Aaron Douglas Art Fair set for September 27

Staci Ogle, Art Director for the Aaron Douglas Art Fair, introduced Jaime Colon as this year’s featured artist. The fair will take place on Saturday, September 27 at the Aaron Douglas Art Park at 12th & Lane.

The 9th Annual Aaron Douglas Art Fair will be on Saturday, September 27, 2014 at the Aaron Douglas Art Park located at the southwest corner of 12th and Lane Streets.

The 2014 Aaron Douglas Art Fair will feature space for more than 40 local emerging artists, musicians and performance artists. In addition to showcasing their work to nearly 2,000 anticipated visitors, participating artists will be eligible for prizes in our Professional, Amateur, Student or People’s Choice award categories.

The Aaron Douglas Art Fair, inspired by the completion of the Aaron Douglas Celebration Mural, has been an annual event since 2006. The intent was to create a one-day classic art fair in order to showcase diverse and emerging artists, to celebrate community and to continue the legacy of world-renowned Topeka-born artist Aaron Douglas.

This year Aaron Douglas Art Fair has chosen artist Jaime Colón to exemplify everything the event represents by naming him the featured artist.

The Aaron Douglas Art Fair Executive Committee spends many hours considering who will be the featured artist of the year. The committee strives to pick an artist who best embodies the creativity and talent that Topeka has to offer, and one who inspires the artist in everyone.

“I would like to see other artists who have never shown art before to bring their art here, whatever it may be, to the Park,” said Colón. “It is a fairly inexpensive cost to be in the show.”

Colón also stressed that the show is very family friendly.

“A lot of people bring their children because there are a lot of activities here for children,” said Colón.

There will be a “Kids Zone” with several art activities and interactive art for all. Thirty to 50 artist booths are anticipated to be there. There will be a main-stage with music and a second stage for acoustic music and other performing arts. There will also be hosted food booths.

“The Aaron Douglas Art Fair is a great opportunity for artists to get their foot in the door of Topeka’s art scene,” said Ogle. “We’re working really hard this year to try to give artists in Topeka many opportunities to showcase their work outside of the fair.”

More information can be found at www.aarondouglasartfair.com.