The Art’s the Thing

Photo courtesy of Loring Park Art Fair

As anyone living in the Twin Cities metro area will attest, you can always count on at least two certainties in a Minneapolis summer. One is the appearance of the unofficial state bird, the voracious mosquito. The other, and infinitely more pleasant, is the number of art fairs offered during the precious short months of summer.

Very few summer social occasions can beat meandering through a maze of tents, booths, stands and displays, enjoying a cool beverage and perusing the multitude of wares on display by the talented and unique local artists and craftspeople from the Cities and beyond.

Each of the fairs has art pieces in a variety of mediums that will suit every taste—ceramic, fiber, pottery, glass, paint, leather, jewelry, wood, stone, mixed media, metal and more. Statues, sculptures, lawn art, photography and wall art are available in all price ranges, and many booths also offer chances for children to explore their own artistic sides with interactive painting or coloring.

Minnehaha Falls Art Fair
July 16 – 18 • www.minnehahafallsartfair.com

Nominated as one of the best festivals in the Twin Cities, Minnehaha Falls Art Fair offers so much more than just a spectacular location close to Minnehaha Falls. Live music, food trucks and art booths to suit every taste and wallet abound, with most booths offering at least some items under $30.

The fair is open from 3 – 8 PM on Friday, 10 AM – 7 PM on Saturday, and 10 AM – 5 PM on Sunday. Parking is always a challenge in the Minnehaha area in the best of times, so please consider opting for biking or public transportation. The park is conveniently located adjacent to the Blue Line on the Light Rail system, as well as several stops on the bus routes.

Loring Park Art Festival
July 31 – August 1 • www.loringparkartfestival.com

A tradition for over 20 years, the Loring Park Art Festival is ready to make a comeback after Covid cancelled most of last year. The festival organizers are making sure that all Covid protocols for safety and security will be in place for festival attendees, as well as the 140 juried artists and craftspeople from around the country who will be exhibiting. The park will have around 20 vendors offering food & drink, along with the Lakes & Legends Beer Garden.

The festival is open 10 AM – 6 PM on Saturday, and 10 AM – 5 PM on Sunday. Entry is free, all are welcome. Biking and public transportation are recommended, and the website offers info on free parking options, accessibility information & directions to Loring Park.

Powderhorn Art Fair
August 7 – 8 • www.powderhornartfair.com

Powderhorn Art Fair is celebrating its 30^th year! Unfortunately, late rollbacks in Covid restrictions and subsequent time constraints in obtaining necessary permits have forced the Art Fair to again take a virtual format, but over 70 artists spanning 20 mediums will be exhibiting, and buyers will be able to shop a diverse, vibrant selection of artwork online through the website.

A $30 donation to the art fair will also help the organizers to replace aging tents and equipment, and ensure a bright and sparkling fair in 2022 when Powderhorn Art Fair makes a triumphant return back to being in-person in the park!

Uptown Art Fair
CANCELLED • August 6 – 8 • www.uptownminneapolis.com/uptown-art-fair

The Uptown Art Fair has been a neighborhood staple since 1964, and has served to not only highlight the arts but also to help raise money for projects in the Uptown area. The fair embodies the hip, unique and unconventional flavor of the Uptown community, and the amazing volunteers, sponsors, businesses and supporters who help to put it on each year ensure that patrons and visitors will have an experience to remember. After all, the Uptown Art Fair didn’t become the second most attended event (behind the State Fair) in Minnesota by resting on its laurels!

Unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond our control, the Uptown Art Fair has been cancelled for 2021 but we plan on being back in 2022—bigger and better!