CELEBRATING THE 50TH ANNIVERARY OF THE ISLAND ART FAIR IN GRAND LEDGE!
By Jenny Black
The summer of 2023 will mark a very special milestone in the history of the Grand Ledge Island Art Fair. As one of Michigan’s longest running arts and crafts shows, this event has become a mainstay of Grand Ledge life and a testament to the creative energy of its residents.
At the end of July, over 150 arts and crafts vendors from all over the state of Michigan will converge on Island Park for the 50th Annual Island Art Fair. This event, free and open to the public, gives visitors an opportunity to view art and meet artists, all in a beautiful island setting.
In addition to the unique, quality work by artists and artisans, this juried art fair features live music and delicious food. To mark the event’s 50th anniversary, visitors will be treated to special festivities this year, though exactly what those elements will be, remains a surprise.
Stephene Lapp, Director of the Island Art Fair, does not want to spoil the surprise by divulging too many details about the 50th anniversary celebration, but we can be sure this year will have some extra fun features.
“What I can tell you for sure, is that we are going gold for the 50th anniversary and it is sure to be glittering and illuminating,” Lapp said.
In addition to celebrating the 50th year milestone, Lapp said it is the annual traditions, like the ribbon-cutting ceremony that officially opens the art fair, that give the event a timeless appeal.
“People look forward to the ribbon-cutting every year, and it wouldn’t feel like the Island Art Fair without opening it with this ceremony,” Lapp said.
The first Island Art Fair was held in 1973 with only 25 vendors, who had no tents or tables, just products on the grass. After the first successful fair, Marilyn Smith and her group of friends opened Ledge Craft Lane to offer artists a space to sell their arts and crafts all year long.
The first fair was such a hit that it continued year after year, with the number of vendors growing annually. There are now over 150 vendors who come from all over the state of Michigan for this exciting day-long event. The number of visitors has increased over the years as well, swelling to approximately 6,000 visitors each year.
Demand to take part in the Island Art Fair is high. Vendors must apply and be approved by a six-member jury in order to secure a spot. The jury process is intended to keep the quality of the artwork high and also ensure there is a wide range of work from different categories.
Dedicated Volunteers Make This Beloved Event a Success
The Island Art Fair could not happen without the help of a hard-working Director and a group of amazing volunteers. These dedicated volunteers are the backbone of Ledge Craft Lane and the Island Art Fair.
Lapp, who is also President of Ledge Craft Lane, follows in the footsteps of Ledge Craft Lane founder Marilyn Smith in carrying the torch for the arts in Grand Ledge. Lapp is enthusiastic and passionate about the arts in her community. For Lapp, part of that positive aspect includes the unique and scenic location of the Island Art Fair.
“We do this because we love art and we want to give people a positive space to look at art,” Lapp said. “Where else can you have an art festival on an island? It’s a beautiful setting and an uplifting atmosphere. We love to share that with people.”
In fact, Lapp’s connection to the Grand Ledge arts scene began when she started showing her own artwork at Ledge Craft Lane in 2017. From then, her work with the volunteers of Ledge Craft Lane and the art fair bloomed into a fulfilling job that would progress from Office Manager to President of Ledge Craft Lane and Director of the art fair. She works year-round to coordinate all the tasks that make the Island Art Fair an annual success, and continues to create and show her own art as well.
In addition to Lapp’s year-round work, the art fair would not be possible without a group of highly capable volunteers who work together year after year.
“We are like a family. With lots of experience, they know how to make the event run smoothly, like a well-oiled machine,” Lapp said.
Over 500 volunteers have helped at the Island Art Fair in the last 49 years. Lapp would like to give a shout-out to some of the special people who make this event a success year after year. The list includes Dave & Pat Finnie, who are still around after more than twenty years of volunteering.
In addition, she would also like to thank volunteers who head the committees who hold things together, including Annette Ryan, Chair of Food & Beverage; Cindy Langenberg, Chair of Information; Ginny Balgoyen; Chair of Signage; Corinne Edgecomb, Chair of Traffic; and Kelly Waterman, Chair of Music. Each chair has a hard working crew to help them out, bringing the total number of volunteers to between 40 and 60 each year.
Since this art fair takes place on an island, it is important to have the logistics in place in order for everyone to enjoy the day. With just one pedestrian bridge to get on and off of the island, it is like a highly choreographed dance to get all the vendors set up on the island and then make it possible for the 6,000 plus people to visit the air fair.
However, this group of dedicated volunteers has been making it work for 50 years, so they know a thing or two about what it takes to make this event run smoothly.
“The ‘I Love My City’ group took over traffic duties for the event in 2021 and they do a fantastic job of taking care of the vendors and getting their art transported to the island, all with a smile and kind words,” Lapp said.
For visitors, there are three large parking lots where people can park and ride a free shuttle bus to the island. The Immanuel Lutheran Church, United Methodist Church, and Neff parking provide free parking to visitors, where they can catch shuttle buses that run regularly to and from the island.
Lapp is proud of the fact that the Island Art Fair is known among art vendors as a favorite, because of how well they are treated by the volunteers. From helping vendors with parking and transportation to sending runners to bring them lunch, the volunteers make sure the vendors are comfortable.
Woodworker Ted Prinz has been a vendor at the Island Art Fair for over 10 years and has seen his share of art fairs in other locations.
“This art fair is the crown jewel. Among the best shows I’ve ever come across,” Prinz said.
All of this good will between the Director, volunteers, the artists, and visitors contributes to the positive atmosphere that people associate with this event.
Art Is a Force That Brings People Together
The work you will find at the Island Art Fair ranges from fine art, authors, paintings, handmade soaps, pine needle art, stained glass, jewelry, unique tote bags, clothing, ceramics, woodwork, and much much more. And no need to worry about packing food, you will not go hungry at this event. Plenty of food booths offer locally made food and cool beverages for your refreshment.
Prinz’s work includes skillfully crafted items such as wooden pens, pepper grinders, and turned wood bowls. He has noticed that people really enjoy coming out to look at all the different artwork and talk to the artists in-person, and his bowls have been of particular interest in recent years.
“Wood is tactile, and people love to touch the bowls to get a feeling of the smooth quality of the wood,” Prinz said. “When it comes to finding something unique, you can’t beat the Island Art Fair.”
Several musical performers add to the festive atmosphere, including Eugenia Arens, who has been playing the accordion for art fair visitors for over 45 years. It is something she looks forward to every year, and she does not let a little bad weather stop her.
“One year we put garbage bags on because it was raining so hard,” Arens said. “We cut out holes for our heads, covered our instruments, and went ahead and played our music. That was so much fun.”
Arens’ enthusiasm is inspiring. She says it’s the people who keep her coming back every year to play music.
“They are always interested in the music we are playing. It’s a really great atmosphere,” Arens said.
To Director Lapp, art is a special bond that draws people together.
“It is the older generation teaching the younger generation to create beauty and work with their hands,” Lapp said. “It is this personal connection between artists and visitors that makes this art fair a memorable experience.”
If you are looking for quality original artwork, a beautiful island setting, a day spent outside eating good food and listening to live music, or all of the above, you can find it at the Island Art Fair in Grand Ledge.
“We are here to give people gifts and memories, things they will treasure for the rest of their lives,” Lapp said. “It means so much to us, because each item is personal, made by our own hands .”
The 50th Island Art Fair is on July 29th, 2023 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. If you are interested in being a vendor, please inquire at ledgecraftlane@juno.com.
Each artist must be juried into the art fair every year. Vendor spaces after passing the jury are $85 each for a 10 x 10 space.
A Local, Historic Treasure Featuring Unique Art & Gifts
One cannot talk about the Island Art Fair without talking about Ledge Craft Lane. This not-for-profit art cooperative was formed in 1974 by Marilyn Smith, along with members of: the Blocks, the Lairds, the Floeters, the Trinkleins, the Smiths, the Huhns, the Kelseys, the Luethjohans, and the Dalebouts families, as a way to showcase the work of local artists and support the local arts scene. In 2021, Stephene Lapp became the president.
Currently, Ledge Craft Lane is still going strong, featuring juried original artwork by mid-Michigan artists in a variety of disciplines, including quality painting, photography, crafts, jewelry, pottery, woodworking, and more. This art is available for purchase, as the artists have their work there on consignment. In addition, local artists offer art classes year-round in a room on the ground floor of the building, which used to be the town’s city hall.
The building that houses Ledge Craft Lane is historic. Dating back to 1885, it was originally the Grand Ledge Fire Hall. As the building was also the police station for a period of time, it contains the city’s first and only jail cell, which has been historically preserved to look as it did back in the day, iron bars and all. Be sure to visit the brick and mortar storefront to take a picture in the “Ye Old Jail Cell.”
The volunteers who run Ledge Craft Lane are many of the same volunteers who are essential in running the Island Art Fair. In our modern world, it is not easy to keep a non-profit organization running, but with the support of the many volunteers, this local treasure continues to enrich the lives of those who visit it. If you are looking for a unique gift or want to be inspired by beautiful arts and crafts, this art cooperative is the perfect place to find that.
Ledge Craft Lane is located at 120 S. Bridge St. in Grand Ledge. For more information, you can reach a volunteer or the Director at 517-627-9843. Follow and like Ledge Craft Lane on Facebook by searching for “Ledge Craft Lane.” Also follow “Island Art Fair” to see vendor spotlights prior to each year’s show.
