As Ann Arbor Art Fair gets under way, directors and artists looking for a rebound
Kristen Miller, of Grand Rapids, looks on Wednesday as mixed-media artist Hussein Saidi, of Maryland, shows Nathan MacRae, of Westland, the finished painting of Michael Jordan that MacRae commissioned from Saidi during the Summer Art Fair on Main Street, one of four fairs that together make up the Ann Arbor Art Fair.
Melanie Maxwell I AnnArbor.com
A detail from a painting by Chris Jackson, a South University Art Fair artist.
Jenn McKee | AnnArbor.com
“I think we’ll have an incredible fair this year,” said Clayton. “That’s my prognostication. … Last year, because of the weather, we did see fewer people. Although the real traditional fairgoers were still out there buying, other people, I think, thought, ‘Maybe we’ll not go this year, since it’s so hot.’ So I think when people see that better weather is expected this year, they’re going to come back, and the fair will be well attended. I think there’s a lot of pent-up Art Fair desire out there to come see the work and support the artists. It should be a wonderful show on both sides of equation—for visitors and for artists.”
Although the Art Fair experienced a brief shower Wednesday morning, artists generally didn't mind, since it was accompanied by a temperature that was considerably cooler than Tuesday, when the artists set up their booths.
"I’m glad I brought gloves (for set-up) this year, because the metal tentpoles get so hot, they actually burn your hands," said Scott Menaul, a State Street Area Art Fair digital artist from Clearwater, Florida. "(Wednesday's) wonderful so far. It’s like 25 degrees cooler. We’ve got a little bit of rain to contend with, … but I think more people will be out if it’s just a little rain now and then rather than 104 degrees."
The forecast indicates that temperatures likely won’t rise above 90 degrees Wednesday through Saturday, which likely makes all fair artists happy, but maybe none more than those who make clothing.
Barbara Rubright, an Ann Arbor Street Art Fair artist from Shelby Township, has already exhibited her work this year in Florida and New York, among other places, but she said that past fairs never act as a predictor.
Fabric artist Barbara Rubright prepares her booth on Ingalls Mall on Tuesday.
Jenn McKee | AnnArbor.com
Rubright has personal sales goals for each fair, and currently, she’s keeping pace, thanks in part to using her client list to stay in contact with regular customers, who come “year after year. They plan to come this year, because they saw something similar last year, and they want it this year. … They’ll come back. Although a lot of my business is orders. I can’t possibly have everything in every size and every color.”
Painter Chris Jackson, whose work is on display on South University, noted that traveling with his art to different parts of the country has been an eye-opening experience.
Chris Jackson's wife, Laura Junge, helps prepare the South University booth on Tuesday.
Jenn McKee | AnnArbor.com
"I think there’s a little bit more confidence now. Things seem to be picking up a little bit. When you travel to different parts of the country, it’s really - the quote-unquote ‘recession’ has really hit different parts of the country differently. For an example, if you go down to Texas, it seems like they really haven’t felt what most of America has been feeling, and that makes a little bit of a difference as far as sales go. But we try to position ourselves - we offer some prints of the original artwork, and that makes it very affordable. So people who still really enjoy coming to the art show are able to purchase some things rather than just feeling like, ‘Oh, I can’t afford anything this year.’ We really try to make things very affordable for all people.”
Menaul's experience with this year's art fairs has also been encouraging. "They’re doing better this year, for sure, over last year," he said. "And we’ve also gotten better at selling, too. So we’re doing pretty well."
While eleventh hour artist cancellations may, on first blush, sound like a bad thing, State Street Area Art Fair director Kathy Krick said that in at least one instance, an artist canceled because she’d sold out of all her work and had nothing left.
“She was quite happy, obviously, and hopes to come next year,” said Krick.
Krick’s fair has about 30 new-to-Ann-Arbor artists this year, and the promising forecast has the director’s spirits up. “We’ve had two lousy years in terms of weather,” she said. “When attendance is up, everyone has a better fair overall.”
Clayton, meanwhile, said that reports from her fair’s artists have been mixed. “Since 2008, with the change in the economy, it’s tough out there for artists,” said Clayton.
But in terms of goals, Clayton stays focused on the basics. “We just like things to run smoothly and have a good time,” she said. “Being an artists’ organization, everyone knows each other well. … There’s a real friendly vibe, and we just make sure to facilitate that. … The weather is the weather is the weather, but we try to help everyone have fun, too.”
Fairgoers are already out in force Wednesday morning at the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, the original and one of four fairs that together make up the Ann Arbor Art Fair.
Angela J. Cesere | AnnArbor.com
Jenn McKee is the entertainment digital journalist for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at jennmckee@annarbor.com or 734-623-2546, and follow her on Twitter @jennmckee.
Comments
JD
Wed, Jul 18, 2012 : 8:40 p.m.
Why was top cats perfectly legitimate comment deleted? And mine were too? Selective editing of comments based on the fact that Obama was mentioned?
Jake C
Thu, Jul 19, 2012 : 6:40 p.m.
I'd ask what Obama has to do with the Art Fair but I have a feeling I really don't want to know.
treetowncartel
Wed, Jul 18, 2012 : 7:42 p.m.
Once the U of M kicked the tight rope walking, flame thrower juggling, individual performing artist out of the diag the Art Fair was on its way to failure. Later in life, Shaking Jake Woods meet his demise and the Art Fair becomes nothing but a distant memory for me. Not to mention, I can't get half off items at Make Waves anymore and I can legally drink at Casa Dominics now.
jen777
Wed, Jul 18, 2012 : 5:42 p.m.
Art fairs are everywhere now and while not always these artists, many talented folks are out there. It is no longer something novel or unique compared to 30-40 years ago. I wish all the best of luck but I wonder if it isn't just the economy and weather affecting these. Thanks for coming - I appreciate all the work.
jen777
Thu, Jul 19, 2012 : 9:46 a.m.
i meant to say more than just the economy and weather affectingnsales and attendance - typing too fast
JRW
Wed, Jul 18, 2012 : 4:50 p.m.
Here's an idea: don't schedule this mega-event in the middle of July, the hottest time of the year, in a warming climate. If anyone thinks that future SE Michigan summers will be cooler, think again. Michigan is one of the fastest warming states in the country (#7). Break it up into 3-4 smaller fairs and hold them over weekends in May and early June when the weather is cooler. Cut out the "Kings Chosen" area entirely, which is an overly commercial, recently added area in a parking lot, and get rid of the tacky commercial vendors. http://www.livescience.com/20899-climate-change-fastest-warming-states.html
JD
Wed, Jul 18, 2012 : 6:45 p.m.
And the dinasours lived for 65 million years. Not too shabby.
Brad
Wed, Jul 18, 2012 : 6:42 p.m.
"The planet will repair itself" That's what the dinosaurs said.
Macabre Sunset
Wed, Jul 18, 2012 : 6:04 p.m.
Ah, a "scientific" report from an organization that has the following mission statement: "[we] Communicate the science and effects of climate change to the public and decision-makers, and inspire Americans to support action to stabilize the climate, prepare for impacts of climate change, or some combination of the two." Doesn't sound like they're going to publish anything that doesn't meet those political goals, does it? But, go ahead, believe in the climate-a-geddon religion. We have freedom of religion in America. Just don't get too disappointed that all the hurricanes and destruction Al Gore promised us only a few years ago have already failed to manifest.
JD
Wed, Jul 18, 2012 : 4:57 p.m.
Thousands of years of fluctuations. Weather goes in cycles. The planet will repair itself.
Anthony Grimes
Wed, Jul 18, 2012 : 4:49 p.m.
Let the fair die! I'm so sick of this event taking over the town. I would be fine with a smaller event or 4 different events on different weekends but don't shut the entire town down for overpriced garbage!
Stagger Lee
Fri, Jul 20, 2012 : 3:02 p.m.
Couldn't agree more. I think 4 smaller art fairs over 4 different weekends would be much better for everyone involved. The town would stand to make more money in tourists dollars over that period and the locals wouldn't be so displaced. As someone who works downtown I can't help but think what a mess this is every year.
JD
Wed, Jul 18, 2012 : 4:59 p.m.
Now wait a second. It's still pretty cool, the art fair. It's just evolving. You still see giant crowds, don't you? So people must still like it. And what's greedy about people selling their art for a profit and the town benefitting?
JRW
Wed, Jul 18, 2012 : 4:38 p.m.
Some of the good artists in this A2 mega-event also participate in the Art Fair over in St. Joseph on the weekend preceding the A2 Art Fair-- this year it was July 14-15, sponsored by the Krasl Art Center. The fair is held on the bluff overlooking Lake Michigan, and it's a wonderful setting and event. Not overly crowded or bloated, and includes a good selection of juried artists. Very manageable, with excellent parking and a fun downtown to explore as well as Silver Beach. I've enjoyed going to this fair every year. It's well-organized, just the right size, and there is no comparison to the A2 over-commercialized mega-event that takes over a larger and larger city area every year, with more and more expensive parking, all of which will lead to its demise in the long run. Indeed, the Ann Arbor Art Fair's best days are long gone. This is what happens when greed takes over.
say it plain
Wed, Jul 18, 2012 : 10:48 p.m.
Ah, thanks for letting us know about that one! I might try and get to it some year...St Joseph's economy could use the boost, right, and the idea of art fairs at the great lakeside sounds great. Could combine it with a trip to Saugatuck if I missed some corporate-type commercialism ;-)
63Townie
Wed, Jul 18, 2012 : 4:13 p.m.
I think the art fair has been allowed to become FAR too big. Ann Arbor is going to milk it's summer cash cow to death.
say it plain
Wed, Jul 18, 2012 : 10:46 p.m.
Ah, nicely succinct summary of it all!
81wolverine
Wed, Jul 18, 2012 : 3:51 p.m.
It's good for Clayton to be optimistic, because that's her job among other things. But, the Ann Arbor Art Fair has seen it's best days already. A lot less people have the disposable income to spend on artwork any more. It's simply a byproduct of the weaker economy - which based on what we're seeing in Washington of late, will not change any time soon.
JRW
Wed, Jul 18, 2012 : 2:56 p.m.
The Art Fair used to be a good event, before it was turned into a circus and expanded to over 1000 artists, many of whom are nothing more than commercial vendors selling tacky items. Years ago, when it was smaller, it was fun to walk around and see the artwork, watch street performances and music that weren't all "corporatized," and even watch a guy make animals out of long balloons. It was fun back then, smaller, and with a lot more character than the bloated, corporate mega-event it has become.
MjC
Thu, Jul 19, 2012 : 2:13 a.m.
I also agree that the Art Fair has grown too large. The Street Art Fair should have stayed in the area of South U. It's beautiful over by the tower area, but it belongs back on South U and the fair should never have expanded to create a fourth fair. There are only so many people who buy so many items and the expansion hurt the artists (and shoppers).
JD
Wed, Jul 18, 2012 : 8:58 p.m.
I don't despise a safety net - we need it and a we should have one. The whole point is JRW, that the safety net has turned into all-out re-distribution of wealth, socialism.
Bonsai
Wed, Jul 18, 2012 : 8:18 p.m.
JD - we disagree - hope you never need the safety net that you seem to despise - your statement that the government only takes money and creates nothing is absurd on it's face - we are not going to convince each other of anything - have a nice day - please buy some art if you can afford it - PEACE!
81wolverine
Wed, Jul 18, 2012 : 3:54 p.m.
I went to a much smaller art fair in Charlevoix a couple summers ago and it was much more pleasant. No massive crowds to try and wade through. No blistering heat. No annoying parking situation. That's why I don't to "mega-events" like the AA Fair any more.
JD
Wed, Jul 18, 2012 : 3:37 p.m.
Good points. It seems as though in a quest to become this big, relevant, nationally recognized art fair, it's become too commercial. There needs to be areas for smaller artists with minimal pieces/products to setup. Maybe there is and I don't know about it. Mostly I just see these giant booths everywhere. As to sales #s, the overall economy needs a boost. We are in a holding pattern right now, still hurting from the housing bust and high unemployment. Maybe not so much in Ann Arbor, but people come from everywhere. It may be crowded, but no doubt there's lees expendable cash floating around to buy art with.
JRW
Wed, Jul 18, 2012 : 2:45 p.m.
"And while artist cancellations may, on first blush, sound like a bad thing, State Street Area Art Fair director Kathy Krick had an artist cancel because she'd sold out of all her work and had nothing left." This statement needs some context. Have there been cancellations this year in the State Street fair? The sentence above indicates there have been cancellations, but nothing in the article says anything about it. How many cancellations were there this year? For what reasons, other than the "positive spin" example provided above? How about some other reasons for cancellations? Let's be honest about the Art Fair, the good news and the bad news, and provide some balanced reporting.
Madeleine Borthwick
Wed, Jul 18, 2012 : 2:28 p.m.
it's NOT art, and it's NOT fair.
HENDRIX242
Wed, Jul 18, 2012 : 8:54 p.m.
Correct, it's Fart Air.
Joe Hood
Wed, Jul 18, 2012 : 2:21 p.m.
I thought it was the "Ann Arbor Art Fairs" (plural)?
Bob Needham
Wed, Jul 18, 2012 : 2:40 p.m.
It is still four fairs, but a couple of years ago the organizers decided to start using the singular to refer to the overall event, since that's how the vast majority of the public thinks of it.
actionjackson
Wed, Jul 18, 2012 : 1:09 p.m.
May all of the artists enjoy our town and be prosperous in their hard work.