EAST LANSING, Mich. — The 58th Annual East Lansing Art Festival (ELAF) will bring more than 80 artists and thousands of visitors to downtown East Lansing on the weekend of August 7-8, 2021. The festival will take place from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Saturday, August 7 and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Sunday, August 8.
The event will take place on M.A.C. Avenue, from Grand River Avenue to Albert Avenue, and Albert Avenue, from the entrance/exit to the Albert Avenue Garage (the garage will remain accessible to eastbound Albert Avenue traffic) to Bailey Street. The festival site will also include Ann Street Plaza, Fountain Square and the new Albert EL Fresco pedestrian space.
Offerings for this year’s festival will be on a smaller scale due to the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic during the festival planning and the priority placed on spacing booths and activities to allow for physical distancing. There will also be some virtual offerings on the ELAF Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/ELArtFest, for those who do not feel comfortable attending the in-person event, and an ELAF Green Team will be circulating during the festival to disinfect surfaces.
“While this year’s festival may look a little different than previous festivals, we are excited to be able to bring back an in-person event this year that will offer up much of what festival patrons have enjoyed during previous festivals on a slightly smaller scale,” said East Lansing Art Festival Coordinator Heather Majano.
Art
Juried fine art and craft exhibitors from across the United States will make their way to East Lansing to showcase and sell various types of artworks during the festival. Visitors will find everything from non-functional and functional ceramics to paintings, mixed-media, drawings, fiber art, glass, jewelry, digital art, metal, sculpture, wood, photography, prints and more. A list of exhibiting artists can be viewed at http://www.elartfest.com/artists.
Music, Performances & Demonstrations
In addition to the art, the Jackson® Main Stage will feature live music and performances in Ann Street Plaza (corner of Albert and M.A.C. avenues) and artist demonstrations will take place across the street from the stage in Fountain Square. Schedules for the live music, performances and demonstrations can be viewed at http://www.elartfest.com/schedules.
ELAF Children’s Area & Food Court
The ELAF Children’s Area, located on M.A.C. avenue, will feature a variety of fun art activities for all ages - from toddlers to teens. Activities will include a mix of on-site activities as well as take-and-make activities that can be enjoyed at home. The food court; located on Albert Avenue, between Division Street and Bailey Street; will feature a variety of unique on-site food vendors, including Fire & Rice, Melting Moments, Premier Kettle Corn and Tantay: Peruvian Cuisine.
Getting To the Festival & Street Closures
The festival can be accessed by vehicle, bike and foot. A festival site map that highlights downtown parking locations can be viewed here http://www.elartfest.com/day-of. The majority of parking locations will remain accessible despite street closures for the festival. The Albert Avenue Garage, 188 Albert Avenue, will remain accessible to eastbound Albert Avenue traffic and the Grove Street Garage, 330 Grove Street, will remain accessible by taking Abbot Road to Linden Street to Grove Street. The Charles Street Garage, 121 Charles St., and Division Street Garage, 181 Division St., will remain accessible from Grand River Avenue. Accessible/barrier free parking is available in all lots and garages in downtown East Lansing.
Get Involved
The ELAF is a free-to-the-public event that relies on the support of local sponsors and community donations. Community members can donate online at http://www.elartfest.com/sponsorsnew. Community volunteers are also vital to the success of the festival each year. Community members interested in volunteering at the 58th Annual ELAF can sign up at http://www.elartfest.com/volunteersnew.
Visit www.elartfest.com for additional information about the festival.
The 58th Annual East Lansing Art Festival is supported by grants from the East Lansing Arts Commission and the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs. The ELAF’s Pinnacle Sponsor is Jackson National Life Insurance Company ® and Corporate Sponsors are LeafFilter® and T-Mobile.