By Jennifer Eberbach

Reprinted from CULTUREWEEK. (Bloomington, IN). June 2007 

According to Bloomington Area Arts Council (BAAC) director Miah Michaelsen, “for a small show, Arts Fair on the Square is very well-rounded.” This year’s fair to be held Saturday, June 23, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., will feature a variety of media; including ceramics, digital art, drawings, fiber works, glass, graphic design and printmaking, jewelry, metals, mixed media works, paintings, photographs, sculptures and wood works. 

The fair, which is a project of the BAAC, will cover the grounds around the Monroe County Courthouse, located at the center of the downtown Bloomington. Although situated on a relatively small plot of land, the fair will pack in booths showcasing artworks created by 50 local, Indiana and greater Midwest artists.

Bloomington fiber artist Martina Celerin (artwork pictured above), who has participated in the show for the past three years, explained that the fair is a good opportunity for her to share some of her newest creations with the community. This year she will contribute a selection of her 3-D wall art, which she creates using weaving and other fiber techniques.

“I love the show for the easy going attitude of the artists, patrons, and organizers…Bloomingtonians are happy to get out, enjoy the sun, share some art (hopefully buy some) and wallow in the quietness of our town now that the academic year has floated away,” she said.

Artists who have participated in past fairs are generally pleased with the buyer’s market that the fair attracts. Returning contributor Kyle Spears, who will present his contemporary fine art photography, says that he likes the size of the fair and the crowd it draws.

“Bloomington is a very diverse town, and the fair attracts a lot of educated buyers,” he said.

Michaelsen sees the value in keeping the fair small.

“There is plenty of time to see everything in a half a day,” she said. At its current size, visitors can enjoy it at a leisurely pace. However, Michaelsen also introduced the idea of hosting a larger festival in Bloomington. According to her, Arts Fair on the Square “is prime to grow.”

“Bloomington is the right kind of community for a major visual arts festival,” she said.

Arts Fair on the Square will include hands-on activities for kids and adults, supported by the BAAC’s partnership with local nonprofit arts groups, the IU Theater and Drama department and the IU Music School. The fair will occur the same day as the annual culinary event Taste of Bloomington, which will take place at Shower Commons (7^th St. & Morton St.), from 3:00 pm – 11:00 pm. More than forty Bloomington restaurants are participating in this year’s Taste, which will also feature a full music line-up and activities for children.

These two events have proven to be highly popular with contributors and visitors alike. According to husband and wife mosaic artists Bud Fick and Cappi Phillips,” Arts Fair on the Square, coupled with Taste of Bloomington, is a ‘Best of Bloomington’ weekend!”