“Try to remember that God is the Great Artist. Artists like other artists. Expect the universe to support your dream. It will.” – Julia Cameron
When I embarked on my artist date adventures, I tried to avoid “retail therapy” as an option. My goal was to seek out new experiences, create art, visit places I had never been, and get outdoors more.
But the art fair circuit is strong in Michigan. You can practically hit up an art fair every weekend during the summer.
So, last June, I caved and visited both the Lakeshore Art Festival in Muskegon and Grand Haven Art Festival. Coincidentally, they are both held on the same weekend.
Art fairs support real artists
Whether you are an avid art collector or window shopper, art fairs are a fun way to support local artists and enjoy lakeshore communities. This weekend kicks off a steady schedule of art fairs.
Check out some of the most popular ones coming up along the Lake Michigan coast:
Lakeshore Art Festival, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. June 29-30 in downtown Muskegon. The Lakeshore Art Festival features a unique blend of fine art, handcrafted goods, music, food, and fun. Experience nearly 250 juried fine art and specialty craft exhibitors, a Children’s Lane, artisan food market, street performers, and interactive art stations.
Grand Haven Art Festival, 12-5 p.m. June 28, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. June 29-30 in downtown. The Grand Haven Art Festival invites nearly 80 artists from across the country to transform Washington Avenue into a chic, outdoor art gallery, plus live music, food, and fun.
South Haven Art Fair, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. July 6 and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. July 7 in Stanley Johnston Park. The South Haven Art Fair is a two-day juried festival held one block from the Lake Michigan shore and features painting, pastel, drawing, sculpture, photography, jewelry, and more.
West Shore Art Fair, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. July 6-7, in Ludington. This juried fine arts and crafts show features close to 100 vendors displaying paintings, photography, jewelry, clay, glass, fiber, wood, and more. The fair features live musical performances, food stations, a children’s activity area, and a booth where children can purchase art for just $5.
Art fairs in August
Coast Guard Craft Fair, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Aug. 2 and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Aug. 3, Central Park in Grand Haven. The Coast Guard Craft Fair is held in conjunction with the Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival and features 170 crafters from around the state and nation.
Gold Coast Artisan Fair, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Aug. 10 and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Aug. 11, Rotary Park (formerly City Park) in Ludington. Over 170 vendors from across the state and beyond sell handmade items, jewelry, photographs, paintings, and more. There’s something for everyone, including good things to eat!
Arts & Drafts Festival, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Aug. 17, Ross Park in Norton Shores. Enjoy the 47th annual Art Fair, Arts & Dash 5K, Arts & Wheels Car Show, and 6 p.m. show by Grand City Show Skiers on Mona Lake. Relax with live music (11 am – 10 pm) and refreshments at the beverage tent.
The schedule continues with more art fairs “up north.” Seriously, you can pretty much spend every weekend in the summer visiting an art fair.
Artist date adventures
My artist date adventures have been varied and diverse, which you can read about in this first blog, The Artist’s Way: Feeding My Soul With Artist Dates. I try to switch it up and keep it fresh. The art fair artist date gave me a few reservations. I had a full-time job and more disposable income in 2023. But I didn’t really need anything. And I don’t have room to hang or store much more.
I kept to a budget of around $20 at Grand Haven’s art fair, picking up a dreamcatcher, two stones – one with a bicycle that reminded me of Mackinac Island and one with the word Benzie – and a magnet that says “A day at the beach restores the soul.”
I also bought a ceramic mug with the state of Michigan for $36 – cheaper than all the other booths – at the Lakeshore Art Festival. I definitely didn’t need another mug. But I liked the color and glaze, and it had a heart in the area of West Michigan.
Grand Haven Art Festival
I don’t really consider shopping a true artist date. But it did make me feel better knowing that my purchase was supporting local artists.
Buying the stone with the word “Benzie” prompted a conversation with the artist. He turned out to be the art teacher at Benzie Central High School who set up at the Grand Haven Art Festival.
Many of the artists and vendors travel around all summer to the various fairs. A lot of them actually live in warmer climates and hit up Michigan in the summer. That’s not how I would want to spend my summer weekends, so I give them credit for the hustle.
Channel walk and lunch
In Grand Haven, I started with a walk along the channel, found a book at the Little Free Library, and had lunch outdoors. Grand Haven has done a nice job of making the waterfront accessible with a public marina, fish cleaning station, and boardwalk that goes out to Lake Michigan.
Grand Haven is a popular summer tourist destination. Since it’s only 20 minutes from home, I try to go down there at least once or twice in the summer to enjoy the fresh air and views along the channel.
Again, the idea of the artist date is to do something with yourself. Explore more. Step out of your comfort zone. Find inspiration. And be kind to your inner child. Discover what brings you joy. I actually love them because you don’t have to worry about someone else’s schedule, ask them where they want to eat, or what they want to do. You get to do you.
Plus, it’s hard to be in a bad mood surrounded by blue skies, boats, and water.
Lakeshore Art Festival
A lot of the art fairs are held in conjunction with larger festivals. So, even if you don’t have the extra money to shop, you can enjoy other free activities.
The popular Lakeshore Art Festival in downtown Muskegon offers live music, family friendly events, and public art activities. The fine art vendors set up in Hackley Park, which is a beautiful setting. But you can walk down to the farmers market and throughout the downtown area. These booths have more craft-type items.
I love summer and yard trinkets, so you can also find some unique garden décor and yard art. Over the years, we have picked up painted metal flowers from the same artist at the Lakeshore Art Festival. We finally decided we had enough now that we have 10.
Estate sales and free books
Since I had some extra money, I also started thrifting and visiting estate sales. On the same weekend of the Lakeshore Art Festival, I went to an estate sale at a home in Norton Shores that overlooked Lake Michigan. It was a cool mid-century modern home that reminded me of the Brady Bunch house.
From what I could tell, the woman who lived there was an attorney. I picked up a variety of items – a fancy teacup, a stained glass angel, and a plate with two angels and a dog which I hung above the window by my desk. A lady working there gave me two magnets for free.
And I spotted the book, Hillbilly Elegy, which I had wanted to read since 2017. I read an essay by the author J.D. Vance while working at MCC’s Writing Center. His essay was in the book, They Say, I Say with Readings, which encourages critical thinking on a variety of controversial issues. The book includes 40 readings designed to prompt students to read, reflect, think – and write.
I moved Hillbilly Elegy to the top of my book pile. I’m not a fast reader, so it took a few weeks to finish. I was shocked how much Vance’s story parallels my own life.
Moments of synchronicity
Julia Cameron, author of The Artist’s Way, also talks about synchronicity a lot in the book. The definition of synchronicity is “the simultaneous occurrence of events which appear significantly related but have no discernible causal connection.”
She encourages readers to be on the lookout for coincidences, for serendipity, for signs from the Universe. She believes the Universe is on our side, and things do align. If you pay attention, you do start to notice these “ah ha” moments more.
That book you wanted to read – it will appear. That person you need to meet – they will show up. That life change you need to make – the Universe will help make it happen. Keep going on artist date adventures!
As Cameron explains:
“Once you accept that it is natural to create, you can begin to accept a second idea: that the Creator will hand you whatever you need for the project. The minute you are willing to accept the help of this collaborator, you will see useful bits of help everywhere in your life. Be alert: there is a second voice, a higher harmonic, adding to and augmenting your inner creative voice. This voice frequently shows itself in synchronicity.”
Spiritual journey continues
My artist date adventures have been fun. But the dates with myself became a spiritual journey, uncovering layers of buried trauma, suppressed feelings, and deep sadness. In some ways, they forced me to reflect on my life. In other ways, they soothed my weary soul.
For me, a day at the beach does restore the soul. The beach is why I moved to Michigan. A lot of times I simply sit and soak up the sun and the sound of the waves.
I was actually on my way to the beach when I stumbled upon the estate sale. I consider time at the beach an artist date. It’s time with myself where I try to simply relax, forget my problems, and enjoy blue skies and sunshine.
I reconnect with the Creator and try to remember that God’s got me. That a day spent at the beach is always worth it. That life is more than work, stress, and bills – go make time for what makes you feel calm, happy, and free.
As Cameron reminds us, “Learn to accept the possibility that the universe is helping you with what you are doing. Become willing to see the hand of God and accept it as a friend’s offer to help.”
Marla R. Miller is an award-winning journalist, travel writer, and content marketing writer who lives in West Michigan. Please “like” or follow me on Facebook, X, Instagram, or LinkedIn. Let me help grow your business. Check out my Writing Services or Read My Work.
