Best Art Fairs
Editor’s Picks for the Best Art Fairs in the Country
Looking for a great destination? The following shows are the best art fairs in the nation. These top shows take great pride in their selection of artists and they are all competitively juried. Some of them even fly in curators, art professors and museum personnel to sit on their artist selection panels. For example, at the Cherry Creek Arts Festival in Denver this year, there were over 2000 applicants for the 200 spaces.
The art and craft work exhibited will delight you in its variety, quality and vision. In these days of strip malls and cookie cutter chain stores, art fairs are undeniably the most interesting shopping venues left in the country.
Most of these festivals also have children’s activity areas, wonderful food courts, and music especially chosen to enhance your attendance. You can easily spend a whole day at these great art fairs meeting interesting people, finding wonderful treasures and resting up at one of the performance stages before your next foray into the wonderful world of fine arts and crafts.
Visit their websites that showcase the artists and crafts people who will be in their events this. You can go online and preshop! We invite you to find a new festival this year and get back to us with your comments.
1. The Ann Arbor Art Fairs, Ann Arbor, MI – July 16-19, 2008
always Wednesday through Saturday
We have to start out the list with this event because it is the granddaddy of all the other successful art festivals in the country. It is now four official fairs but it all began in 1959 on South University, the original Street Fair. Its’ success, proving that artists could find a new marketplace, has since spawned three more concurrent festivals.
The four shows are a confederation, sharing city services and keeping the same dates and hours. Over 1200 exhibitors show up ready to meet you. Ann Arbor turns into Art Fair City every July for four days. They include:
- Ann Arbor Street Fair: www.artfair.org
- State Street Area Art Fair
- Summer Art Fair
- Ann Arbor’s South University Art Fair
2. St. Louis Art Fair, Clayton, MO – September 5-7, 2008
This event is held in the central business district of Clayton, an upscale suburban community of St. Louis. A small event, only 165 exhibitors, competition is fierce to be one of the chosen exhibitors. Only the very best artists will be found at this event.
3. Cherry Creek Arts Festival, Denver, CO – July 4-6, 2008
This is a true destination show, fabulous art, intriguing auxiliary activities for kids and adults, and an online auction, all in a great urban neighborhood.
4. Coconut Grove Arts Festival, Miami, FL – Feb. 16-8, 2008
Always held on President’s Day weekend, this is a destination for Floridians as well as plenty of snowbirds. Also the same weekend as the Miami Boat Show there is a good deal of customer crossover. Held on the shores of Biscayne Bay under the palm trees, you will see a good deal of contemporary art plus many artists who don’t leave Florida to show their work in your neighborhood.
5. Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show, Philadelphia, PA - Nov. 12-16
The best show of only fine crafts in the country includes 195 of the finest and most dynamic craft artists in the U.S., selected from 1500 applicants. A benefit for the Museum of Art, you will find outstanding work by craftspeople who prefer not to show their artwork outdoors. Everything is beautiful.
A Destination Art Fair - Smoky Hill River Festival (sponsored listing)
Salina, KS -- June 12-15, 2008
A nationally award winning Arts Festival sponsored by the Salina Arts & Humanities Commission. Exceptional quality year after year…a true arts Festival, a regional arts masterpiece! “To celebrate the arts and this community through a festival accessible to anyone – physically, psychologically, and economically."
What you will find:
- Four Rivers Craft Market Show, June 13-15 (50 Artists)
- The Fine Art/Fine Craft Show, June 14 & 15 (90 Artists)
- Commissioned large-scale art installations throughout the Festival grounds
- Entertainment from the finest in the region, nation, and beyond. Every imaginable musical style, along with dazzling headline and roving performances ranging from the classical to the unconventional
- Four stages including a Children’s Stage and Storytellers Stage
For more info: www.riverfestival.com
“The minute you enter the Festival grounds, you are infused with a spirit of art and community that makes me think we would live in a more peaceful and beautiful world if we dedicated more of our life to art in all its diversity.” – Mitch Berg, Santa Fe, NM
6. Lakefront Festival of Arts, Milwaukee, WI – June 20-23, 2008
Sponsored by the Milwaukee Museum of Art and held on its’ grounds in front of the museum’s architecturally exciting new building, great artists show up on the lakefront every June. Many of them will have been in Chicago at Old Town the previous weekend. This confluence of two great shows encourages many artists to travel long distances to be there, providing you with another excellent event.
7. Sausalito Art Festival, Sausalito, CA – August 29-September 1, 2008
The internationally famous beauty of Sausalito, with its’ historic waterfront and unique galleries and shops has always attracted art collectors. On Labor Day weekend the stars of the contemporary art scene are showcased in this great setting. Plan for a great time, with excellent food and music extending the pleasure.
8. Des Moines Arts Festival, Des Moines, IA – June 27-29, 2008
The people in Des Moines go all out to make this festival great for everyone. Very creative kids activities, emerging artist programs, fireworks, and some of the best artists in the country who make a stop in Des Moines on their way to Cherry Creek the following weekend. Who knew Des Moines was so cool? Worth the drive. You won’t be sorry.
9. Washington Craft Show, Washington, D. C. - November 7-9, 2008
An exquisite event featuring 190 of the nation's most talented artists, featuring one-of-a-kind and limited editions work. This juried event features recognized masters and talented newcomers exhibiting the latest trends in finely crafted art pieces for the discerning buyer. In addition, two days of expert seminars in decorating, finding collectible art, art to wear and much more. A great weekend destination for the art aficionado.
10. Old Town Art Fair, Chicago, IL – June 14 & 15, 2008
Held in the Old Town Triangle neighborhood, everyone turns out for this one that is Chicago’s favorite. Most of the artists have been chosen years ago, so your favorites will usually be back, with a few new ones added in each year.
For more info: www.oldtowntriangle.com
11. Plaza Art Fair, Kansas City, MO – Sept. 19-21, 2008
The streets of the Country Club Plaza become an outdoor art gallery each September as art enthusiasts flock to the Plaza to see displays of magnificent works of art from the nation’s top visual artists. Expect 230 artists from 30 states, a very competitive event…everyone is good! Beyond the art this beautiful shopping area also hosts delicious food from nearby restaurants, great music and interactive art experiences for all ages.
12. Long’s Park Art & Craft Festival, Lancaster, PA – August 29 - Sept. 1, 2
Come and unwind at one of America’s top fine art and craft shows featuring original work from 200 of the best artists in the country. Free entertainment and great food all presented in a lovely park. This is a great place to spend Labor Day weekend.
13. Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival, Reston, VA – May 17 & 18, 2008
This festival brings the finest contemporary arts and crafts to the Greater Reston area in a festive celebration of art, life and culture. A beautiful event with top artists who travel a long way to present their work to a sophisticated clientele. If you are going to be in the area put this event on your calendar.
14. Cain Park Arts Festival, Cleveland Heights, OH – July 11-13, 2008
A great place to spend a summer day in Cleveland, this event brings you more fine artists in a beautiful ravine park in the heart of the city---urban living at its’ best. The local restaurants vie to be present, there is a wide variety of excellent entertainment, lawns to stretch out on and beautiful works of art, what’s missing here? Nothing.
15. Winter Park Sidewalk Arts Festival, Winter Park, FL – March 14-16, 2008
All the artists want to be in Florida in the winter, consequently this beautiful show receives record numbers of applicants. This ensures that you will have an amazing number of excellent choices when it is time to purchase artwork. First timers viewing the show wonder where all this talent came from…and you thought central Florida didn’t have culture. You’ll love this show.
Editor’s Top Show Picks: HONORABLE MENTIONS
American Craft Council Craft Fair, Baltimore, MD - February 22-25, 2008
Scottsdale Arts Festival, Scottsdale, AZ - March 7-9, 2008
LaQuinta Arts Festival, near Palm Springs, CA - March 13-16, 2008
Bayou City Art Festival, Houston, TX - March 28-30, 2008
CraftBoston, Boston, MA – March 28-30, 2008
Smithsonian Craft Show, Washington, D.C. – April 10-13, 2008
Main Street, Fort Worth Arts Festival, Ft. Worth, TX – April 17-20
Oklahoma City Festival of the Arts, Oklahoma City, OK - April 22-27, 2008
New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival - two weekends: April 25-27 & May 1-4, 2008
Brookside Art Annual, Kansas City, MO – May 2-4, 2008
Frederick Festival of the Arts - Frederick, MD - June 7 & 8
For more info: Fredericktourism.org
On the creek in Frederick at the Arts Festival
57th Street Art Fair, Chicago, IL - June 7 & 8, 2008
Columbus Arts Festival, Columbus, OH – June 6-8, 2008
Central West End Art Fair and Taste, St. Louis, MO - June 6-8, 2008
For more info: www.TheCWE.com
Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, State College, PA – July 10-14
For more info: www.arts-festival.com
Krasl Art Fair, St. Joseph, MI – July 12 & 13, 2008
Bellevue Arts & Crafts Fair, Bellevue, WA - July 25-27, 2008
Uptown Art Fair, Minneapolis, MN – August 1-3
Park City Art Festival, Park City, UT – August 1-3
Charlevoix Waterfront Art Fair, Charlevoix, MI – August 9, 2008
Lakefront Art Festival, Michigan City, IN - August 16 & 17, 2008
For more info: www.lubeznikcenter.org
Arts, Beats & Eats, Pontiac, MI – August 29-Sept. 1, 2008
For more info: www.artsbeatseats.com
Atlanta Arts Festival, Atlanta, GA - September 15 & 16, 2007
Paradise City Arts Festival, Northampton, MA - October 11-13, 2008
Bruce Museum Outdoor Arts Festival, Greenwich, CT - October 11 & 12, 2008
Crafts in the Castle, Boston, MA – December 4-7, 2008
Looking for even more up-to-date- gossip and stories about the world of art fairs?
Visit the official ArtFairCalendar blog, the Art Fair Insider.
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