By Mary Beth Almond
C & G Staff Writer

Local art fairs and festivals are about to bloom this summer.

Whether you decide to hit every festival, or just peruse the one in your town, each fair’s distinct characteristics and varied events are sure to intrigue just about anyone.

Susan Mosey, president of the University Cultural Center Association, which organizes and produces the Detroit Festival of the Arts with Wayne State University, said she is excited to bring back the community’s favorite acts and showcase new artists this year.

“Our festival gives the public a chance to see some of the most unique and talented performers and art pieces in the world, set in the backdrop of a vibrant neighborhood, where life is truly art,” she said.

The Shelby Township Art Fair is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, and Pam Reinhardt of the city’s Parks and Recreation Department said the event will be better than ever.

“People can come and see everything they want to, free of charge, which is always a bonus with the economy the way it is right now,” she said. “It’s a nice way for a whole family to spend an afternoon together that’s not going to cost them an arm and a leg.”

Here’s a look at the upcoming art festivals:

May
Fine Art at the Village in Rochester Hills — Featuring the fine art and crafts of more than 100 juried artists from around the country, Fine Art at the Village will be held 10 a.m.-8 p.m. May 17 and noon-6 p.m. May 18 at the Village of Rochester Hills shopping center, 104 N. Adams Road in Rochester Hills. The event will feature free admission, parking, entertainment and children’s activities, and a drawing for artwork. An outdoor food court, with food for purchase, will also be available. Visit www.FineArtAtTheVillage.com

June
Detroit Festival of the Arts — The 22nd annual Detroit Festival of the Arts will return June 6-8 with 10 stages and 20 square blocks of art and performances. More than 100 international, regional and local artists will fill the DTE Energy “Avenues of Art,” a fine arts and crafts market featuring more than 100 performances during the three-day celebration. The event will also feature South African vocalist Miriam Makeba, Osadia hairdressers, performances by Wise Fool New Mexico and Close Act Visual Theatre, a Tribute to Donald Walden, a literary and music lounge, and musical performances by local and national artists. Kids can enjoy a youth artist’s market, children’s literary zone, a sand sculpture area, grand processions and puppet performances in English and Spanish. Admission is free. Visit www.detroitfestival.com.

Berkley Art Bash — The seventh annual Berkley Art Bash, held June 14, will feature local artists displaying and selling their work along 12 Mile Road in downtown Berkley from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The festival, presented by the Berkley Chamber of Commerce, will also feature food, activities for children and live musical entertainment from morning to night. Parking is free. Call (248) 414-9157.

Royal Oak Clay & Glass Festival — The Royal Oak Clay & Glass Festival will combine 150 juried artists with children’s activities, music and food along Washington Avenue in downtown Royal Oak June 21-22. This is the 14th year the Royal Oak Chamber of Commerce has produced the event, presented by National City Bank. Food, beverages and entertainment will be offered at a new location this year — on Sixth Street, east of Washington. Children’s activities will include crafts by Creative Arts Studio at the corner of Washington and Sixth. The chamber will donate a portion of the profits to charity. Call (248) 547-4000 or visit www.royaloakchamber.com.

Lathrup Village Art in the Park — The fifth annual Lathrup Village Art in the Park will be held June 21 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and June 22 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Lathrup Village Municipal Park, 27400 Southfield Road. The event will feature more than 100 artist booths, a food court, music in the gazebo, and a mini pub featuring Michigan brews. Parking is free. Visit www.lathrupvillageartinthepark.com.

Mount Clemens Stars & Stripes Festival — The Anton Art Center and FunFest Productions are again joining forces to present the second annual Stars and Stripes Festival in downtown Mount Clemens June 27 from noon to 9 p.m., June 28 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and June 29 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Combining fireworks on Friday night, a fine art show with 200 artists, children’s activities and four stages, the Stars and Stripes Festival is expected to attract more than 200,000 visitors. Visit www.starsandstripesfest.com.

Art in the Woods Art Fair in Huntington Woods — Huntington Woods 15th annual Art In The Woods Fine Art Fair will be held on the grounds of Berkley High School — due to 11 Mile Road construction — on June 28 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and June 29 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The family-friendly event features a large collection of fine arts and crafts from around the country, children’s activities, music and food. Admission and parking are free. Call (248) 581-2696 or visit www.woodsgallery.org/art_fair.html.

St. Clair Art Fair — The 36th annual St. Clair Art Fair will be held June 28 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and June 29 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. One of the state’s original art fairs, held along the St. Clair River, the St. Clair Art Fair allows patrons to spend the day enjoying art from more than 100 artists, listening to music and enjoying children’s activities. Call (810) 329-9576 or visit www.stclairart.org.

July
Royal Oak Outdoor Art Fair — The Royal Oak Outdoor Art Fair will be held July 12 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and July 13 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Royal Oak Memorial Park, at the corner of Woodward and 13 Mile. Officials say the juried fine art show, sponsored by the Royal Oak Arts Council and Royal Oak Recreation Department, has national ranking as one of the top fairs in the United States. The show attracts artists from across the country, who will have work for sale in categories including drawing, painting, photography, clay, collage, glass, metal, wood, jewelry, leather/fiber and mixed media. Food concessions will be on site for lunch and dinner. Call the Royal Oak Recreation Department at (248) 246-3180 or visit www.royaloakchamber.com.

Art in the Park in Warren — The 28th annual Art in the Park, sponsored by Warren Tri-County Fine Arts Inc. and the Warren Cultural Commission, will be held July 12 and 13 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Warren’s new Civic Center, just off Van Dyke, north of 12 Mile Road. The annual art fair, which focuses on fine arts and crafts, also features food, entertainment, a tent for children and hourly drawings for $20 gift certificates toward the purchase of any art in the fair. Ribbons and cash awards are juried for both two and three-dimensional artwork. Call (586) 795-5471 or visit www.warrenfinearts.com.

The Farmington Area Founders Festival, Art on the Grand — The Farmington Area Founders Festival will host Art on the Grand, the fine arts section of an annual community celebration, in historic downtown Farmington, July 18-20.  Art on the Grand is a juried fine art fair presented by the city of Farmington Hills Special Services Department’s Cultural Arts Division in cooperation with the Farmington Area Founders Festival, which welcomes fine artists from across the country. Visitors can stroll through a variety of media, including paintings, sculpture, fiber, ceramics, glass, photography and more. Attendees can hear performances of jazz, Celtic, oldies and Latin music. A “living statue,” free hands-on activities and face paintings by Lovely the Clown will also be offered. Art on the Grand is located on the corner of Grand River and Farmington Road, extending into Memorial Park. Admission is free. Call (248) 473-1857 or visit www.foundersfestival.com.

Orchard Lake Fine Art Show — The Orchard Lake Fine Art Show, which focuses solely on the visual arts, will be held July 25-27 on the campus of Orchard Lake Schools at the corner of Indian Trail and Commerce roads. The juried art show features approximately 150 artists from across the nation. The event features music, food, sculpture and glasswork demonstrations, and art activities for children — including plaster painting, tie-dye T-shirts, candle making and face painting. Call (248) 684-2613 or visit www.hotworks.org.

Sterlingfest Art & Jazz Fair in Sterling Heights — The Sterlingfest Art & Jazz Fair will be held July 31-Aug. 2. The event will feature a juried art and crafts fair with work from more than 100 artisans, a family midway, Restaurant Row, music and entertainment throughout the day, evening concerts at 7 p.m., a refreshment tent, food from local restaurants, and the AT&T Kidzfest Tent. Thursday night’s concert will be preceded by the annual 5,000 balloon launch, and the Meijer Laser Light show will follow Friday’s concert. Call  (586) 446-2489 or visit www.sterlingfest.info.

August
Fine Art at the Village in Rochester Hills — On Aug. 2-3, the fine art and crafts of more than 100 juried artists from around the country will appear at the Village of Rochester Hills shopping center, 104 N. Adams Road in Rochester Hills, for the Fine Art at the Village. The event will include free admission, parking, entertainment, children’s activities and a drawing for artwork. An outdoor food court will also be available. For more information, visit www.FineArtAtTheVillage.com.

The Shelby Township Art Fair — The Shelby Township Art Fair, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, will be held Aug. 9-10 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the Shelby Township Municipal Grounds, on Van Dyke, just south of 24 Mile Road. In addition to artists exhibiting and selling their work, the fair will feature family entertainment, and a craft and activity corner for children. Admission and parking are free. For more information, call (586) 731-0300 or visit www.shelbyparksandrecreation.org.