The Return of the 2nd Annual SAGINAW ART FAIR • AUGUST 9th & 10th

Similar to the rendering of a portrait that evolves with greater detail, color, and depth with each passing season, anticipation and excitement are running equally high for the return of the 2024 Saginaw Art Fair, which will be happening once again on the expansive and pastoral grounds of Ojibway Island, nestled within the vibrant art and music scene of Saginaw’s Riverfront District, on the dates of Friday & Saturday August 9^th & 10^th  from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM,

Hosted by the non-profit Saginaw Art Initiative, according to Committee Chairwoman Lauren Collison, , so far over 50 diverse artists have signed up to sell their works, which span a wide range of media that includes ceramics, fiber, jewelry, metal, 2D & 3D mixed-media, painting, print-making, photography, and wood.

“We have a diverse range of artists with high quality work,” explains Collison, “ and our mission is to create a holistic art fair that includes a variety of visual, performance, and culinary arts that will sustain itself while celebrating the beauty of Saginaw and building community in the greater Saginaw area.  Through collaboration between local artists, businesses, and community organizations, the collective goal is to expand and connect arts, culture, and art education within a family friendly atmosphere that includes free art activities and live demonstrations that expand art appreciation and inspire the artist in everyone.”

“An important goal our committee has focused upon over the past year is to evolve this into an interdisciplinary art fair, not just about the fine arts or two and three-dimensional artworks, but to also include music, dance, theatre, and all of the arts,” continues Collison.  “We want this to be a fine arts festival, and with the band stage on Ojibway Island, it makes perfect sense to utilize this beautiful space.”

Lauren says the organizing committee was pleased with both the layout and attendance of last year’s debut. “We were pleased with the way the layout of the art fair worked last year and attendance was good,” she reflects.

“It was great how the city helped us promote the first event with city employees, and felt we had strong attendance during lunch on the first Friday of the art fair, which is what we wanted, and good numbers on Saturday as well.  We have many returning artists from last year and feel good about that, and while we planned on a 65-booth layout, with a few last minute artist cancellations we will feature  a little over 50 artists, similar to last year.”

“One thing we are very excited about is being able to feature a lot more musical performances this year, which goes back to our goal of evolving this into a more holistic event,” continues Collison. “Right now we have Mick Furlo & Friends set to perform on the newly renovated Ojibway Park Bandshell from 2:00 - 3:30 PM on Friday, August 9^th, with Val Hazel following from 3:30 - 5:00 PM.”

“The following day’s Saturday, August 10^th performance schedule  will start at 10:00 AM with a Werk It Dance Class from the YMCA, the Saginaw Bay Youth Orchestra taking the stage at 12:00 noon, followed by Saginaw Strings at 1:00 PM, and Sprout & the Orange wrapping things up from 2:00 - 4:00 PM.”

Lauren also notes how Ojibway Island will be open for parking both days of the art fair, and people with mobility problems will have improved accessibility to the Island this year thanks to the use of golf carts and parking next to the performance stage in the small paved lot if people have problems walking long distances.  “Angled parking will be available on the grass all around the Island during art fair hours, and the artists booths will be circled around the Island and shaded under the trees, so the sun won’t be beating down on people, with the food trucks also located in the grassy area with plenty of shaded space.”

“One of our new food vendors is Sawadee, who provides a type of Chinese-Asian fusion cuisine,” notes Lauren. “They make these super good Apple Pie eggroll versions of a cheese Rangoon, and our goal is to have four or five food trucks for each day, along with a drink and ice truck.”

Special Events & Activities

Collison says this year the Saginaw Art Initiative will also be staging three raffles for items that were specially made for this Art Fair, with the proceeds going back to the non-profit organizing the art fair. “We’ll have two quilts in the shape of Michigan that will help the Saginaw Art Initiative, and also a red white and blue afghan where the proceeds will go to Saginaw Northwest Quarter, who support a lot of youth events and have a scholarship program.”

The roster of ‘Art Activities’ consists of the following:

FRIDAY • AUG. 9

10:00 - 11:30 AM • Tie Dye Bandanas

11:30 - 1:00 PM • Drop in for Art

1:00 - 2:00 PM • Sharpie/Alcohol Coasters

2:00 - 3:00 PM • Drop in for Art

3:00 - 5:00 PM • Northern Lights Oil Pastel on Canvas Board

Saturday • Aug. 10

10:00 AM - Noon • Printmaking Class

12:00 - 1:00 PM • Drop in for Art

1:00 - 2:00 PM • Glow in the Dark Friendship Rocks

2:00 - 3:00 PM • Drop in for Art

3:00 - 5:00 PM • Poured Painting Class

Collison says all these activities are on a ‘First Come First Create’ basis and that a SAWA Grant is ensuring the committee is able to provide all art activities free of charge to participants.

“Our opening activities will involve SASA students helping people learn how to create tie-dyed bandanas, and then at 1 PM people can come create their own Sharpie Alcohol Coasters, which look like a poured painting,” she explains.

“The Drop in for Art events will feature art in the makers space through the entire two days, and is our most popular activity,  so people can come and learn a new talent; and the Northern Lights Oil Pastel is a painting on canvas board that people can both watch or contribute to. If people liked the guided painting class they should attend this event because it involves using oil pastels that look very painterly, so I recommend it.”

“With the Poured Painting Class, we always have a full tent and I love this event,” enthuses Lauren. “We even have a pizza box for people to keep their cars clean when they finish their poured paint creation. Plus, this year the Japanese Cultural Center will be on the Island to write peoples’ names in calligraphy an also have an Ikebana floral arranging demonstration.”

“On Saturday, the Downtown Saginaw Farmers’ Market will be here at the Art Fair, along with Pit & Balcony and The Potter Street Depot in order to raise awareness, and Saturday morning we’ll have a Werk It Dance Class at 10 AM, which is normally at the Saginaw YMCA, so anybody who wants to come can dance on the stage at Ojibway Island.”

When asked what the biggest challenge has been pulling this ambitious sophomore outing together, Lauren says it’s the time and focus involved with maintaining momentum. “We feel like we always want to keep growing and that while we are doing that, we also want to keep the momentum going and make sure we get the word out by doing all we can to market this event.”

“The Saginaw Art Initiative committee truly appreciates the support the community has given us and it’s great to see everything all come together,” reflects Collison. “We have a lot to celebrate in terms of what our city has to offer, so hopefully people stay in town that weekend because there are so many other wonderful community events also happening that weekend that are worth checking out, so people can jump from one event to the next and enjoy the full range of what our region has to offer.”

“We may also have an interactive mural painting happening,” she notes. “I met an artist at ARTPRIZE down in Grand Rapids this year who did a paint by number version of a Calder sculpture, so I’m trying to bring him to Saginaw. Anybody who paints a space on this mural he takes their photo and creates a mosaic collage that goes on display along with the final painting, so I’m keeping my fingers crossed on that one.”

“Our mission is to create an interdisciplinary art fair to celebrate all the fine arts and promote art education, and I’m very grateful to all the committee members, artists, volunteers, and businesses that have helped us take this celebration of the arts, culture, and beauty of Ojibway Island to the next level” concludes Collison.

“Our sponsors this year include The Fordney Club, UA Local 85, Saginaw Northwest Kiwanis Club, MediLodge of Midland, The Scottish Inn,  and several businesses supporting us with in kind donations such R.B. Satkowiak's City Sewer Cleaners for providing the porta-potties, The Print Shop, and more.”

For ongoing updates and more details be sure to check out the Saginaw Art Fair Facebook page and their website at www.saginawartfair.com.

Here is a breakdown of the artists that will be showcased:

2D MIXED MEDIA • Corrine Roberts Illustration, Cheryl Meyer, C. Churchill, Lucas Luna

3D MIXED MEDIA SCULPTURE: • Uniquepens, Tawny Lounge Design, Triple Goddess Tea & Essentials, Moondance Metal Art

CERAMICS • Emily Christine Pottery, Bougie Amour, Poettery & Designs by Ellie, Lantern Question, Lost Arts Working at Art in Motion Studio, Mud Princess Studio

FABRIC/FIBER/LEATHER • Sommertyme Creations, Barbara Noyes-Stark, Maddies Hatbox, Inc.

GLASS • Artsy Anndee, Theresa Creations, Ronda Olson Art

JEWELRY • ArtsyGoods, Missy Rose Studio, LadyB Clay Jewelry, Briarwood Designs, Miss Olivia’s Line, Reina Artesana

METAL • Mason Welding, John Creel

PAINTING • Joy Rocks, For the Love of Color, Ken Kueffner Studio, Wholehearted Creations by Dakota, SMWA Artistry, Josh Comics, Dan’s Watercolors, KP Originals, Sunshine & More

PHOTOGRAPHY & PRINTMAKING •

Kabscapes, Rick Sattler, J&T Phography, ECP Printshop, Papillon Press

WOOD • WMN Woodworking, Puple Frog Creations, EP, The Saginaw Bird House Guy