West Shore Art Fair this weekend

LUDINGTON – The 45 th West Shore Art Fair will be held this weekend, July 6 and 7. This is the first year the fair is sponsored by the Ludington Area Arts Council. The 2013 West Shore Art Fair features 75-plus juried artists showcasing work across a variety of media including fiber, jewelry, clay and glass, and other two-dimensional and three-dimensional art.

“The 2013 West Shore Art Fair truly offers something for everyone, from the adult art collector to the child who is just discovering the world of art,” said Paula Jury Jarvis, event coordinator. “We are very excited, in this 45th year, to redefine the West Shore Art Fair as a fine art experience for all ages as well as differentiate this from Ludington’s non-juried arts and craft fair in August.”

In addition to juried art for purchase, the show will feature a variety of unique, artistic experiences.

The Art of Performance

A full line-up of music talent will perform throughout the art fair weekend, with sound equipment donated by Instrumental Music Store of Ludington:

Saturday July 6

2 to 4 p.m.                           Awesome Distraction (folk/classic rock)

Sunday July 7

10 to 11 a.m.                        Ron Johnson (jazz)

11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.      Dan Haynor (folk guitarist)

1 to 2 p.m.                            Craig Avery (jazz)

2:30 to 4 p.m.                       Fremont John (contemporary blues/folk)

The Art of Being Young: Just for Kids

A dedicated children’s area will include:

• Arts and crafts activities, including a sponge-painting area where children can hang their paintings to dry and take them home for free. 
• Children’s Art Shopping Tent allows kids to shop for original art donated by the exhibiting artists for $5 – without adult supervision. 
• Storytelling area by the Mason County District Library, stocked with fun books for young children, and a friendly stuffed animal who will read stories.
• Musical Playground by Sandcastles Children’s Museum (Saturday, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.)
• Additional fun with a “sand art” tent, balloon artist, juggling entertainer (Sunday only) and magician/illusionist (Sunday only)

The Art of the Finishing Touch

A.M. Galleries will offer an on-site framing service so visitors can frame their purchases.

The Art of the Garden

Lowe’s will produce a creative floral garden display in the previous fountain space in the center of City Park.

A commemorative 2013 West Shore Art Fair poster by Pentwater artist John Gerts is available for $10. The poster is a print of an original watercolor by Gerts depicting an arts-oriented Ludington lakeshore scene. A limited number of posters will be available for purchase at the fair or in advance via PayPal.