Levis art fair makes its mark

PERRYSBURG – The annual Levis Commons Fine Art Fair has put its mark on the local community.
First staged five years ago when the Town Center at Levis Commons was still in its infancy, the art fair
has exceeded the expectations of the center’s management, said Casey Pogan, the marketing director for
Levis.
The idea, she said, was to create a "signature event," one that people would look forward to
every year and even invite friends from out of town to attend – a "can’t-miss-it sort of
event."
The Levis Commons Fine Art Fair will return Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6
p.m. Admission is free.
The show includes more than 125 artists and artisans working in a variety of media including jewelry,
ceramics, painting, glass, photography, fiber, wood and mixed media. Art activities for children will be
offered throughout the weekend.
One of those who has enjoyed attending the show is Suzanne Beavis, of Perrysburg. "Anytime you have
various forms of art displayed it serves as inspiration and enjoyment," she said.
This year, for the first time, Beavis will be exhibiting her own work, jewelry made from beads she crafts
herself.
"I think the community has really embraced this event," said Max Clayton, the executive
director of the Guild of Artists and Artisans which produces the art fair.
She estimates that in the first year about 15,000 people visited the show. Last year, she estimates about
35,000 attended.
The guild, which also stages the Ann Arbor Summer Art Fair as well as several other art fairs, has a
mission "to connect artists with the community," Clayton said. "When we see that kind of
support, it’s speaking to our mission."
Art fairs help the artists and artisans talk directly to their customers with no middlemen.
At all the shows produced by the guild, artists are required to be in their booth, Clayton said.
"That’s something we’re committed to."
And organizers monitor booths during the fair to make sure that’s the case, she added.
Being able to talk to the artists is "all part of the experience," and for artists who may
spend days on end alone in their studios creating the work, the interaction is welcomed, she said.

The feedback they get from fairgoers also "feeds their whole artistic process," with the
comments they receive helping to shape future work, Clayton said.
Beavis expects she’ll see plenty of folks she knows. "You see people you haven’t seen in
years," the jeweler said. "It’s always fun."
But all is not rosy for artists in terms of sales given the poor state of the economy.
The market "has definitely been affected by the economy," Beavis sad.
Clayton said earlier in the year the guild was hearing that some shows were "very bad." But as
the year progressed sales at guild shows have been "very good," she said. At the Ann Arbor
event "sales were phenomenal" with some artists reporting "record-breaking"
business.
"I feel there’s a lessening of the gloom and doom," she said.
Admission at events including Levis is free with free parking making it a cheap vacation alternative. If
folks are not spending money on a hotel or travel, she said, maybe they’ll be more inclined to buy some
arts and crafts.
"People have been diligent in saving and cutting spending, and once in a while you need to indulge
yourself," Pogan said.
"People are really beginning to value that sense of authenticity of the handmade items. That
hand-made in America quality is very important to people purchasing art," Clayton said.
As an artist, Beavis said, slack sales can be a creative incentive. "As artists it’s up to us to
think outside the box of things that are affordable to customers."
The town center does well by the art fair, Pogan noted with the restaurants benefiting most directly from
increased business. All the merchants, she said, understand that the festival provides exposure for the
center and draws in people from around the region.