Art Affair

Art Affair, the annual celebration of creativity and community, returns to 4th Street on June 21 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The free, family-friendly event will feature local artist vendors, a newly expanded Kid Zone, and live music by Luke Dawson from 12–2 p.m.

 Art Affair is the sole fundraiser for Art SUX For Kids, a nonprofit dedicated to hosting free monthly art events in Art SUX Gallery for children of all ages. All proceeds from the event go directly toward purchasing art supplies and expanding creative programming.

“Art Affair allows us to continue the Art SUX For Kids’ mission of bringing monthly kids events,” said an event organizer, Amy Thompson. “With the funds raised, we are assured supplies, including different and unique activities that we’ve wanted to do, but we just needed different and larger amounts of art supplies and funding.”

Since 2018, the organization has hosted over 84 kids’ events. Including pumpkin painting (over 300 pumpkins last year alone!), painting abstraction like Pollock, cookie painting in collaboration with Crumb. And Farmer’s Market, open-art Creation Station and so many more art centered events. 

The mission is simple but powerful: inspire creativity and help kids express their true selves through art.

“Art is inspiring, fun, creative and can open kids’ minds to their own unique selves,” Thompson says. “Artists donate their time to run events. We’re just trying to bring art to the kids — free art activities, to educate in a fun, creative way.”

The event will be held on 4th Street between Nebraska and Pierce. Local favorites like Crumb. Bakeries and Brekky’s will be open, serving sweets, food, and drinks to fuel the festivities.

With expanded activities, community energy, and a commitment to creativity, this year’s Art Affair promises to be the biggest yet.