Summer art festivals for fun outings

Recently seen at The Art Center of Highland Park's Festival of Fine Arts. David Gordon' delicate work will also be on view at the Chicago Botanic Garden's art fair. (J Jacobs photo)
Recently seen at The Art Center of Highland Park’s Festival of Fine Arts. David Gordon’ delicate work will also be on view at the Chicago Botanic Garden’s art fair. (J Jacobs photo)

If you “Fitbit” is telling you to “remember to move” outsmart it by doing something that is also fun and gets you to a place you might not have visited in a while – go to an art fair.

From the end of June to the end of July you can browse paintings, sculptures, jewelry, pottery and fabric works from downtown Chicago and fun Wrigleyville to the beautiful Chicago Botanic Garden and historic Geneva.

Art fairs coming up

 June 28-30 Millennium Art Festival

A couple of blocks north of Millennium Park (yes visit the “Bean” for a photo op) walk Michigan Avenue to Lake Street to see about works by about 110 artists. Hours: Fri. 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sun. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

July 5- 7 Chicago Botanic Garden Art Festival

The Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe just east of Edens Expressway is worth a visit even without the art fair. But try to get there when about 95 artists whose work fits well with botanic themes are exhibiting on the Garden’s Esplanade. Hours: Fri. 4-7 p.m., Sat. and Sun. 10 a.m-5 p.m. The garden and show are free but parking has a fee.

July 6 Wrigleyville Art Market

About 50 artists will be at Wrigley Field’s Gallagher Way  on Clark Street near Waveland Avenue the Saturday after July 4 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

July 13-14 Southport Art Fest

Held in Chicago’s Lakeview Neighborhood, the art festival has about 130 artists setting up tents on Southport Avenue from Waveland to Byron. Hosted by the Southport Neighbor’s Association, the festival benefits local causes. Hours: Both days are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

July 19-20 Artfest Michigan Avenue

Set up near the Tribune Tower, the art festival is a chance to visit the large Apple store then go down to the Riverwalk along the chicago River to hear music. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both Friday and Saturday

July 27=28 Geneva Fine Arts Fair

Sponsored  by the Geneva Chamber of Commerce, the art fair is a good opportunity to visit this town west of Chicago on the Fox River.  More than 150 exhibitors will spread out from 100 S. Third St. on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information visit Geneva Chamber/art fairs.

July 27- 28 Glencoe Festival of Art

About 110 artists set up booths downtown north suburban Glencoe for the Annual Glencoe Festival of Art. The fair is at Green Bay Road and Park Avenue but walk around the corner to Tudor Court to see Writers Theatre’s architecture.  Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.