KIA officials say two men debating over cups of coffee were the ones to come up with the idea for an art fair in downtown Kalamazoo.
Now in its 60th year, the
Kalamazoo Institute of Arts Art Fair is recognized as the official opening of the festival season in the city. For the first time, the art fair will be a two-day event, starting on Friday and continuing Saturday, June 3 and June 4.
This year, 210 artists will exhibit their work in booths that line the sidewalks of Bronson Park. The majority of the participating artists, 85 percent, don't live in Kalamazoo, Allegan and St. Joseph counties. And this year, patrons will find many artists who have not previously shown their work at the fair.
Ceramics, fiber art, drawing, painting, photography and sculpture are some of the mediums, people can expect to find in the juried event that offers $4,500 in prizes and is expected to attract more than 60,000 visitors. Farrell Howe, of the KIA says, the prize money increased this year, which drew some new artists to the event.
The original artwork displayed is for sale, and prices go from a few dollars to several hundred dollars or more.
Special events, such as music on the Rotary Stage keep things lively. Musicians, acrobats, and street performers will perform throughout the park. The popular Bell's Brewery Beer Garden will serve up its brew from 5-10 p.m. And Mangia Mangia will sell grilled items, as one of 11 vendors in a food court set up along South Street.
It all began in 1951, when then director of the KIA Clarence Lininger and an art critic for the local newspaper, Philip A. Wight, conversed over coffee on the best way to bring art to the people and offer artists and opportunity to demonstrate their work.
Writer: Kathy Jennings
Source: Farrell Howe, Kalamazoo Institute of Arts
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