MINNEAPOLIS, August 2, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Minnesota's number-one art fair is marking its 55th year with an impressive lineup of artists, a new pARTy PLAZA, youth artists, a culinary arts competition, a new cocktail competition, new charitable partners and more.
During the Uptown Art Fair, visitors can browse art by 340 artists chosen by a jury, including sculpture, drawing, glass, painting, jewelry, wood, ceramics, photography, mixed media and more. The Uptown Art Fair runs Friday, Aug. 3, from 12-8 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 4, from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 5, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Hennepin Avenue South and The Mall in Uptown, Minneapolis.
This year's featured artist is Minnesota illustrator Brian Jensen. His piece, "Uptown," will serve as this year's commemorative print and will be sold in two sizes exclusively at the Uptown Art Fair merchandise tent during the art fair for $15 and $25.
Uptown Art Fair also offers a variety of special events and activities:
NEW: pARTy PLAZA
The pARTy PLAZA, in the parking lot of Lotus Uptown, will feature live music, DJs, a new cocktail competition and an interactive community mural. Go Radio will broadcast live, and the Firefly Fun Zone will feature outdoor games, chalk artists and charging stations. Indeed Brewing Co. will also offer some great beer choices.
NEW: Norseman Summer Cocktail Competition
The Norseman Summer Cocktail Competition will bring bartenders together for a mixology contest at the pARTy PLAZA. Each round will feature two bartenders preparing a signature cocktail based on a theme, a featured Norseman Distillery spirit and sponsored ingredients. Rounds will take place Friday and Saturday from 4:30-6 p.m. and Sunday from 3-4:30 p.m.
Denison Parking Charitable Partner Tent
The Uptown Association has selected local nonprofits to be featured at the Uptown Art Fair – Vail Place, Print the Love, Stages Theatre Company and Minnesota Brain Injury Alliance. Each of these organizations will be onsite during the fair, offering family-friendly activities.
New Horizon Academy Youth Art Fair
Celebrating its 14th year, the New Horizon Academy Youth Art Fair features more artists than ever. Located inside Calhoun Square, the event features 78 artists between the ages of 8 and 18. Works include everything from sculptures and paintings to photography and jewelry, with the artists taking home all their profits. The Youth Art Fair will take place Saturday, Aug. 4, from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 5, from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Culinary Arts Competition Presented by Kitchen Window
Now in its seventh year, the Twin Cities' hottest chefs and most creative artists battle for supremacy in the Culinary Arts Competition presented by Kitchen Window. Teams consisting of one chef and one artist will each receive the same three ingredients, along with a unique secret ingredient, which they must use to create both a dish and a piece of visual art within 30 minutes. Local food and art celebrities will judge the final creations. Judges will crown the winning team on Sunday.
Northern Clay Center Family Imagination Station
Fairgoers can create free clay art projects at the Family Imagination Station, presented by Northern Clay Center, located on The Mall. Projects will be fired at Northern Clay Center and will be available for pick-up at the center after Aug. 28.
Metro Transit ArtPass
Metro Transit is again offering free rides through its ArtPass. Attendees can ride free on Saturday and Sunday between the Uptown and Powderhorn art fairs by simply printing out the ArtPass at www.metrotransit.org/artpass. Fairgoers can take the bus or METRO lines from their homes or nearby Park & Rides (does not include Northstar).
Star Tribune Bike Valet
The Star Tribune Bike Valet offers free valet bike parking to reduce automobile traffic and provide a stress-free parking experience at the fair. Bike valet is open daily, 15 minutes before the fair opens until 15 minutes after it closes, at Humboldt Avenue South and The Mall near the Midtown Greenway trail.
About the Uptown Art Fair
Produced by the Uptown Association, the 55th Uptown Art Fair will take place August 3-5 and will feature nearly 350 professional artists, more than 75 youth artists, a pARTy PLAZA, culinary arts competition and a variety of food vendors. Ranked the number-one art fair in Minnesota by the Harris Guide, the three-day event has grown into a nationally recognized fine arts festival attracting more than 375,000 people throughout the weekend. Find more information at www.uptownartfair.com, on Facebook at Uptown Art Fair "Official" or Twitter at @UptownArtFair.
SOURCE Uptown Association
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