Ann Arbor Art Fair(s): 2007 in Review

Another July, another four-day art fair extravaganza. Each summer, artists and artisans from all over the country gather in Ann Arbor, Michigan for the art fair. Though usually referenced as the singular "fair," the event is actually a four-fair conglomerate that transforms this off-season college town into a cultural destination. The Street Art Fair (oldest and most prestigious), Summer Art Fair, State Street Art Fair, and South University Fair provide over a half million visitors with total art immersion. Artists pop-up their EZ-Up's, set up their merchandise, bring a good book, and keep their fingers crossed for good weather. While the fair was its usual, well-orchestrated self, something was missing this year.

As much fun as it is to track certain artists - to find their booths, check out whether their styles have evolved or if they have new inventory - I would have liked to have seen a little more "fresh blood" in the mix. In the South University fair, the emerging artists were relegated to a side street barricaded from the higher pedestrian traffic areas. And while much of the established artists' imagery remains mesmerizing and well crafted, some new artistic perspectives would be welcome.

"I could sure use a sugar rush right about now - where's a free sample when I need it?" one of my art fair companions lamented. In other years, people in Starbucks green have cruised the streets with trays of mini-mochas, and the Edy's truck has handed out a Dib or two (or five). Not to sound like a total cheapskate, but the freebies were lacking this time around. Sure, I appreciated the Mentos, and at about three o'clock on Friday, sandwiched between a stroller and a lost husband, I really wish that I'd had my Advil sample handy. Even so, the samples just weren't on par with previous years.

The most glaring absence: music. Yes, there was music at this year's art fair, just not as much of it as we'd remembered from years past. My two art fair companions and I spent a solid 2.5 days perusing all that the fair had to offer - paintings, prints, jewelry, ceramics, food, and yes, more jewelry - to the occasional sound of a piano or guitarist. We felt strongly that having a steadier soundtrack would have encouraged potential buyers to take the plunge. Nothing sets the mood like a little upbeat music.

On a positive note, the food was reliably good. The selection was an interesting mix of the usual downtown restaurants and typical fair food - kettle corn, more gyro stands than one could possibly imagine, and chicken on a stick to match art on a stick. My companions and I mixed it up - falafel, hot dogs, sandwiches, and, best of all, pulled pork sandwiches from Smokehouse Blues.

A little tired of the art? People watching is an activity all its own. Pivot one direction and you'll see someone hauling a large painting, wishing that he'd parked closer. Turn another way, and you'll see someone gnawing on a large turkey leg.

Another year, another art fair. Maybe it's Michigan's stalled economy, but the fairs just lacked a little zest this year. The most exciting part may have been the return trip to Briarwood Mall on Thursday; patrons exited the bus, only to be hurried and locked into Sears as tornado sirens blared. Amazingly, that was the only weather concern in an otherwise picture-perfect week.