The nationally respected, award-winning Ann Arbor Art Fairs begin Wednesday (July 21) and run through Saturday (July 24).
This year the fairs feature juried work from nearly 1,000 artists representing 42 states.
Last year more than 500,000 people participated in the many activities available at the fairs, including musical performances, children’s crafts, demonstrations by artists and cuisine ranging from ethnic fare to elephant ears, ice cream and fruit drinks.
Fair hours are 9 a.m.–9 p.m. Wednesday–Friday and 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Saturday.
As in the past, the art fairs are expected to alter the campus’s summer tempo and contribute to traffic congestion.
Art fair patrons may have more difficulty finding parking in University structures this year because of the renovations going on at the Church Street structure.
Susan A. Kirkpatrick, manager of University Parking Services, says attendants will allow visitor parking in structures only late in the day as space becomes available.
The U-M charges art fair visitors $8 to park.
Artists pay $50 for permits that allow them to park in University lots during the fair. Of the 230 U-M spaces available to artists, 150 are at the Coliseum lot. Other spaces for artists will be available at the surface lots at Thompson Street, Perry School and the Student Activities Building. Art fairs organizers assign the spaces.
Commuter buses will be rerouted to avoid Central Campus congestion, according to Jimmy L. Oliver, Transportation Services service foreman.
Beginning at 6:45 a.m., commuter buses will leave Crisler Arena every 15 minutes. The last stop will be at 6:15 p.m. at the Kresge Medical Research Building. Buses leaving Crisler will take South Division to Huron, Huron to Fletcher and then follow the usual route to the Medical Center. Returning from the Medical Center, buses will travel down Washtenaw or Forest, depending on traffic, to Hill. Buses will stop at the commuter stop near the C.C. Little Building, at Hill and Tappan, at Hill and State, and at Jefferson and Division. Signs directing passengers to temporary stops will be posted by the Intramural Sports Building, Michigan Union and Undergraduate Library, Oliver says.
Michigan Radio will offer a variety of special programs in conjunction with the art fairs. Live broadcasts will take place from the station’s broadcast booth in front of the LS&A Building throughout the art fairs.
Michigan Radio’s Garage Sale will sell items previously offered only during fund drives, including t-shirts, tote bags and sweatshirts, as well as books and cassettes.
Special programming will include Morning Edition host John Walters at 7:50 a.m. weekdays interviewing some of the artists.
