EAST LANSING, Mich. — The 59th Annual East Lansing Art Festival (ELAF) will bring 174 artists and thousands of visitors to downtown East Lansing on the weekend of May 21-22, 2022. The festival will take place from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Saturday, May 21 and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Sunday, May 22.
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 Albert EL Fresco pedestrian space. View the Festival Site Plan (PDF).
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 artwork during the festival. Visitors will find a variety of art mediums at the festival, including everything from non-functional and functional ceramics to paintings, mixed media, fiber art, digital art, wood, metal, photography, glass, jewelry, printmaking, photography, sculpture and metal art. A list of exhibiting artists can be viewed at http://www.elartfest.com/artists.
Music & Performances
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) throughout the weekend. Saturday performances will include Eugene Clark, the Greater Lansing Academy of Dance, Amy Petty, Ammy Amorette and the Eagle Spirit Dancers. Sunday performances will include Flames N Dames, Cross-Eyed Strangers, C-Mighty-Risky Music Group, Joe Reilly and the Community Gardeners with the All Nations Dancers and Angela Davis. Visit http://www.elartfest.com/schedules to view the ELAF live music and performance schedule.
Artist Demonstration Area
The Artist Demonstration Area will also be returning to this year’s festival and will be located outside of the East Lansing Marriott in Fountain Square (corner of Albert and M.A.C. avenues). Festival goers are encouraged to stop by for several hands-on arts activities offered by GL Reality Labs, Community Dark Room, the East Lansing High School Art Department, the East Lansing Public Library, the Greater Lansing Pottery Guild and the East Lansing Ceramics Group. The Artist Demonstration Area schedule can be viewed at http://www.elartfest.com/schedules.
NEW – Floral Installation by Sparrow Bloom Co.
New this year, there will be a larger-than-life floral installation by Sparrow Bloom Co. located near the intersection of Albert Avenue and Division Street. Festival goers are encouraged to take selfies with the installation!
Festival Food
For those who work up an appetite, there will be a variety of unique onsite food vendors in the Bailey Street Parking Lot, 139 Bailey St. The 2022 ELAF food vendors include Genovese Concessions, Fire & Rice, The Smoke ‘N Pig BBQ, Melting Moments, Tantay: Peruvian Cuisine, Frick’n Good Cookies, Melted Cheese Grill, The Nut House and Picnic Food Truck. Community members can also find plenty of great dining options at the local businesses 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 59th Annual ELAF can sign up at http://www.elartfest.com/volunteersnew.
Visit www.elartfest.com for additional information about the festival. Information on festival street closures and how to get to the festival will be provided in a press release closer to the date of the event.
The 59th Annual East Lansing Art Festival is supported by grants from the East Lansing Arts Commission and the Michigan Arts and Cultural Council. The ELAF’s Pinnacle Sponsor is Jackson®. The ELAF’s Premier Sponsor is Desk Drawer Fund – A Foundation Supporting the MSUFCU and OU Credit Union Communities.