51st Annual Uptown Art Fair Comes to Minneapolis This Weekend

MINNEAPOLIS, July 29, 2014 /PRNewswire/ The 2014 Uptown Art Fair is celebrating its 51 st year with an exciting lineup of nationally recognized artists, special performances, youth artists, a culinary arts competition and much more, including live transformations of cars into works of art. Minnesota's No. 1 art fair, attended by more than 375,000 people each year, will take place this weekend, Aug. 1-3.

The Uptown Association, producers of the Uptown Art Fair, will kick off the art fair's 51 st year with the "Uptown Countdown" celebration. Now through Aug. 3, visitors to more than 50 participating Uptown businesses can register to win one of two $50 gift cards given away at each business. A full list of participating business can be found at www.uptownartfair.com.

This year's commemorative artist is Heather Renaux. Her commemorative piece, titled "Uptown Family Tree," will be sold exclusively at the official Uptown information booth and official Uptown Art Fair merchandise tents during the run of the Uptown Art Fair for $15 and $25.

During the art fair, visitors can browse original art by more than 350 artists chosen by a five-member jury, including sculpture, drawing, glass, painting, jewelry, wood, ceramics, photography, mixed media and more. The Uptown Art Fair runs Friday, Aug.1, from 12-8 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 2, from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 3, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on West Lake Street and Hennepin Avenue South, and The Mall, in Uptown, Minneapolis.

Along with the artist booths, the Uptown Art Fair offers a variety of special events and activities. Some of this year's highlights include:

Tomorrow's Stars Youth Art Fair, sponsored by XFINITY 10 th Year!

Celebrating its 10 th year, Tomorrow's Stars Youth Art Fair will give young talent a chance to shine at the Uptown Art Fair. Hosted by Calhoun Square, the event brings together 50 promising young artists between the ages of 8 and 18, and provides them with an opportunity to display, discuss and sell their artwork. The artists take home 100 percent of their profits.

Performance Stage, Beer and Wine Garden

Guests can kick back and soak in a wide variety of acts on the Performance Stage Presented by the Twin Cities Subaru Dealers, while enjoying a cold, refreshing beverage at the Summit Beer Garden or at the Barefoot Wine & Bubbly Wine Garden, just a few feet away.

Kitchen Window Culinary Arts Competition

Now in its third year, The Twin Cities' hottest chefs and most creative artists battle for culinary supremacy in the Culinary Arts Competition sponsored by Kitchen Window and presented by The Wedge Community Co-Op. Teams consisting of one chef and one artist will each receive the same three mandatory ingredients, along with a unique secret ingredient. Judges will crown the winning team on Sunday afternoon.

About the Uptown Art Fair

Produced by the Uptown Association, the 51 st Uptown Art Fair will take place August 1-3 and will feature more than 350 professional artists, 50 youth artists, 20 stage performances, a culinary arts competition and a variety of food vendors. Ranked the No. 1 art fair in Minnesota by the Harris Guide, the three-day event has grown into a nationally recognized fine arts festival attracting more than 375,000 people throughout the weekend. Find more information at www.uptownartfair.com or on Facebook at Uptown Art Fair "Official" or Twitter at @UptownArtFair.

SOURCE Uptown Art Fair