Connecting 2008: the Second Annual A&D Alumni Exhibition presents a range of art produced by School of Art & Design alumni in a show that coincides with the original 49th Ann Arbor Street Art Fair and its three sister fairs.
To kick off art fair week, U-M and several area businesses are sponsoring the Fourth Townie Street Party from 5-9:30 p.m. July 14. It is at North University between Thayer and Fletcher, adjacent to Ingalls Mall. Performers include Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys, Mifune and the Huron High School Marching Band Drumline.
The art fairs are from 10 a.m.-9 p.m. July 16-18 and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. July 19. Meanwhile, Connecting 2008 is presented July 11-Aug. 8 at Slusser Gallery on North Campus and Work•Ann Arbor on State Street.
Painting, sculpture, metal work, photography, clay and more will be on display. An opening reception is from 6-9 p.m. July 18 at Slusser Gallery. More than 350 A&D alumni have entered to present artwork at the show.
During the art fairs, a street booth will be set up outside of Work for art fair goers and A&D alumni to sit and talk. There also will be ice water for sale.
“I think our alums feel really close to Ann Arbor,” says Kate West, director of communications for A&D. “People talk to each other in a number of different ways; artists use their work as a way to keep connections with each other.”
The first art fair was established in 1960 by collaboration between the Ann Arbor Art Association, U-M and two business groups. Today, an estimated 500,000 people attend the fairs each year.
