Kalamazoo Art Fair kicks off summer

KALAMAZOO--The Kalamazoo Institute of Art's 61st anniversary Art Fair held downtown is Friday and Saturday, June 1-2, providing a festive atmosphere of artwork, programs and fun.

Ceramics, fiber art, drawing, painting, photography and sculpture highlight the event, which is held from 3 to 8 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Bronson Park. Visitors can also enjoy live music, a beer garden, acrobats, street performers, a car show and more.

The second oldest art fair in the United States, it traditionally kicks off summer in Kalamazoo.

This year, the fair is host to high-quality juried art works by more than 190 artists. It offers monetary prizes, spans two days that overlap with other community activities, and is expected to attract more than 60,000 visitors.

Most of the artwork displayed is for sale, and prices vary from a few dollars to several hundred dollars or more.

The fair is sponsored by Chase, Discover Kalamazoo, Bowers Manufacturing, Schupan & Sons, Harding's, River Street Flowerland, Kalamazoo Gazette, Bell's Brewery, Panera Bread and Coca Cola. Proceeds support free-admission programming at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts.

For more information, visit kiarts.org/page.php?menu_id=212.