15 Years of the Downtown Art Fair in Grand Rapids, MN
MacRostie Art Center will host its annual Downtown Art Fair on Saturday, July 11th in Grand Rapids. This summer highlight has been a downtown staple for the last fifteen years. The July 11th art fair features 40 vendors selling paintings, pottery, jewelry, and just about every other art form is represented. The event is held right downtown on the grounds of Old Central School.
Local jeweler, Lily Winter, is one of the handful of vendors that has been a part of the art fair since it’s conception. “It’s just a beautiful day out. There’s music, food, art, kids. You don’t have to be into art, you don’t have to be into anything ‘foo-foo’, it’s just truly a beautiful day out in our community.”
Lily mentioned that the art fair has gotten bigger since its earliest days, but the consistency has remained the same. “From the artist’s point of view, it’s so great to get feedback from longtime and new customers. The community knows us.”
An art fair is a great opportunity to learn about the local art scene. Meeting an artist at an event like the Downtown Art Fair creates a connection, and visitors will find those artists popping up in other places throughout the year such as local business events, holiday craft fairs, and the MAC’s Fall Studio Tour.
MacRostie Art Center’s Executive Director hopes that the Downtown Art Fair creates the sense of community that the MAC tries to facilitate through its events. “Going to the art fair might be the spark that encourages someone to come out to a First Friday Art Walk, try out a painting class, or join a community choir,” says Marshall. “Once people get to know the local arts community, they find how inclusive it is, and how welcoming it is to all levels of participation.”
In addition to the fine arts booths, this year’s art fair will also feature highlights of the local food truck scene: Singing Chihuahua Tacos and Borealis Creamery fueled by Heroes Rise Coffee with hand scooped ice cream and coffee drinks. Live music can be heard throughout the day in the music tent with this year’s lineup including the Grand Rapids Community Big Band which takes the stage from 10am-12pm, and highly regarded jazz duo Sam Miltich and Briand Morrison who will follow from 1pm-3pm.
Hands-on art activities will take place all day including a free make-and-take art project decorating totes bags under the activity tent, and printmaking with Fire in the Village. Lawn games including cornhole, giant connect four and more will be set up on the grounds. Art fair patrons can take in live artist demonstrations; from 10:00-11:00am attendees can watch Nathan Bray as he spins the pottery wheel and throws bowls for the annual “Itasca Empty Bowls” fundraiser. From 12:00-1:00pm, Nelia Harper French will give a live painting demonstration, followed by a talk about the impact of Impressionist painters and the plein air movement.
MacRostie Art Center’s Downtown Art Fair offers a day full of fun, free, creative activities that the whole family will enjoy and a chance to connect one-on-one with the artists who make up the vibrant arts scene in northern Minnesota.
If you go:
What: Grand Rapids Downtown Art Fair
When: Saturday, July 11th 9:00am-4:00pm
Where: Old Central School Grounds, 10 NW 5th Street Grand Rapids, MN
Admission: Free!