2015 Ann Arbor Art Fair
Every July, artists across the nation get ready to head to Southeastern Michigan for the Ann Arbor Art Fair. Established back in 1960 as the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, the event now hosts four award-winning Ann Arbor Art Fairs at the same time. The 2015 Ann Arbor Art Fair will be held from July 15th through the 18th and is guaranteed to once again attract visitors from all over the country.
As mentioned above, the first fair held back in 1960 was called the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, and was one of the first art fairs in the country. It attracted 132 artists, with 99 of them being local. A second fair was added in 1967: the State Street Area Art Fair, and a third in 1970 called the Guild’s Summer Art Fair. By 1970, crowds had grown to over 70,000 people attending what was originally a small summertime art event. By 2003, Ann Arbor’s South University Art Fair was also added to the mix, after the original Street Art Fair relocated to the streets surround Burton Carillon Tower.
Four Fairs – One Event
Today, the four fairs attract over 500,000 attendees from all across the United States. Here’s a little background on each of the four fairs at the 2015 Ann Arbor Art Fair and what you can expect from each:
- The Ann Arbor Street Fair: The original fair out of the four, the Ann Arbor Street Fair was named the number one art fair in the country in 2004 and has consistently made the Top Ten Fairs and Festivals lists every year since then. Featured artist this year is Michigan’s own Dylan Strzynski, who focuses on printmaking and sculpture.
- State Street Area Art Fair: The State Street Area Art Fair is another award-winning art fair, combining the talents and works of 300 artists. You’ll find highly contemporary works alongside very traditional crafts, including ceramics, jewelry, wood, glass, and much more.
- The Ann Arbor Summer Art Fair: The Ann Arbor Summer Fair is presented by The Guild of Artists and Artisans, located in the heart of Ann Arbor and stretches all the way to the University of Michigan. This fair features 375 exhibiting artist booths, as well as art demonstrations and special guests.
- Ann Arbor’s South University Art Fair: Lastly, Ann Arbor’s South University Art Fair brings local and international artists together amidst first class restaurants and charming, independent boutique-style stores. Plus, you can enjoy free live music and relax in the beer and wine garden near the main stage.
Whether you’re looking for inspiration or the next amazing piece of art for your home, or simply want to relax and view the latest unique arts and crafts, the 2015 Ann Arbor Art Fair is the place to be this July!