City of Lakes Art Fair Debuts This October at Bde Maka Ska 

Falling leaves, crisp fall air and the return of pumpkin spice bring joy to many as autumn arrives. Nothing beats an outdoor outing with a backdrop of gorgeous reds, oranges, browns and yellows, and everyone’s stylish fall outfits (often featuring scarves or cute boots). 

With the fall vibes in mind, Homespun debuts its City of Lakes Art Fair at Bde Maka Ska. With about 140 artists, live music, interactive art activities for all ages and food vendors for everyone’s taste, the fair is a perfect excuse to head to the lake with your family or friends.

“We saw the opportunity to kind of latch onto the beauty of the season and launch something around the lake during peak autumn foliage to both celebrate the season and give artists another creative outlet to be able to showcase their work in the city,” says Homespun Events Manager Nichole Showalter.

The fall fair also provides local artists with an opportunity to sell since art fairs tend to lull during the autumn season, says Showalter. The fair will have over 20 mediums represented, ranging from sculpture and painting to woodworking, metal and fiber art. 

“We really love to host our art fairs in just beautiful spaces that lend themselves to family, friend and community gatherings,” Showalter says. “[People] can expect a very vibrant, welcoming energy. That’s really what we pride ourselves on in our art fairs, the energy. The artists are there and ready to engage with the folks that are attending.” 

Bde Maka Ska is right in the backyard of Uptown, providing an opportunity to rejuvenate the city after years of construction. After taking a stroll through the art fair, take a walk around the lake and into the neighborhood where many hidden gems lie, including Black Walnut Bakery and Magers & Quinn Booksellers.

“I’m really excited that we’re bringing something to the Uptown community again. Uptown has gone through considerable change in the last five years, so I think we’re really excited to give folks an excuse to come back to Uptown, to check out the small businesses and the local businesses that can really use support during this ongoing time of construction,” Showalter says.

Although artists, vendors and performers aren’t announced yet, Showalter says they plan to have a variety that appeals to everyone’s taste. Food vendors can range from Tibetan food to classic American, while musical performances can include jazz, cover bands and family-friendly performances. 

Showalter has worked on many art fairs while at Homespun, including the Edina Art Fair and the Homespun-owned-and-produced Minneapolis Sculpture Garden Art Fair, Minnehaha Falls Art Fair and the Minnesota Merry Market at the State Fair Grounds. With its reputation for strong art fairs, Showalter says they are able to find artists due to their strong relationship with the artist community and artists looking forward to their next fair.

Art fairs are a staple for the Twin Cities, especially with the strong arts scene and community support. Showalter says the fairs’ artists, musicians and food vendors are the true taste of the local artists who are an integral part of our city and community.

“When you go and you support the artists at our art fair, any of your purchases are going right back into the pockets of our local creatives that are so integral to just our cities and to making our cities beautiful and enjoyable,” Showalter says.

She also says they focus on ensuring the space is accessible for everyone, including being wheelchair and mobility device friendly, sharing details ahead of time and ensuring nobody has issues when it comes to experiencing the art fair.

Spend some time at the City of Lakes Art Fair this October by talking to the artists about their process, buying some great art and enjoying the autumn scenery on the lakeside. Don’t forget to take the chance to stroll around the lake or check out the local businesses.

“Art fairs are just a rare combination of creativity, culture and connection, and they are approachable, family-friendly and free to attend, so they’re accessible even during economic uncertainty,” Showalter says. “You can just show up in support, take a walk, listen to some music, have a few chats with some neighbors you may have never met before and then head home.”

City of Lakes Art Fair
Saturday, October 11, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday, October 12, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Bde Maka Ska between W. Lake St. and W. 32nd St., Minneapolis, Minn. 55416

This article was updated on September 24 to correct the locations of the Minnehaha Falls Art Fair and the Minnesota Merry Market.