Like the neighborhoods around Palmer Park, the artists in the Palmer Park Art Fair are an eclectic, diverse group ranging in age from 14 to 80 years.

They arrive from Chicago, Florida and Minneapolis, Bloomfield Hills, downriver and less than a mile away from the regional park. They bring trailers and trucks full of fine paintings, creative sculpture, pottery – even a tent full of creative clocks by Duane Scherer.

“We’ve brought back the crowds favorite artists this year, and have more than 30 new ones to keep the event fresh,” said Mark Loeb, event coordinator.

This year’s art fair will be held May 6 and May 7 around the Log Cabin – just off Merrill Plaissance in the center of Palmer Park. It is produced by Detroit-based Integrity Shows in partnership with the nonprofit People for Palmer Park.

Other new artists this year include ceramic and tile artists Thomas and Sarah Gelsanliter, fine art photographer Kate Tillman and Judy Bowman, whose mixed-media collage are quickly becoming must-haves. Long-time favorite Ron Scarbough, a Detroit icon who created the 2016 poster, and Donald Calloway, whose fish, angels and other creative sculptures and pieces are in many collections, also will be at the fair.

The Palmer Park Art Fair’s new poster celebrates the historic Log Cabin as it is renewed with funds raised by the People for Palmer Park and major structural improvements over the winter by the City of Detroit.

The 2017 poster winner created by College for Creative Studies graduate Amy Ferguson shows tulips and blue skies surrounding the log structure built in 1885 for Sen. and Mrs. Thomas Palmer. The limited edition poster’s border shows the historic Log Cabin windows, which are being renovated this year.

Amy Ferguson’s poster image was selected by the jury from more than 20 submissions. She graduated in 2015 with a B.F.A. in illustration from the College for Creative Studies in Detroit and now lives in suburban Detroit.

“I tried to mix the look of the cabin with both what I’ve seen in person, and photos of what the cabin looked like when it was new. Then I added tulips, tents, fairgoers, and of course my signature swirly clouds to make it into the perfect day for an art fair, the days we artists always hope for,” said Ferguson.

The Art Fair, revived four years ago after a 30-year absence, is the first one of the season in Michigan and it focuses on artists – and art buying.

• Buy art. Some 80 artists will sell their work at this boutique fair. The artist traveling the longest distance to participate: Former Detroiter Kenyatta Ray is coming from Belgium to share his paintings.

• Make art. Hands-on art making projects will give families and individuals a chance to show their creative side. They are being led by the Detroit Institute of Arts, which has a kite making project. Doors of Opportunity and Arts & Scraps and Art in Motion will lead the aziza door creation and Live Coal Gallery will offer a fabric / fiber art activity.

• Young artists. Mint Artists Guild returns. This Detroit nonprofit teaches high school visual artists business and career skills, and then they sell paintings, photos and jewelry at art fairs and pop ups. This year, students from St. Clair Shores, Hamtramck and Lincoln Park join the mostly Detroit young artists.

• The Palmer Park Art Fair gives a variety of entertainment and food options for guests. Food Lab, a Detroit nonprofit that promotes local socially responsible food enterprises, will host a tent full of small artisan food purveyers. Among them are Georgia Brown’s Gourmet Foods’ specialty baked goods; Detroit Gourmet Nut Co.; Mama Suebee’s Kitchen with kale chips; Kaleidoscope gourmet chocolates and Friends Potato Chips. Two food trucks will satisfy your physical hunger: Fire Kissed Pizza and Chick-A-Dee, serving – while a beer tent run by the People for Palmer Park will offer Motor City Brewing favorites.

“The Palmer Park Art Fair is a beautiful kickoff to the summer and the art fair season,” said Loeb, president of Integrity Shows.

Photos courtesy of Palmer Park Art Fair. 

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