By James Windell
What started out as a clothesline show in the park has evolved into a juried art fair with more than 100 artists and attracting more than 5,000 people to Stanley Johnson Park.
According to South Haven Center for the Arts Director Kerry Hagy, this year’s fair, the 67th Annual Art Fair, will actually feature 104 artists.
“We are having a art demo booth for the first time this year.” Hagy says. “Also, artist and printmaker Vanessa Rae Brocato will be demonstrating print making in our new demonstration tent, when families can watch and try a print for themselves.”
Always in Stanley Johnston Park on the first weekend of July, this year’s fair will be on the 4th of July weekend.
Hagy notes that the many artists exhibiting their work will come from all over the U.S. and they will include painters, jewelers, ceramicists, sculptors, fiber, wood, glass artists and more. “We have a caricature artist and the South Haven Center for the Arts provides hands-on art activities for the whole family,” Hagy says. “Food vendors include pizza, coffee, barbecue, lemonade, nuts, kettle corn, candy and hotdogs.”
She notes that painter Justin Johnson from Eau Claire, Wisconsin will be joining the list of artists us for the first time. He uses acrylic and oil paint to create traditional Native American Woodland Style art. Also, Sabrian Skye, a South Haven artist, will be a new artist this year. “She is in the drawing category which is very cool because it tends to be a smaller category and we love having South Haven artists in the art fair,” says Hagy.
Since it is a juried art fair, there will be prizes for the artists judged Best in Show, along with second and third place and honorable mention in that category. There will also be three Judges Choice awards given out. For the third year in a row, Samantha Gorill will be making unique hand painted wooden awards for the fair, but winning artists also receive cash prizes and a one-of-a-kind trophy.
The South Haven Art Fair will be held in Stanley Johnston Park from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm on Saturday, July 4, and 10:00 am to 4:00 pm on Sunday, July 5. Hagy says they’ll offer a shuttle from South Haven Senior Services to the park that Sunday.
For more information, visit the South Haven Center for the Arts website at www.southhavenarts.org/southhavenartfair2026
