Updated May 19, 2026 at 7:50 a.m.
Preparations for Ann Arbor’s 57th annual Art Fair are in full swing. During a preview Monday at Knight's Steakhouse, commemorative posters for the Ann Arbor Art Fair's three incorporated fairs were revealed.
Matthew Cornell designed the poster for the "Original" Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, artist Jonah Ballard designed the poster for the Ann Arbor Street District Art Fair. The poster for the Ann Arbor Summer Art Fair is the work of artist Erin Sweeney.
Nearly 1,000 artists span 30 blocks throughout downtown for Ann Arbor’s Art Fair that incorporates three independently juried art fairs.
Karen Delhey is Executive Director of the Guild of Artists and Artisans. She oversees the Ann Arbor Summer Art Fair. She says while nearly half a million visitors turn out for the event, she’s concerned about a drop in the number of visitors this year due to tariffs.
“We’ve seen a decline in international artists, and I think part of that has to do with some of the tariffs and things, But I am worried about that I think we will see a different audience this year.”
Along with inflation, Delhey says the tariffs could impact cross border activity. Delhey says several artists from Canada have opted not to return to the Art Fair this year because of international tensions and tariffs.
“We do other fairs, so the Guild produces eight art fairs each year; we just had one in Birmingham, Michigan. And I will say we did see a difference in the buying patterns at those events, so it will be interesting to see how Ann Arbor works out.”
The Art Fair runs July 16-18 and includes the Original Street Ann Arbor Art Fair, the Guild’s Summer Art Fair and the State Street District Art Fair.
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