ANN ARBOR, MI.- The Ann Arbor Street Art Fair is the Original of the four art fairs that comprises the award-winning Ann Arbor Art Fairs. Collectively, the fairs draw more than half a million visitors each year. The 47th annual Ann Arbor Street Art Fair takes place on North University Avenue, and the University of Michigan’s grassy Ingalls Mall and Diag. Adjacent to the University’s Central Campus, the Street Art Fair neighbors noteworthy university landmarks, such as the Burton Carillon Tower, Hill Auditorium, Michigan League and Rackham School of Graduate Studies. This year’s fair opened on Wednesday, July 19th and continues through Saturday, July 22nd , 2006. The hours of the Fair are 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM Wednesday through Friday and 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM on Saturday.

Art Fair PLUS - Art, artists, activities, PLUS an appreciative audience creates a grand Street Art Fair experience. Here’s proof that perusing and purchasing are just scratching the surface of all the fun things that happen at the Fair! The 2006 Original Fair offers a variety of engaging activities for everyone, from playful kids to art enthusiasts. Things to do:

• Immerse yourself in art! Wander the streets and grassy pathways to explore the artwork of 175 talented hand-picked artists from across the country and around the world. Talk to the artists and take time to learn how their art is made and the inspiration behind their work. Use the artist statement, hung in every artist booth, as a conversation starter!

• Take a tour. If you are interested in learning more about the artists and their work, make sure you join a special guided tour. In this program’s second year, there will be a daily Street Fair Ark Walk, led by trained volunteers on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Check the schedule posted on signboards throughout the fair and on www.artfair.org for starting times and locations.

• Watch an artist at work. Seventeen juried artists, plus the Potters Guild, demonstrate a particular technique used in making their work. Artist demonstrations at individual booths are scattered throughout the fair on all four days, giving fairgoers a chance to learn about the process that leads to the finished pieces. For schedule information, check the INFO booths or signboards around the Fair. (With support from Toyota Technical Center, U.S.A., Inc.)

• Make your own masterpiece at ArtZone. Chelsea Doors Project coordinated by the Chelsea Center for the Arts. Imagination Station, annual favorite paper bag hats, and new projects daily. Literacy Project will have reading games and prizes for kids. Check the hourly schedule at www.artfair.org and on boards throughout the fair site. The ArtZone is made possible with support from the City of Ann Arbor.

• Meet a future famous artist. Check out the three emerging artists joining us from the College for Creative Studies. They gain real world experience by displaying their work in a shared booth near the Chemistry Building in the Diag.

• Performance at the Tower Now in his 27th year with the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, Mr. B. tickles the ivories in the middle of the tents on North University Avenue, entertaining the walking crowds. New this year on the Ingalls Mall stage are a variety of fun and funky acts. Check out Washtenaw Community College music and dance shows, Eastern Michigan University’s ballroom dancing, and the Ann Arbor School of Performing Arts jazz ensemble comprised of middle school and high school students. Also don’t miss storytelling in the morning, dance groups like Swing City, folk dancing, belly dancing, a barbershop quartet, and strolling Living Statue George Tait.

• Food at the Fountain While you’re enjoying a performance, grab a bite to eat. Food at the Fountain, presented by University Unions surrounds the Carl Milles “Sunday Morning in Deep Waters” fountain. There will also be bottled water for sale at stands staffed by Boy Scouts around the Fair.

• I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream! The Alumni Association of the University of Michigan will host its 3rd annual Ann Arbor Summer Art Fairs Ice Cream Social from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Friday, July 21st on the lawn in front of the Alumni Center (200 Fletcher Street). Special appearance by UM alum and now Chicago area performer Jeff Libman. This event is free and open to members of the Alumni Association and their families. Make plans now to come by and enjoy some delicious Stucci’s ice cream with all of the fixins’ in the company of fellow Wolverines. For complete information on all alumni Art Fair activities please visit us online at www.umalumni.com.

• Souvenirs: The work of this year’s featured artist Lynn Whipple from Winter Park, Florida, graces the Fair’s official souvenir t-shirts, tote-bags, ball caps, and posters. Take home a souvenir of art you can use every day!

• Get involved. There are numerous opportunities to help out at this year’s Fair. We welcome dedicated volunteers to do everything from office work, to physical set-up. To sign up or get more info, visit www.artfair.org.

• Need more information? Plan your trip at www.artfair.org before the Fair. At the website, you can create your own custom guide to the fair by printing out maps, schedules, and artist lists. If you have any questions at the fair, stop by one of the INFO booths and ask one of the volunteers to help you. Don’t forget to pick up a copy of the official Detroit Free Press Guide to all the fairs, and Street Art, the illustrated guide to the Original Fair.