We’ve entered prime art-shopping season once more, with art fairs and fall festivals, studio hops and art crawls going on nearly every weekend through the next few months. I particularly like the ambience at the smaller, community-oriented art fairs in the metro area — there’s an abundance of grass-roots charm and local flavor, and they’re usually small enough to take in over the course of a few hours’ stroll. (As the parent of a small child, that accessibility is something I particularly appreciate).
If these sorts of festivals appeal to you, too, then this weekend and next there are three such events you should know about.
Fall into the Arts Festival
Saturday, Sept. 12, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday, Sept. 13, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Centennial Lakes Park, Edina
This weekend, more than 20,000 visitors are expected to turn out for the seventh annual Fall into the Arts Festival at Centennial Lakes Park; those attendance numbers make this one of the largest of the Twin Cities suburbs’ fall arts festivals. About 200 artists will exhibit work at this year’s juried fair, representing arts and crafts across several media – glasswork, sculpture, painting, ceramics, jewelry, fiber art, and craftwork. Food vendors will be scattered throughout the 24-acre park.
Maple Grove Autumn Art Fair
Saturday, Sept. 19, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday, Sept. 20, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Shoppes at Arbor Lakes, Maple Grove
Next weekend, the northwest suburb Maple Grove will host a juried art fair, with artwork and fine crafts from about 70 local artists. In addition to the art, you’ll find refreshments, workshops and educational activities both days. If you come Sunday, you can also catch a live concert by the Maple Grove Jazz Ensemble from noon to 2 p.m.
Lakeville Art Festival
Saturday, Sept. 19, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday, Sept. 20, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Lakeville Area Arts Center, Lakeville
I particularly like the cross-disciplinary approach of the Lakeville Art Festival. In addition to hosting work by 60 visual artists and craftspeople (including a juried “featured artist” exhibit), this southern suburb’s festival boasts a youth tent, art-making demonstrations and the usual food and drink; but you’ll also see literary and performing artists well represented here, too.
