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HAZEL PARK — Now in its 11th year, the Hazel Park Art Fair will once again bring together talent both established and upcoming. New this year is a partnership with the Clawson Clay Guild, whose potters will teach their craft, get audience members involved, and compete with each other in different categories.
The festival takes place at Green Acres Park, 620 W. Woodward Heights Blvd. in Hazel Park, the last weekend of the month, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 26, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 27. The event is family-friendly and free to attend.
Potters from the Clawson Clay Guild will square off in the “Clazel Park” Pottery Showdown, beginning at 2 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday. They will strive for glory in contests such as “Throwing Blind,” where the goal is to make the tallest cylinder while blindfolded; “Speed Throwing,” where they aim to make the most coffee mugs in 10 minutes; “Best Likeness,” where each potter has 10 minutes to create a sculpture of an audience member; and “Surprise Category,” where the goal won’t be revealed until immediately before it begins.
Andy LeCureaux, a member of the Hazel Park City Council, is a huge fan of the event.
“The Hazel Park Art Fair is one of my favorite things to volunteer at,” LeCureaux said. “I set up the artists the morning the day of, and I just love it. I have pieces of art that I have purchased from every one of our fairs.”
The event is organized by a planning committee set up through the Hazel Park Arts Council. The committee is comprised of four people: the chairperson Amy Aubry and members Lilly Ristau, Charlie Rysenga and Rob Zograph. Aubry said via email that the event is privately funded and run entirely by volunteers.
“Our sponsors and fundraising efforts help us keep the fair affordable for vendors,” she said.
There were about 100 vendors at last year’s fair, which was attended by more than 4,000 people over the course of the weekend.
“We continue to receive positive feedback from attendees and our vendors, who have praised the weekend volunteers as being some of the best they’ve worked with at similar events,” Aubry said. “We continue to have vendors return year after year, and even experienced a record number of vendor applications this year.”
Vendors this year will sell fine art and functional ware in nearly every medium imaginable. There will also be clothing and jewelry, baked goods and more.
As for live entertainment, in addition to the pottery program, D3 Circus will perform all weekend with stilt walkers and aerial silks, and both days will feature live figure drawings by artists from the group See What Stacey Started.
There will also be a yoga fundraiser at 11 a.m. on Sunday. The 60-minute program by Body Party is suitable for all levels, and will teach yoga techniques while raising money for the Ruth Ellis Center, which creates opportunities for LGBTQ+ youth, providing them counseling, safe spaces and more. This year’s goal is to raise $1,250. The cost is a suggested donation of $25.
Another fundraiser is the charity beer garden, featuring a selection of craft beer, wine spritzers and newly added cocktails. All proceeds support the Hazel Park Arts Council. There will also be crafts available for kids to take home, free of charge. Food vendors will provide plenty to eat, as well.
LeCureaux said he’s looking forward to everything this year’s fair has to offer.
“I love how it just gets bigger and better each year,” he said. “It’s a real family event.”
