SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTIONAugust 1-3, 2008
Artitude In The City
When:
Friday, August 1, noon-8:30 p.m.*
Saturday, August 2, 10 a.m.-8:30 p.m.*
Sunday, August 3, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
*Note new hours: We’re staying open an hour later on Friday and Saturday than in previous years.
What:
More than 360 award-winning artists showcasing what they do best during the 45th annual three-day fine arts festival! Buy one-of-a-kind ceramics, paintings, jewelry, sculptures, photography, and more and meet the artists behind the creations. Spend the day exploring Uptown — there’s plenty to see, eat and drink. Enjoy music and dance at the Performance Stage, sit back and relax in the Wine Garden, and take in the excellent evening entertainment. From its inception in 1963 to the annual event that it is today, the Uptown Art Fair is truly one of the top fine arts festivals in the Midwest.
Where:
Uptown Minneapolis: Where Lake Street meets Hennepin Avenue — always in Uptown!
Official posters available for purchase at 612-823-4581 or on Hennepin Avenue at the Fast Frame Booth.
For more information, visit www.uptownminneapolis.com/art-fair.
Artitude In The City
When:
Friday, August 1, noon-8:30 p.m.*
Saturday, August 2, 10 a.m.-8:30 p.m.*
Sunday, August 3, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
*Note new hours: We’re staying open an hour later on Friday and Saturday than in previous years.
What:
More than 360 award-winning artists showcasing what they do best during the 45th annual three-day fine arts festival! Buy one-of-a-kind ceramics, paintings, jewelry, sculptures, photography, and more and meet the artists behind the creations. Spend the day exploring Uptown — there’s plenty to see, eat and drink. Enjoy music and dance at the Performance Stage, sit back and relax in the Wine Garden, and take in the excellent evening entertainment. From its inception in 1963 to the annual event that it is today, the Uptown Art Fair is truly one of the top fine arts festivals in the Midwest.
Where:
Uptown Minneapolis: Where Lake Street meets Hennepin Avenue — always in Uptown!
Official posters available for purchase at 612-823-4581 or on Hennepin Avenue at the Fast Frame Booth.
For more information, visit www.uptownminneapolis.com/art-fair.
Dear Visitor,
On behalf of the Uptown Association, welcome to the 45th Annual Uptown Art Fair! We’re proud of our top quality juried street art fair, and would like to share some interesting facts
with you.
The Uptown Art Fair began in 1963 as a small neighborhood event to raise awareness of the arts while raising money for Uptown projects such as extra security officers, sidewalk cleaning, and street lighting. That first year was a tough one, but thanks to the persistence of the organizers and exhibitors, as well as the generosity of the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, we held on, despite the fact that organizers practically had to beg people to attend.
The Uptown Art Fair grew by word-of-mouth, and the following year, 75,000 people attended to view the work of 75 artists. The crowd was great; some of the artwork—not so much. With such a wide disparity of art (artists were allowed in on a first-come, first-served basis), and a bottom line with little wiggle room, it looked like the fair would soon go the way of the dinosaur.
The Art Fair held on year after year but continued to hit roadblocks. When pet rocks started to take precedence over professional paintings, organizers realized—with a growing sense of frustration—that they couldn’t maintain the original mission of the fair: to bring quality art to the people.
In 1985, under new direction of the Uptown Association (created as a merchant’s association in the Uptown commercial district), a jury committee was formed to set standards for new applicants. Artists would no longer be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. They would have to apply to the show and meet certain requirements regarding impact, originality, intention, and craftsmanship (so long, pet rocks). The juried process greatly improved the quality of the art—along with the overall caliber of the fair—and is one of the primary reasons the Uptown Art Fair has climbed the ranks to become one of the top 10 fine arts festivals in the country.
Other reasons our fair is one of the best in the country:
- We showcase original, affordable, one-of-a-kind art—everything from sculptures to paintings to photography to woodcarvings to glasswork to jewelry to multimedia compositions (and then some).
- All art is for sale, with the majority of items priced under $5,000.
- We help demystify the art world for the ordinary person and give them a chance to buy original artwork—directly from the artists—in a relaxed and fun, street-fair environment.
- We give new artists the opportunity to showcase and sell their art for the very first time.
- An average of 350,000 (very cool) people attend every August, making the Uptown Art Fair #2 in statewide event attendance, second only to the Minnesota State Fair.
- Kids can sell their own masterpieces in the Tomorrow’s Stars Seen Today Art Fair at Calhoun Square.
- We emphasize free, family-friendly fun with music performances for all ages.
- Everyone pulls together. Our show truly is a labor of love, made possible by the generosity of sponsors, local businesses, volunteers, and those who support the arts.
We hope you have a great time at the Uptown Art Fair!
Sincerely,
The Uptown Art Fair Steering Committee
Uptown Association
For more information, visit www.uptownminneapolis.com/art-fair.
1406 W. Lake Street
Minneapolis, MN 55408
612-823-4581
