arts & life

f ai rs

Four Fantastic Fairs

Allen Levy’s Destiny II, acrylic with gloss varnish on canvas

Suzanne Chessler | Contributing Writer

Ann Arbor Art Fair

unites four fairs

into one favorite

summertime event.

details

The four fairs making up the
Ann Arbor Summer Art Fair run
Thursday-Sunday, July 21-24,
along city streets.
Theannarborartfair.com.

30 July 7 • 2016

A

llen Levy spent summer
vacations in Michigan,
but July visits now are
taken up with the sale of his paint-
ings — many recalling lakefront
views experienced in years before
and after his bar mitzvah.
Levy, in his fifth year with the
South University Art Fair, will
showcase his images in one of four
art fairs that come together as the
Ann Arbor Art Fair. Comprised
of the original Ann
Arbor Street Fair, the
Ann Arbor Summer
Art Fair, the State
Street Art Fair and the
South University Art
Fair, the Ann Arbor
Belts by
Art Fair is one of the
Patrick
largest outdoor art
Meyer
fairs in the country,
running across more
than 30 city blocks.
In the past, the fair
schedule has been Wednesday-
Saturday; this year, the fair is
changing days and runs Thursday-
Sunday, July 21-24.
“My paintings are interpretations

a hobby for Levy, who taught him-
self after shopping for materials. He
applies acrylic and metallic colors
using a palette knife on canvas.
Artistry has been his full-time
profession for six years, and
he travels to 12 fairs each year
while being represented by gal-
leries in New York, Pennsylvania
and Colorado. His base became
Virginia after corporate marketing
moved him away from Indiana.
“I also work with designers on
commission,” Levy says. “My paint-
ings can be seen in businesses,
government buildings and hotels.
My work is all about colors that are
pleasing, harmonious and tranquil,
and the paintings are all originals.
When I don’t feel creative, I focus
on the framing.”

After the Rain by Allen Levy

of the horizon as well as memories
of places I’ve been,” says the artist,
49, who transitioned away from a
marketing career. “They’re about

nature, landscapes and color — a
blend of abstract and realistic ele-
ments.”
Painting started eight years ago as

SYMBOLIC JUDAICA
Patrick Meyer, also showing work
in the South University Art Fair,
spent his early years in France,
where he received intensive artis-
tic training, but he moved to the
United States for commercial
opportunities. His multi-media