With an array of exciting new offerings amid celebrations of Ann Arbor’s iconic art fair, the 2023 State Street Art Fair promises to be an unforgettable affair. From performances on the William Street Stage to a group exhibition celebrating contemporary Canadian Inuit art provided by Feheley Fine Arts in conjunction with Creative Washtenaw and a Youth Talent Show at 4 p.m. on Saturday, July 22nd, the Art Fair is surely set to offer something for everyone who participates.
The Ann Arbor Art Fair is a beloved tradition that has captured the imagination of thousands since its inception in 1960. This year, the 2023 Fair promises to be even more exciting with the introduction of new events, exhibits, and artists. With over 2,271 shares, it’s clear that locals and visitors alike are eagerly anticipating everything that the event has to offer from Thursday, July 20, to Saturday, July 22.
William Street Stage Entertainment
The William Street Stage at the State Street Art Fair, located at the Maynard and William intersection, is set to be an exciting hub of music and entertainment over the three days of the Art Fair. Featuring performances from local professional and amateur musicians, as well as a Youth Talent Show at 4 p.m. on Saturday, July 22, this stage will surely be a highlight of the event. Formerly known as the Ann Arbor Civic Theatre Stage, with the help of local musician Steve Somers and the State Street Art Fair, this stage is sure to be a memorable experience for all who attend.
Unleash Your Creativity at the State Street Art Fair!
The State Street Art Fair is giving visitors an exciting opportunity to unleash their creativity! Creative Washtenaw has partnered with the fair to bring an art activity near the William Street Stage, where Kellie Bambach and Asha Jordan will be painting mural outlines for everyone to color in with chalk. Additionally, Feheley Fine Arts is bringing a group exhibition celebrating contemporary Canadian Inuit art to Ann Arbor inside CultureVerse. The exhibition features artwork from sterling silver teapot sculptures to colored pencil landscape drawings from the various Inuit regions of Nunavut, Nunatsiavut, and Nunavik. Michael Massie and Gayle Uyagaqi Kabloona will also be on-site to answer questions about their work. Come check out these unique activities and let your imagination run wild!
What3Words and Art Fair Partnership
The Ann Arbor Art Fair is proud to be partnering with What3Words this year, a platform that divides the world into 3-meter squares and assigns each square a unique combination of three words. This will make it easier for fairgoers to navigate the event and share their locations. With this new addition, the Art Fair hopes to make the experience even better and potentially expand the usage of What3Words in years to come. Those interested can easily download the app or use its online site to get started. Along with this, some other activities are also returning for the first time since the pandemic began.
Explore the Art Activity Zone
Experience an exciting and creative family-friendly atmosphere at the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, The Original’s Art Activity Zone. Located between Thayer and Fletcher Streets on Ingalls Mall, this area offers free activities from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday through Saturday for all ages. Hosted by the Detroit Institute of Arts, Clay Work Studio, The Be Creative Studio, and the University of Michigan Museum of Natural History, visitors can explore a variety of art projects. Additionally, the Ann Arbor Potters Guild is offering live ceramic demonstrations of wheel-thrown pottery at Hill Auditorium on the University of Michigan’s campus throughout the Art Fair.
New Art, New Artists Booth Returns to Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, The Original
With the return of the New Art, New Artists booth to the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, The Original surely this fair is unforgettable. This program provides six college art students with an incredible opportunity to showcase their artwork in a curated space on Ingalls Mall. Each artist has worked closely with the staff at The Original over the past months to develop their skills in presentation, artist statement writing, booth design, and sales. The 2023 cohort of artists includes Laurel Dugan, Sophia Gallette, Emily Mann, David Reyes, Katherine Savelle, and Joey Siep with a variety of mediums represented such as photography, paintings, ceramics, printmaking, and jewelry.
In short, the Ann Arbor Art Fair of 2023 promises to be an amazing event comprised of talented artistic presentations, captivating events, and exhilarating activities. Residents and visitors alike can enjoy artwork and spectacle from both performers on the William Street Stage and local and international artists with murals and exhibitions featured at nearby locations. Through collaboration between locals and Creative Washtenaw, every ounce of creative expression will have a voice that all can appreciate during this beloved staple of summer fun.
