The Suburban Collection Showplace has been very proud to present the Great Lakes Art Fair over the past decade (even in the past two times a year). The event has always been a warm, fun celebration of the beautiful Artist community … and an important local showcase and networking event as well.
It is a tribute to all of our partners and friends that have worked so tirelessly each year to stage the event, that it has reached its milestone, but we feel that now is the appropriate time to discontinue the Great Lakes Art Fair. We tried to bring on the Craft component hoping to draw in more artists but still had a lack of participation.
Management of the Great Lakes Art Fair was absorbed by Suburban Collection Showplace operations in 2009, during the recession, and participation did rebound to some degree. In recent years the attendance has again eroded, and it has become more challenging to keep the event economically viable and to attract fresh artists, audience, vendors and sponsors each year. We deeply enjoy working with the Michigan artisan community, and would love for you to consider joining us at the Michigan State Fair as we have a large array of vendors and crafters. The Michigan State Fair, held over Labor Day Weekend at the Suburban Collection Showplace.
For those who also share an interest in overall animals, we also invite you to join us for the Novi Pet Expo and follow us on Facebook for news, as well.
Thanks so much for all the wonderful memories and we wish you Happy Trails, wherever they may lead….
For those of you who have already signed up and paid for a booth or sponsorship please allow us a week or two to process these refunds in full.
We are open to any suggestions and or comments regarding this decision and we truly appreciate all of the friendships and relationships we have made through the years.
Thank you
Jackie McMahon
Show Director
Blair Bowman
Owner
Comments
Yep, I know you did participate and wrote some good reviews for this site. Thanks, Barbara. I know you work hard and are adventurous, looking for good placement for your goods. I read all your emails.
I am so sad to report this. I worked with the Great Lakes Art Fair since its inception, during the "Great Recession", working to give artists a good event near home that was affordable, easy to do and friendly. In the first years it was a beautiful event with some of the Midwest's best artists participating.
There was excellent marketing in a very affluent community, with the owner of the venue even driving through neighborhoods and putting flyers in mailboxes! There were plenty of stories in the newspapers, billboards on the freeway nearby and media partners.
As far as I could tell they did everything right, yet the event never really flourished. My thanks to all of my friends who supported the event over the years.