Ann Arbor Art Fair Turns 50

Source: TheDetroitNews.com

ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN / July 9, 2009 — The Ann Arbor Art Fairs — that quartet of independently sponsored fairs that occupy central Ann Arbor for four fizzy days every summer – celebrate their 50th anniversary next week.

The oldest of them – the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, “the Original” – is turning 50 on Wednesday. The Street Fair first set up shop way back in 1960 on two blocks of South University Avenue.

Together with the other three fairs comprising the whole – the South University, State Street Area (which came along in 1967) and the Summer Art Fairs, respectively – this sprawling, four-day, city-wide bazaar draws more than 500,000 visitors annually, and hundreds of artists from across North America.

New this year will be an expanded performance area on Ingalls Mall, a much-larger tent that will shelter talent from Mick Bassett and the Marthas to Sista Otis and the Wholly Rollers…Read the full article >>

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What are your favorite Ann Arbor Art Fair memories? Share them here!

• For Ann Arbor Art Fair details and a complete list of events visit www.artfair.org/
• To learn more about becoming a member of the Ann Arbor Guild of Artists & Artisans visit www.theguild.org

Park West Customer Gives Thanks to Artist Leslie Lew

Dear Leslie [Lew],

Jennifer and I had a wonderful time talking and spending time with you in Atlanta at the Park West VIP event.

Words cannot express the thanks I want to give you for painting the flag on my cane. Every time I look at it I will have the memory of meeting you.  

Again, thanks for making our weekend one we will never forget.

Phil & Jennifer W.
Sumter, South Carolina
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Have you been to a Park West art auction? Leave a comment & share your experience with us!

• Learn about the artist Leslie Lew
• View samples from the Park West Gallery Leslie Lew Art Collection

BBC1 Announces Modern Masters Arts Series

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Modern Masters, four-part peaktime arts documentary series for BBC1, to consider Picasso, Dali, Matisse, Warhol

UNITED KINGDOM / July 9, 2009 — BBC1 is to launch a new peaktime arts documentary series looking at the impact of four major artists on the world.

Modern Masters, which will feature Picasso, Dali, Matisse and Warhol, was confirmed by BBC1 controller Jay Hunt at the unveiling of the channel’s autumn season launch today, although it is not due to air until next year.

The four-part series, for which a presenter has yet to be named, will look in depth at each artist and “explore why these modern masters deserve their fame and how their legacy continues to pervade our culture and everyday lives.”

The first episode will profile Pablo Picasso, from his early career in Spain and Paris and his first figurative works through to the birth of cubism and his influence on architecture and fashion. Episode two will feature Salvador Dali and the birth of surrealism, while Henri Matisse will appear in the third. The final film looks at Andy Warhol, moving through his most memorable images and looking at their current appeal and impact on the world of advertising and media.

“This bold new series looks at how the work of four iconic artists has influenced our lives,” said Hunt, who commissioned the show. “It tackles why modern art matters and I am thrilled to have such an ambitious piece on BBC1.”

Read the Full Article >>

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Which other influential artists deserve to be profiled on the Modern Masters program? Share your thoughts here!

• About the Park West Gallery Picasso collection
• About the Park West Gallery Dali collection