West Shore Art Fair is this weekend

LUDINGTON – The lineup of activities for the 2014 West Shore Art Fair has been announced. The 46^th annual open-air, juried fine art and fine craft show will be held July 5-6 at City Park. The two-day event features a large selection of artists, an eclectic mix of musical acts and a fun children’s arts activity area.

Sponsored by the Ludington Area Center for the Arts (LACA), the fair will be bigger this year, with more than 100 juried artists. Art patrons can purchase original works across a variety of media including fiber, jewelry, clay and glass, and other two-dimensional and three-dimensional art. Many exhibitors are returning favorites, while others are new to the Ludington show – and nearly half are from out of state.

“This year’s mix of high-caliber artists is remarkable,” said Corinn VanWyck, LACA executive director. “The show received a great deal of positive word of mouth from last year’s exhibiting artists, which attracted many new artists to apply this year. We are pleased with the amazing selection of excellent, original, hand-crafted art.”

In addition to juried fine art and fine craft for purchase, the show will feature two full days of live musical performances at the West Shore Bank Stage, with sound equipment donated by Instrumental Music. Another change this year is a larger selection of food offerings, ranging from fair favorites such as elephant ears and kettle corn, to more exotic options like crepes and “gourmet dogs.”

Art Fair Entertainment Lineup

 Saturday July 5

10 a.m. – noon: Jason Hargraves and Ron Johnson (jazz standards)

12 – 3 p.m.: Road Less Traveled (folk and soft rock)

3 – 5 p.m.: Fremont John (contemporary blues/rock)

Sunday July 6

10 – 11 a.m.: Steve Plummer and Ron Johnson (jazz guitar and piano)

11 a.m. – noon: Beats Per Minute (instrumental guitar/soft rock)

12 – 1 p.m.: Frank Galante (classical guitar)

1 – 2 p.m.: R. W. Davies (guitar and vocals)

2 – 3 p.m.: Great Lakes Ukulele Group (folk and fun!)

Saturday and Sunday

Strolling “busker” Isaac Messeder will perform juggling and magic throughout the park

Children’s Arts Activities

A children’s area sponsored by Indian Summer will offer a variety of arts and crafts activities, including:

• “Sand art” tent ($5 per craft)

• Caricature art*

• Finger knitting

• Jewelry making

• Pipe cleaner crafts

• Balloon creations by John Marek*

• Face painting by Miss Ludington Area 2014, Emma Martin *

• Musical Playground by Sandcastles Children’s Museum (Saturday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.)

*Denotes activities provided for a donation

Additionally, children can shop without adult supervision in a Children’s Art Shopping Tent filled with original art for $5 apiece, donated by the exhibiting artists.

Commemorative 2014 West Shore Art Fair Poster

Artist and Ludington resident Chris VanWyck designed a commemorative 2014 West Shore Art Fair poster available for purchase at the show’s information booth. Options include a limited-edition, signed, 18 x 24 silkscreen print for $75, and an 11 x 17 offset print version for $15. Both are unframed. VanWyck’s modernist, boldly-colored image was inspired by Lake Michigan and its dunes.

VanWyck has worked in the arts for more than 30 years, both through his day job as brand manager at CiesaDesign in Lansing, and as an artist in his own right. He designed the East Lansing Art Fair 50th Anniversary poster that was awarded “Best Use of Color” in the 18th Annual Sunshine Artist Show Poster Contest.

Sponsors Support the Show

Another addition this year was a sponsorship program to involve businesses in supporting the art fair that helps fund education, programming and operations of the Ludington Area Center for the Arts. Lead sponsors include:

• Indian Summer  – Children’s Area

• Northwestern Bank – Artist Exhibition Area

• West Shore Bank – Entertainment Stage

• House of Flavors – Food Area

• Dr. Kristina Kelly Palmer, D.D.S. – “Best of Show” Purchase Award

• Kwik Print Plus – Printed Materials