University of Michigan - Michiganensian Yearbook (Ann Arbor, MI)

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On Wednesday, July 19, residents of Ann Arbor and students who remained on campus had to quickly adjust their daily traffic patterns as roads closed and white tents began popping up around town. The Ann Arbor Art Fair, which was held from July 20 th -23 rd , was actually a larger fair comprised of four smaller art fairs, located on South University Avenue, North University Avenue, Main Street, and State Street. However, unlike years in the past, this year there were new and exciting attractions for Art Fair viewers. One of the additions to the Art Fair was the Townie Party, held on July 18. The event included live musical performances, a live comedic performance, and free food from many local Ann Arbor restaurants. Street performers and face painters were also present to keep children entertained. There were also new Imagination Stations set up at various points of the fair to offer children and adults the opportunity to let their creative juices flow and create art of their own. Pom-poms, feathers, glue, glitter, and tons of paper were spread over tables, free for everyone to use. Senior political science major and permanent resident of Ann Arbor Scott McConnell commented on how this year ' s fair seemed smaller than previous years: This year ' s Art Fair was a little smaller than it has been, but there was still plenty of people, art, and of course, food. Aside from football Saturdays, it ' s the best time to be in Ann Arbor. McConnell was also one of the few Ann Arbor residents who found a positive aspect of all the major streets on campus being completely blocked off to drivers. It ' s nice to walk across State Street without getting hit, he said. Other students who spent the summer on campus were frustrated with what Art Fair did to town. I was here all summer so I was at the Art Fair, and it was a nightmare. Way too crowded, senior English and women ' s studies major Samantha Tieber said. Senior English and psychology major Nicole Mammo also shared some frustrations with the event. Even though I hate what Art Fair does to reduce the already limited amount of parking in Ann Arbor, I did love the colors and energy that it brings to the community, she said. Those colors and energy attracted around 500,000 people from all over Michigan, as well as Indiana, Illinois, and Canada, to view the art of more than 1,200 artists - including sculptors, photographers, painters, and woodworkers. However, one drawback to having so many talented artists in Ann Arbor at one time was that students on a tight budget spent more time looking than buying. As Mammo said, Yes, the art is amazing and beautiful, but there ' s no way I could even pretend to afford it. Overall, Art Fair was a success, even with the temperamental weather during the first evening of the fair. It was a different way for friends and family to spend their time in Ann Arbor. Michiganensian.24