08-07-2025
The art fair Olympics return to Ann Arbor
A thousand artists will sell their sculptures, ceramics, paintings and photographs along 30 blocks across downtown Ann Arbor in what one metalsmith calls the annual art fair Olympics.
Why it matters: The three-day Ann Arbor Art Fair, which is expected to bring 400,000 visitors, is one of the nation's largest juried art fairs. It provides fun and shopping for those in need of a unique day off — or one-of-a-kind artwork for those looking to elevate their homes.
State of play: Aside from endless stalls of art, expect live music, ceramic demonstrations, glassblowing and other hands-on activities during the free fair on July 17 and 18, 10am-9pm; and July 19, 10am-8pm.
Zoom in: Among artists showing their work is Detroit-based Collyn DeBano, a metalsmith who casts jewelry from plants. Her business is Tree Trunk Arts.
DeBano's exact replicas of plants in metal include bronze earrings from casts of bark, silver peperomia leaf earrings and necklace chains holding small silver twigs.
She finds plant material on Belle Isle, around Russell Woods and wherever she travels.
What they're saying: DeBano has participated in the Ann Arbor Art Fair for more than a decade and makes fresh pieces to debut there each year. This time around, she's working on cherry branch pieces from Belle Isle's Sunset Point.
The fair is "like the Olympics for anybody in the craft world," she tells Axios. "It is the peak of the season, it's always the hottest weekend of the year. We prepare and train for it all year."
If you go: The massive fair can be a lot to navigate.
"If you're new, check out the website first to make your plan of attack," fair executive director Karen Delhey tells Axios. "I always recommend people to go with the flow when you come because there's so much to see and do. Just plan to walk around, wear comfortable shoes."
New this year, the youth art fair has expanded, with young artists exhibiting for the first time, and a kids' collectors club allowing young visitors to buy donated pieces of art for $10 each.
