In 2009, the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair marked its fiftieth year of connecting artists and art lovers. During that time, Ann Arbor's original art fair expanded from 142 artists sitting on the street to an internationally-recognized art fair. It spawned three additional art fairs held at the same time each year, with which it draws more than half a million visitors to be one of the largest art fairs in North America. Despite the growth of the art fair, some goals haven't changed from summer to summer, particularly the goal of bringing great art to Ann Arbor. To learn more about the development of the art fairs in Ann Arbor, read Grace Shackman's article Flower Power in Bloom from our Ann Arbor Observer: Then & Now collection.
This project seeks to document the 50 year history of the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair through words, images, and sounds; click on the history panels below to read about the path the Art Fair has taken browse a collection of over 100 images including photos and promotional materials listen to the memories of art fair participants and visitors, or watch videos to remind yourself about what has made the art fair last a half century.
 1959-1960 |
 1960-1969 |
 1970-1979 |
 1980-1989 |
 1990-1999 |
 2000-2009 |
This exhibit was originally produced for display at the 50th Annual Ann Arbor Street Art Fair.
Concept & Content: Royce Disbrow
Graphic Design: Julie Rodriguez
Print & Production: DIY Decals + Signs