Toledo-Area Summer Art Fairs

Toledo's world famous art museum isn't the only place to find fine art in the summer. The area has several fine art fairs that showcase the best local and national artists as well as locally-made crafts.

The 46th annual Crosby Festival of the Arts is Saturday, June 25 from 10 am to 7 pm and Sunday, June 26, from 10 am to 4 pm. This art fair, held at the Toledo Botanical Gardens at 5403 Elmer Dr., features jewelry, blown glass, photography and ceramics. The fair includes live entertainment, children's activities and food vendors. Shuttle service from the Wal Mart at Central and Holland-Sylvania is free. Admission is $8 and children under 12 are free. The festival website is www.toledogarden.org/content/events.

In July, the University of Toledo Alumni Association holds Art on the Mall on Centennial Mall on the main campus. The show is Sunday, July 24, from 10 am to 5 pm. Featured art includes watercolors, oil paintings, ceramics and sculpture. There are also activities for children and music provided by Toledo School for the Arts. Parking is in pay lots or meters on campus. More information is at www.toledoalumni.org.

Levis Commons Fine Art Fair is in its 7th year. This summer, the fair at Town Center at Levis Commons in Perrysburg is on Saturday, Aug. 20, from 10 am to 8 pm, and Sunday, Aug. 21, from 11 am to 5 pm. Art for sale includes jewelry, paintings, glass and fiber. Art activities for children are provided by Imagination Station. Admission and parking are free. The art fair website is www.theguild.org/art_fair_perrysburg.

Local crafters are featured at the Sylvania Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Arts and Crafts Festival held at Lourdes College, 6832 Convent Blvd. The fair is Sunday, Sept. 11, from 9:30 am to 4 pm. Crafts include jewelry, fiber, yard décor and children's toys and clothes. There are food vendors and entertainment by local schools. Admission is $2 and benefits the Sisters of St. Francis. Shuttle service from several lots is free. For more information, visit www.sylvaniachamber.org/ArtShow.

One of the area's largest festivals is the Black Swamp Arts Festival held in the streets of Bowling Green, Ohio, on Friday, Sept. 9 from 5 pm to midnight, Saturday, Sept. 10 from 10 am to midnight and Sunday, Sept. 11 from 11 am to 5 pm. The children's area is open on Saturday from 11 am to 5 pm and Sunday noon to 5 pm. There is a demonstration area where artists create works and answer questions. There is entertainment on four stages, and a beer garden and concession vendors provide food. Admission is free, and parking is in designated lots and side streets with free shuttle service. The website is www.blackswamparts.org.