Art lovers will wind through downtown Ann Arbor and parts of the U-M campus later this month during the four-day Ann Arbor Art Fair.
The festival, which runs July 18-21, consists of four fairs in one event:
• The Original Ann Arbor Street Art Fair (on East Washington Street, North University Avenue and Ingalls Mall).
• The Ann Arbor Summer Art Fair (at various downtown Ann Arbor sites).
• The State Street Art Fair.
• The South University Art Fair.
Hours for each of the fairs are 10 a.m.-9 p.m. July 18-20, and noon-6 p.m. on July 21.
Maureen Riley, executive director of the Original Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, said one of the new offerings this year is the addition of craft sections to the South University and State Street art fairs.
Art fair week kicks off with the Townie Street Party from 5-9:30 p.m. today (July 15) on North University between Thayer and Fletcher streets, and on Ingalls Mall. The party will feature live music, a youth artists market, interactive art activities and a community central tent featuring local organizations like nonprofits.
The party will feature performances by headliner Laith Al-Saadi, as well as sets by the Syd Burnham Band and the Morris Murphy Project.
On the same day, the Dart for Art-Ann Arbor Mile will occur, providing an all-inclusive one-mile run-walk that kicks off at 6 p.m. for elite runners. At 6:30 p.m., the community race begins. The race begins and ends at State Street and North University Avenue.
Free parking to visit the Ann Arbor Art Fair is available at Briarwood Mall and Huron High School. At these sites, shuttles will provide $3 round trips to and from the art fairs.
Limited parking is available in downtown Ann Arbor structures.
To get around the Ann Arbor Art Fair, free, air-conditioned and wheelchair-accessible Art-Go-Round shuttles will be available to visitors.
Riley said each year of the Ann Arbor Art Fair brings new art — whether it’s from new or returning artists.
“It’s never the same art fair,” Riley said.
