Art of all types to be displayed in Urbana


How to go

What: Art Affair on the Square

Where: Monument Square and North Main Street, Urbana

When: Saturday

Admission: no cost; artwork available for purchase

More info: Call 937-653-6126 or go to www.monumentsquaredistrict.com

Art comes in all shapes and sizes, and whether it hangs on a wall, in a yard, in a frame or on a person it will all come in a square on Saturday.

The ninth annual Art Affair on the Square will feature just about any kind of art from more than 60 artists on Monument Square and North Main Street in Urbana 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday.

The event is sponsored by the Monument Square District Inc. and reflects Urbana’s long collaboration of commerce and the arts.

Whereas many events involving art are gallery-based, Art Affair on the Square is a juried, invitational show that brings the artists to the masses outdoors. The number of artists has almost doubled in the nine years since the event began, in from all over Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky.

“This is an event people look forward to,” said committee chairperson Sara Kerns. “We work to have a variety of artists and a wide variety of art forms.”

There will be acrylic, watercolor and pastel paintings, drawings, fine art photography, pottery, home decor and jewelry.

“Even with something like pottery you will find several different types, none like the others,” said Kerns.

Then there are the less common types of art that Kerns said are part of the discovery and fun, such as fiber art, that uses old neckties to create bags and scarves, or lathe-turned wood arts and wood splint baskets.

Kerns said Art Affair on the Square isn’t limited to visual arts. Literary arts will have its own area with several authors signing their works.

And there will be performing arts, with live music, singing and dancing throughout the event.

Tied in will be an architectural tour of Urbana where patrons can take a horse-drawn carriage to view many of the area’s historic 19th-century homes or take a walking narrated tour.

An added attraction this year will highlight artists with disabilities exhibited in the windows of local businesses along the festival area. Kerns said this work should be available for view to those who can’t make Art Affair on the Square for several days after.

A variety of food choices will also be available at both restaurants and in a café-style area. All ages can find something of interest according to Kerns.

“This will be a nice, easygoing festival for families and handicap-accessible. We are very consumer friendly.”

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