This weekend (May 3-5, 2013) is the Brookside Art Annual–one of the best events our local business association hosts each year.  Always held the first weekend of May, the weather can be an issue but it doesn’t seen to stop art lovers from checking out what’s under the white tents at 63rd and Brookside Blvd. This year marks the 28th year for the event.

Hours are Friday 5pm-9pm; Saturday 10am-9pm and Sunday 11am-5pm.  There are childrens’ activities on Saturday and Sunday, plus music in the evening.  Please, do not bring pets into the tents!  Also, if you spend over $250, you will get a free $10 gift card to use in Brookside–just bring your receipts to the information booth.

Brookside Art Annual 2013

A bit of history on the Art Annual:  after seeing the success of the Plaza Art Fair (started in 1931) and the Westport Art Fair (started in 1979), Brookside wanted to host a similar event.  According to The Brookside Story by LaDene Morton, merchants were against the idea.  A compromise was reached, and the work of 30 local artists was displayed in retailer’s windows.  Eventually, the Brookside Art Annual became a larger event in 1986, attracting national artists from all over the U.S. and is now recognized as one of the better art fairs in the country–partially due to the charming, friendly neighborhood atmosphere of the Brookside businesses  and beautiful homes surrounding the area.  

Every year the Art Annual has a unique logo/poster created to promote the event.  This year’s graphic is unusual:  it’s black and white, and features cars, buildings, an airplane and a giraffe..?  Since Brookside is such a walkable neighborhood, and the Zoo isn’t close by, it seemed like an odd choice.  I don’t think the graphic associates itself with the event at all, except perhaps the small striped awnings over the buildings.  So many folks collect and frame the annual poster–to me, this year’s artwork is a  disappointment.

So break out the warmer clothes, hopefully for the last time, and visit the Brookside Art Annual this weekend!