Latest news with #AnnArborArtFair
Gulf Today
20-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Gulf Today
Art Fair earrings made from skateboards, Trump protests and gravel pit worries
An oil painter, when he struggled to run my credit card, let me take home a small print — a still life labeled 'skull and ivy' — without cost. I looked in awe at large, textured landscapes and colorful abstractions I would have loved to prominently place in my living room (in the vain hope the pricey pieces would go unharmed by NERF bullets, basketballs or any number of makeshift projectiles). And I purchased — after excessive deliberations over color and shape patiently tolerated by the booth attendant — the coolest earrings. They are playful, graphic and cleverly crafted from broken skateboards by North Carolina artist Tara Locklear. (Yes, I assured my co-worker, I will wear them.) Oddly, I know, for a journalist and life-long Michigan resident, I had never been until this week to the Ann Arbor Art Fair, which kicked off Tuesday and began in earnest Thursday, and I quickly came to realize I've been missing much. I long heard local warnings of traffic tangles, parking perils and insufferable crowds. Sure the mild Thursday weather helped, but I found none of those things, not really. On a work break, I spent longer than I should have and I could have spent far longer perusing those many tents. Thomas LeGault performs a live painting in his booth during Art Fair in downtown Ann Arbor. Tribune News Service Puffer fish flying above the sea. A watercolor Brussel sprout composed on a paint color sample. Antlers sprouting from a coral-like clay pot. So many beautiful, unusual or unusually beautiful items. I didn't buy a lot; my art budget is small. But I found joy in the looking, the exploring. Eventually, I did return to work. Art Fair has taken over the town, yes, but it's not the only news of the week. For one, protesters again hoisted signs in opposition to President Donald Trump. 'Good Trouble Lives On' demonstrations were planned throughout the nation and Ann Arbor in honor of U.S. Rep. John Lewis on the five-year anniversary of his death Thursday, July 17. Reporter Nicholas Alumkal was there to collect activists' thoughts. 'It just seems like our country is being led by an incapable madman,' said Lois Maharg, holding a sign with the initialism GOP standing for 'gutless, obsequious panderers' near Veterans Memorial Park. 'Our whole government is just being canceled. Democracy is canceled, and I am very concerned about that.' In Ann Arbor Township, residents are concerned about the Vella Pit, a gravel and sand mine on Earhart Road. Operator Mid Michigan Materials seeks a permit to create an approximately 59-acre lake to extract material from below the water table. This comes after some residents' drinking water wells ran dry and a lawsuit alleging the gravel pit is responsible is pending; settlement talks are underway, the township supervisor told Jen Eberbach last week. Michael Watts, a resident, said there are 'ongoing issues,' and 'distrust' of the mining company, as wells slowly recover. Ceramic artwork by Corey and Stacey Bechler of Bechler Pottery on display in their booth during Art Fair in downtown Ann Arbor. Tribune News Service Back in Ann Arbor, in another lawsuit, two taxpayers are challenging city ballot proposals A and B, up for an Aug. 5 vote, as perpetrating a 'fraud upon the electorate.' Voter approval would allow the city to sell the Library Lane property to the Ann Arbor District Library and undo a 2018 city charter amendment declaring it must become a downtown urban park and civic commons. The ballot wording, which city officials say would be legally compelling, states the city could sell the land 'for the purpose of building a mixed-use development that includes additional library services, housing, retail and programmable open public space.' Opponents and the complaint, however, argue the library could do whatever it wants with the property after the city transfers it for $1. Mayor Christopher Taylor called it 'campaign disinformation in the form of a lawsuit,' and district library Director Eli Neiburger, in response to critics, said the proposals aren't giving away the property to developers. In tragic news, a 25-year-old father of four, DaJon Ryans, died in an Ypsilanti shooting. Two men have since been arrested and charged, but not with murder. Reporter Jordyn Pair is revealing the details. At the University of Michigan, the Board of Regents agreed to fire a professor in the School of Music, Theatre and Dance, and two Ann Arbor institutions — one of them UM — were awarded millions for startups and entrepreneurs. To end, as I always like to do, on a softer note: 11-year-old Tucker Lambert of Saline Township is doing some heavy hauling to fund his UM ambitions. Farmers' pains — field rocks — are dollars for the quiet, young entrepreneur. Enjoy the Art Fair! I might have to return. I keep thinking of these small, ceramic vases sold by a Florida artist... If you would rather not, I hear there are a whole lot of chicken dinners available this weekend in Manchester. Tribune News Service
Axios
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
The art fair Olympics return to Ann Arbor
A thousand artists will sell their sculptures, ceramics, paintings and photographs along 30 blocks across downtown Ann Arbor in what one metalsmith calls the annual art fair Olympics. Why it matters: The three-day Ann Arbor Art Fair, which is expected to bring 400,000 visitors, is one of the nation's largest juried art fairs. It provides fun and shopping for those in need of a unique day off — or one-of-a-kind artwork for those looking to elevate their homes. State of play: Aside from endless stalls of art, expect live music, ceramic demonstrations, glassblowing and other hands-on activities during the free fair on July 17 and 18, 10am-9pm; and July 19, 10am-8pm. Zoom in: Among artists showing their work is Detroit-based Collyn DeBano, a metalsmith who casts jewelry from plants. Her business is Tree Trunk Arts. DeBano's exact replicas of plants in metal include bronze earrings from casts of bark, silver peperomia leaf earrings and necklace chains holding small silver twigs. She finds plant material on Belle Isle, around Russell Woods and wherever she travels. What they're saying: DeBano has participated in the Ann Arbor Art Fair for more than a decade and makes fresh pieces to debut there each year. This time around, she's working on cherry branch pieces from Belle Isle's Sunset Point. The fair is "like the Olympics for anybody in the craft world," she tells Axios. "It is the peak of the season, it's always the hottest weekend of the year. We prepare and train for it all year." If you go: The massive fair can be a lot to navigate. "If you're new, check out the website first to make your plan of attack," fair executive director Karen Delhey tells Axios. "I always recommend people to go with the flow when you come because there's so much to see and do. Just plan to walk around, wear comfortable shoes." New this year, the youth art fair has expanded, with young artists exhibiting for the first time, and a kids' collectors club allowing young visitors to buy donated pieces of art for $10 each.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
6 Waterfront Destinations for Retirees That Won't Break the Bank
You don't have to drain your savings to retire near the water with a beautiful view. These six waterfront cities in the U.S. are known for their natural scenery, low to moderate living costs, accessible healthcare and active communities, which make them solid spots for retirees to settle down. Find Out: Read Next: Median home price: $526,671 Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,695 Ann Arbor is located along the Huron River and blends urban sophistication with serene nature. Though this place's cost of living is a bit above the national average, it's balanced by a high quality of life and excellent healthcare. The city is also home to the University of Michigan Health System, one of the top hospitals in the country. Retirees can enjoy scenic parks, riverfront trails and vibrant cultural events like the Ann Arbor Art Fair. Public transportation via TheRide also makes it pretty easy to get around. See More: Median home price: $383,548 Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,499 Orlando isn't just known for its theme parks. It's also retiree-friendly. Lakes dot the city, which gives you a waterfront feel without having to pay the high price tag of oceanfront property. Orlando's cost of living is roughly 4% below the national average, and you won't have to pay state income tax since you're in Florida. Orlando also has some top-notch medical facilities, such as AdventHealth Orlando and Orlando Health. So if you need medical attention during your retirement years, you're in good hands. Though Orlando isn't the most pedestrian-friendly, it has the Lynx bus system and the SunRail that could get you around the city. Median home price: $433,790 Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,804 Sarasota, Florida, is a Gulf Coast gem that offers retirees white-sand beaches, walkable neighborhoods and a diverse art scene. Though the cost of living is above average, living here will give you easy access to exceptional healthcare, a laid-back lifestyle and world-class beaches. The city is home to Sarasota Memorial Hospital, one of Florida's top-rated health facilities. There's also a trolley system called The Bay Runner that connects the best of Sarasota Keys and Downtown. Median home price: $124,989 Average rent (one-bedroom): $700 Toledo may not be the first place you think of when it comes to waterfront living, but this city on Lake Erie offers a peaceful, budget-friendly retirement option. With a cost of living of around 4% below the national average, it's one of the most affordable waterfront towns on this list. The city features a growing arts and food scene, waterfront parks and low housing costs. ProMedica Toledo Hospital and Mercy Health provide strong local healthcare options. TARTA, the local transit authority, offers discounted fares for seniors. Median home price: $415,868 Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,540 Virginia Beach combines resort-town appeal with a family friendly vibe. You'll find over 35 miles of coastline, nature trails, boardwalks and a wide range of housing options. Though the cost of living is slightly higher than the national average, many retirees find it worth the premium. Healthcare is pretty solid here. Plus, the city also offers HRT (Hampton Roads Transit), which features lower fares for older adults. Median home price: $331,321 Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,169 People don't usually think of the Twin Cities when they imagine retirement spots, but they actually have pretty amazing lakeside living, cultural attractions and some of the best healthcare in the Midwest. There are over 20 lakes scattered throughout Minneapolis and St. Paul, so you can enjoy scenic views without the high cost that typically comes with coastal towns. You can find many big hospitals here as well, like the Mayo Clinic and Allina Health. And if you don't drive, you can take the Metro Transit system to get around. If you're planning to retire in a waterfront destination, make sure to think beyond just the scenery. First, check that there's solid healthcare nearby. That means easy access to doctors, clinics and hospitals without having to drive hours to get there. Affordability is important, too. A gorgeous town won't be that appealing anymore if you're constantly worried about how you're going to pay your rent/mortgage. You'll also want to think about how you'll get around, especially if you don't plan on driving during retirement. Make sure the city you're moving to has convenient public transit or neighborhoods that are easy to walk in. Editor's note: Home and rent prices were sourced from Zillow on May 30, 2025, and are subject to change. More From GOBankingRates Mark Cuban Says Trump's Executive Order To Lower Medication Costs Has a 'Real Shot' -- Here's Why This article originally appeared on 6 Waterfront Destinations for Retirees That Won't Break the Bank
