Discovering The Mature Lifestyle Annual summer celebrations don’t happen without volunteers Page 6
Festivals
June 18, 2015
June Issue
Edina Art Fair, Schooner Days in Eden Prairie draw big crowds BY SUE WEBBER CONTRIBUTING WRITER A nationally known Art Fair in Edina and a Lions-sponsored celebration in Eden Prairie have one thing in common. Both are supported and promoted by dedicated participants and long-time volunteers.
EDINA ART FAIR – JUNE 5-7
“I love this art fair,” said Marti Johnson, who lives 10 blocks away from the site of the Edina Art Fair and has been the jewelry artist in Booth 433 for more than 20 years. “I attended the fair before I became involved,” Johnson said. “I thought I’d give it a go.” This is Edina’s 49th annual Art Fair, an event hosted by the 50th and France Business and Professional Association. It’s grown from a few crafters assembled at 50th and France to the second largest art fair in Minnesota. “It’s the first large art fair of the season,” Johnson said. “Customers are so happy to get outside and look around. Everyone’s in a fun mood. You get to know a lot of people in the area. Customers tend to come back from year to year.” A 35-year resident of Edina, Johnson became a jewelry artist 20 years ago. “I do 30 shows a year,” she said. “I’ve changed what I have done, based on trends. In traveling around the country, I run into different suppliers and that changes the work I do. I start with a new season and new things for people to look at.” She is moving “quite a bit” in the direc-
Eden Prairie Schooner Days is at Round Lake Park. (Submitted Photo)
tion of jewelry made from organic materials, Johnson said. Johnson said she has found that “there’s really, really a great strong art community here.” “People come from all over the country
to the Midwest,” she said. “There’s a culture that really appreciates handmade work.” Volunteers for the Art Fair come from local businesses, community groups, people from the neighborhood who express interest, friends
and family of those people, and an organization called Volunteer Match, according to Diana Fleetham, manager of The Optical at 50th & France since 2003 and a ART FAIR - TO PAGE 3