Adventure starts with a vehicle that’s up for anything. Trailblazer combines comfort you want, the versatility you need, and the technology to make every moment count.
Personally, one of my favorite summertime activities involves strolling around at an art fair. If you haven’t done so before, you’re missing out on oodles of artists and artisans who are not only talented crafters, but local ones at that.
The southeast Michigan area is brimming with art fairs this summer, so you can go to one practically every weekend if you so wish. You never know, you might find a painting at one, a necklace at another, and a wood carving at the last. Get ready to connect with your artsy side and check some local and national artists!
The 2014 St. Clair Art Fair will take place this weekend, Saturday, June 28 through Sunday, June 29. The fair takes place in downtown St. Clair along the Riverview Plaza, where you’ll find artist booths including this year’s featured talent, Andrew Krieger. Krieger is a local painter from Grosse Pointe Farms, whose works will also be on display at the Grosse Pointe Art Center through Saturday, July 26.
The art fair will include performing arts, student art, photography, glassworks, sculpture and more. It’s open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
The Wyandotte Street Art Fair is set to begin on Wednesday, July 9 and run through Saturday, July 12. During these days, the downtown area will be bustling with Metro Detroiters eager to take a peek at drawings, prints, mixed media pieces, metal works, clothing and more.
There will, of course, be food vendors on hand to keep your stomach from growling as you’re taking it all in. Street entertainers will provide music each day as well. The art fair is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. each day.
Art in the Park will be held the weekend of Friday, July 11 through Sunday, July 13. This is the one I’ve always faithfully attended, so you bet I’ll be there! This year marks Art in the Park’s 35th year, and the weekend-long event includes art, entertainment and food.
There will be over 400 artists and artisans from all around the U.S.—one such artist is Kristen Dillenbeck-Anderson (a former Canton resident turned New Yorker), who will demonstrate her three-dimensional living mural. Art in the Park is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
The Royal Oak Outdoor Art Fair falls on the same weekend, Saturday, July 12 and Sunday, July 13. Held at Memorial Park (at the intersections of Woodward Avenue and 13 Mile Road), artists will sell ceramic items, photography, sculptures, leather items, jewelry and more. Plenty of arts and crafts will be on hand, as well as food items for purchase.
The fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
The Ann Arbor Street Art Fair begins the next week on Wednesday, July 16 and runs through Saturday, July 19. It also just so happens to be another one that I enjoy attending. In addition to perusing art crafted by local and national artisans, attendees can enjoy street performances, art activity zones, artist demonstrations and street painting, where you can watch a piece of art come to life before your very eyes.
The fair is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday.
The 12th Annual Orchard Lake Fine Art & Craft Show will be held in West Bloomfield on Saturday, July 26 and Sunday, July 27. Local artists will show their works, including paintings, sculptures, fiber works, glass pieces and more.
Unlike the others, this one does require an admission fee of $5, while children ages 12 and under are admitted free of charge. The show runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
Milford Memories Summer Festival & Art Fair will take place in downtown Milford on Friday, August 8 through Sunday, August 10. The art show includes over 250 artists from all over the United States (and Canada), as well as several Michiganders! You can expect local jewelry, calligraphy, glass pieces, and even candles. There will be plenty of live entertainment, as well as a beer tent, to keep you entertained and to quench your thirst, respectively.
The art show runs from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
Arts Beats & Eats 2014 takes place over Labor Day weekend, Friday, August 29 through Monday, September 1. The artsy, music and food centered festivities take place in downtown Royal Oak and include a Juried Fine Art Show, where top artists compete for a hefty cash reward of $7,500.
Over 140 artists will be on deck to show off their prints, mixed media pieces, fabric works, drawings and more. The art fair runs from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday through Sunday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday.
Art fairs are a great way to enjoy summer in Michigan. Not only do you get to spend time outdoors, but you can get a little cultured at the same time!
