Visual and performing art shines at the Ann Arbor Art Fair

Local and national artists will be showing, selling and performing their art at the Ann Arbor Art Fair.

Since 1960, the AASAF has been a non-profit art organization with the purpose of growing the awareness and appreciation for contemporary fine arts and fine crafts. 

The 2022 Featured Artist of the AASAF is Jeff Schaller, an artist from Downingtown, Pa.

Schaller writes in his artist statement that he creates textural art pieces that are both provocative and whimsical using visual and written symbols. 

His mixed media pieces all fit into his unique aesthetic, yet vary in content.

The AASAF will also include several Ann Arbor artists which specialize in jewelry, clay, glass and wood. 

Visitors might recognize Kristine Bolhuis, an Ann Arbor jeweler who has attended the AASAF every year since 2015. 

On her website, Bolhuis describes her art as “handmade sculptural and kinetic jewelry.” 

Summer Art Fair

The Guild of Artists & Artisans is an non-profit Artist Member Organization which runs the Summer Art Fair. 

Armando Pedroso is the featured artist for this year’s Summer Art Fair. Pedroso is a mixed media artist from Chicago, Ill. His work uses layers of imagery and bold colors to represent life and emotions. 

Pedroso’s mixed media artwork can be found at MN237 at the Summer Art Fair.

Among the many mediums that will be represented is photography. 

Dick Dokas, an Ann Arbor local, uses a  8″×10″ camera to shoot landscapes and more throughout the world. 

The State Street District Fine Art Fair

The State Street District combines fine artists and local businesses along the city streets of Ann Arbor. 

Henry Levine is this year’s featured artist for the SSDFAF. Levine is a glass artist from Albany, Ohio. 

No two products of Levnine’s are alike. Among other work, he sells ellipsoid vases, scalloped bowls, clam shell bowls and vases. 

The SSDFAF also features several emerging artists. One of these emerging artists is from Harrison Township, Mich. 

Katalin Kerty is an expressionist painter who specializes in acrylic paintings on stretched canvas. She also incorporates shells, paper and stones in her work. 

Henry Levine’s work is the poster art for the 2022 Ann Arbor State Street Art Fair* Image courtesy of  statestreetdistrict.org/featured-artist.

Performing Arts

In addition to visual art, there will be various expressions of performing art throughout the weekend. 

The Ann Arbor Civic Theater will be holding performances at the intersection of Maynard and William Streets. The performance schedule has not yet been announced.

Live music will be prevalent at the Ann Arbor Art Fair at multiple stages throughout the city. 

Continuous performances will be played throughout the fair at the Fountain Stage located on Ingalls Mall, between E. Washington St. and N. University. 

This stage will consist primarily of acoustic, classical and jazz artists. The performance schedule for the Fountain Stage has not been announced. 

“Stage on Main: Summer Sounds” is sponsored by The Ark and DTE. This stage is in the parking lot next to Palio Restaurant at the corner of Main and William St. 

Opening the night on July 21 will be Dani Darling, an Ann Arbor based singer songwriter, from 5-6 p.m. Closing out the night starting at 8 p.m. will be musician and activist Kyshona.

Brooke Annibale will take the stage from 5:30-7 p.m. on July 22. Annibale is an indie singer songwriter. 

 On July 23, The Whiskey Charmers, a Detroit-based country band, will play from 5-6 p.m. followed by americana artist Jared Deck

Some performers have not yet been announced. 

Interactive Art

Chalk the Walk with Ann Arbor artist David Zinn will take place during the Ann Arbor Art Fair. He will be working on his chalk work live for audiences to observe. There will also be sidewalk chalk available for audiences to participate. 

The “We Bear [U.S.]” exhibit will make its international debut during the Ann Arbor Art Fair. 

This exhibit includes the artwork of 31 people isolated in prisons in the U.K. and U.S. during the pandemic. This exhibit was meant to be a one-off exhibit in the U.K., but its popularity and audience engagement led the exhibit to travel to Ann Arbor.

The location of this exhibit at the Ann Arbor Art Fair is yet to be announced. 

Safety measures 

Visitors and vendors are encouraged to register to receive notifications from the A2 Emergency Alert system by texting A2ARTFAIR (in all caps) to 888777. 

The Ann Arbor Art fair is still asking visitors to follow some precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19.  They ask anyone who is not fully vaccinated to wear a mask and for all guests to stay home if they have tested positive for COVID-19.

More recommendations from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, the Washtenaw County Health Department, and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention can be found on theannarborartfair.com along with other information about The Ann Arbor Art Fair. 

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