Many of Ann Arbor's normal functions will come to a halt this week when the annual art fairs roll into town again, marking 38 years of an Ann Arbor summer tradition.
Running today through Saturday, the three different fairs will cover 24 blocks of Ann Arbor streets, from downtown to the University campus. They bring with them more than 1,000 visual artists, numerous performance artists, merchants and food vendors.
Art-fair organizers anticipate more than 500,000 people from all over the country t attend.
"The thing I like the most about this is that you get probably the broadest variety of the cross-section of the public that's possible," said Susan Froelich, executive director of the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair. "We want to have anyone and everyone who's the least bit interested in art, or who've maybe never thought about art get exposed to it and learn about it."
Froelich said the fairs offer a wide variety of activities to interest people of all ages, including artists' demonstrations.
"We want the artists here to be able to talk with the public about what they do, how they do it, why they do it and therefore build more connections between contemporary artists and the public," Froelich said.
The art fairs' many artists must endure a strict application process and exhibit certain qualifications to be selected by a panel of jurors.
John Krieger of Midland, Mich., who has acrylic works on display at several prominent corporations headquarters throughout the country, will also be presenting his work at the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair.
"Ann Arbor is a very educated crowd," Krieger said. "Ann Arbor has a reputation that few other fairs in the country have. They appreciate the work, and they attract more artists."
Shary Brown, head of the Michigan Guild of Artists and Artisans, the organizer of the Summer Art Fair, said that although visual art may be the art fairs' main attraction, the performing arts are also represented.
"All three fairs over the years have worked hard to make sure that the performing arts are included and there has always in one form or another been a large stage," Brown said.
Kathy Krick, director of the State Street Area Art Fair said that with the help of the city of Ann Arbor many children's activities will also be available.
Along with the art fairs' festivities come major adjustments in how the city is run. Not only are most hotels completely booked, but parking is also scarce and costly. Also, many roads are blocked off, making it difficult for cars to maneuver around the city.
Dianna Haffner, information specialist at the Ann Arbor Convention and Visitors Bureau, said the bureau provides general visitor information, including hotel availability and parking options.
"We cover all the hotels in Washtenaw County, but of course the close hotels to the art fair sell out pretty quickly," Haffner said. "People start calling from as early as the end of winter, early spring."
The Ann Arbor Transportation Authority will be running a trolley with various stops throughout downtown Ann Arbor, and a shuttle service will also be provided.
Haffner advised art fair-goers to park at either Briarwood Mall or Ann Arbor Pioneer High School and use the shuttle service to reach their destination.
BOHDAN DAMIAN CAP/Daily
Grant Massey, from Roxanna, Del., arranges the brass mobiles and lanterns he created for the 1997 Ann Arbor Art Fair. This is the first year he has participated in the art fairs.