Summer in Ann Arbor would be notably empty and quiet without so many U of M students — except the middle of summer is filled with festivals. The Ann Arbor Art Fair, in its 66th year, is by far the biggest and it is a globally famous cultural event.
For decades, art lovers have been brought to the streets of Ann Arbor to explore the array of contemporary art that fills the city in July.
“It’s so massive, takes up literally the whole downtown area, so it can be a whole day thing to work your way through Main Street, pop into a restaurant, and really enjoy your time as you see artists from all over the country, all different kinds for work and price points, so its something for everyone,” Reese Schmid, the communications manager for the Guild of Artists and Artisans, said.
About two thirds of the Guild’s section of the fair will be returning artists and one third will be brand new — taking place July 17 to 19. On May 19, the three sections had their posters revealed — kicking off the countdown to the fair.
Featured artists and previews
There’s always a certain atmosphere at Knights’ Steakhouse when they host the preview of the Ann Arbor Art Fair every May. It’s bustling with representatives from local businesses and media.
The luxuriant interior is dimly lit, with a string trio playing classical renditions of late 20th-century songs like ‘Under Pressure.’ Some illumination comes from shafts of light streaming through the windows facing Thompson and Liberty Streets, casting a cinematic glow over the low, intellectual chatter.
There are also featured artists who effortlessly showcase their creativity and fresh perspectives — reminding us that the fair is more than just a way to keep downtown vibrant while students are on vacation — it’s a extremely valuable way to break into the impossibly difficult, but immensely rewarding world of contemporary fine art. The State Street District is sponsoring Brian Delozier this year.
The Pennsylvania-based artist didn’t get serious about art until a skiing injury forced a career change 18 years ago. It took him a while to find his footing but he found that his condition led him to be most comfortable with just taking dots and making them into pictures – hence his natural fit as a 2D artist who specializes in pointillism.
“I came out here last year and had such a great time in Ann Arbor. The energy at the show was one of the most special art fair experiences I’ve ever had,” Delozier told Current. Taking inspiration from Aboriginal pointillism, the Hippie era, impressionism, and pop artists, his style is vibrantly maximalist. “This year I’m planning [for] the display I’ve rigged to really be a [approximation] of the last 18 years, to showcase some of the biggest pieces I’ve ever done … and that’s why I want to bring the biggest pieces that I’ve done, and use this as a platform to bring the pieces that I’m most proud of.”
Describing his featured artist opportunity this summer as the highlight of his career, Delozier is actually coming to Ann Arbor with pieces so big that the State Street District that is sponsoring him has reserved three tent spaces (Booth LI532-36) to house it all. He has also started branching out into wearable art – via his company Brian’s Dots – producing unique and small volume apparels like the shirt he was wearing, Monday.
He is planning on turning the poster for the event into a jacket. You will be able to purchase that jacket this summer at the State Street information booth. According to State Street, 100 jackets will be available but the cost is yet to be decided on.
Greenville, South Carolina-based Andy Adams will be the original art fair’s featured artists. The Hungarian artist Chuck Wimmer will be the featured artist at the Ann Arbor Summer Art Fair.
Family friendly activities
The 1,000 or so artists tents that line up each side of downtown’s temporarily pedestrianized streets that make up the art fair is divided into three sections, led by the separate guilds. But all three are free and blend together so seamlessly that you can spend a whole afternoon joylessly sweating under the summer heat while finding delightful surprises in tent after tent – since each one is completely different from its neighbors. That is what makes this a longstanding favorite for both visiting international collectors and local families bringing their children.
“In Liberty Plaza, We Rock the Spectrum will be there in a tent. So they’ll have a de-sensory zone if you need to take a break from the heat, the crowds,” said Carissa Petty, of the State Street District. “(Also at the plaza) we will have a magician in the street, Circus Tumbleweed, and Eric Scott Baker, the Smile Maker, who walks around on stilts.”
Authorities take advantage of Liberty Plaza’s central location to put their main mobile emergency station there. They also are bringing back a sticker making machine so kids, and adults who just like stickers, can interact with law enforcement in a fun way.
“Yes, we will have the button making station again. We also hand out stickers and other swag, but the stickers are separate from the button maker,” AAPD Sgt. Mark Pulford said via email. New designs are being brought out this year, “and we are also running a button making design contest in preparation for art fair.”
RELATED: Ann Arbor Art Fair Nominated for ‘Best Art Festival’
Accessibility and opportunity
Prestigiousness doesn’t have to mean expensive. Some of the art on sale goes for thousands, however, there is a range of prices at the fair.
“We make sure that there’s something for everyone at the Ann Arbor Art Fair,” Angela Kline, of the original fair, whose section will be 50 percent new artisans this year, explained. “There’s artwork for $25, for everyone’s budget – or for a $,2000 budget.”
The fair is also a career builder. Delozier said he simply wants to break even expense wise, during the festival. The real point is “presenting the best of my ability to the public. The main goal is the connections” made with festival goers with dozens, hundreds, maybe thousands of potential customers over the rest of his career. He humbly hopes to “break even” with sales during the festival though.
There is also an argument ready to happen if you ask Ann Arborites whether game day, move in week, move out week, or the art fair causes worse traffic. You can avoid both the argument and the fight with traffic if you choose to park on the outskirts of town and ride in with International Trails. They provide regular shuttle service the whole fair, from the parking lots at Huron High School, and Briarwood Mall.
Drew Saunders is a freelance business and environmental journalist who grew up just outside of Ann Arbor. He covers local business developments, embraces his foodie side with reviews restaurants, obsesses over Michigan's environmental state, loves movies, and feels spoiled by the music he gets to review for Ann Arbor!
