor Summer Art Fair is pretty; the wood and leather art is the most useful. A lot of the artists have work that really stand out: you won't see art made from wood that doesn't grow here, but in Laos, which borders Vietnam. It's in the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair. Ever look up where a lot of the artists come from? Some come to the Fairs from California, Washington State, more from New York, others from Tennessee, New Hampshire, and New Jersey.

mady

Fri, Jul 12, 2013 : 7:32 p.m.

completely right!!

AAdoglover

Fri, Jul 12, 2013 : 12:56 p.m.

Four legged guests?

Fri, Jul 12, 2013 : 6:33 p.m.

not just food on the sidewalks, doggy doo, as well

other

Fri, Jul 12, 2013 : 3:25 p.m.

don't bring your doggies! crowds, too hot, food dropped on the sidewalks.

fjord

Fri, Jul 12, 2013 : 12:56 p.m.

Ah, Art Fair ... or as I like to call it, The Week I Go Out of Town On Vacation.

Kyle Mattson

Fri, Jul 12, 2013 : 1:11 p.m.

I doubt you're alone fjord.

Lyn Barron

Fri, Jul 12, 2013 : 12:19 p.m.

I tagged this for my daughter Lauren and son Matt- so they can view it on Facebook. They are extremely creative and love Art. Thank you annarbor.com for this article and the ability to share it.