Summer Art Fair Returns to Downtown Midland
Nothing feels quite like summer like the sounds of live music echoing down the street, families stepping in and out of downtown businesses, and residents greeting with artists from around the State to purchase locally crafted items. That glimpse of summer is once again coming back to Downtown Midland for the annual Summer Art Fair, hosted by Midland Center for the Arts in support of the Alden B. Dow Museum of Science & Art.
“After all that we have gone through this year, we are excited to be closing down the streets and bringing an array of Michigan artists to our community for friends and neighbors to buy local art and shop at local businesses,” said Julie Johnson, Midland Center’s Director of Museums. The festival which spans multiple blocks of the downtown commercial district will occupy additional space to allow for added spacing between booths, and limited capacity at the festival to follow state guidelines and regulations for outdoor public events.
The Summer Art Fair which went virtual in 2020, is coming back with new and exciting partnerships in 2021 for this celebration of fine arts and crafts. “When we return to Downtown this summer, we are excited to be working with Mural Blast and the Art Seen Festival to offer more for families and visitors to do while at the festival,” added Johnson. “Come and experience murals being created along the streets during the Summer Art Fair, or interact with the artists for mini challenges.”
Mural Blast brings together teams of competing artists that complete 8x12 foot murals in just one day, and will offer opportunities for local youth to complete in mini 15-minute art battles themselves; while the Art Seen Festival will give visitors of the Summer Art Fair an opportunity to observe and participate in a large-scale mural being created on the parking lot wall behind the Little Forks Outfitters.
In addition to the new partnerships for 2021, the festival will highlight over 80 juried artist booths from Michigan-based artists of all artistic disciplines, live music, delicious food, and local businesses will have their doors open for shopping throughout the weekend. Families looking to attend the festival will be able to create their own art with the Museum’s activity stations, or watch an artist demonstration from members of the Center’s studio school.
The Summer Art Fair takes place June 5 - 6, 2021, rain or shine, and is free to attend with free parking in the Downtown area. Summer Art Fair is made possible through the support of SEI Investments and Isabella Bank. For more information, visit midlandcenter.org/fair.
