May Art Birmingham fair to change location

Due to the upcoming road reconstruction of W. Maple Road, Birmingham city commissioners approved a request from the Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center to move Art Birmingham from Shain Park to S. Old Woodward next Mother's Day weekend.

Annie Van Gelderen, president and CEO of the Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center (BBAC), and Karen Delhey, executive director of the Artisan Guild, came before the Birmingham City Commission on Monday, October 7, requesting approval to move the annual Art Birmingham art fair from its traditional home at Shain Park to S. Old Woodward from approximately Bowers Street to Landon on May 9 and 10. The move is due to planned reconstruction of W. Maple between Southfield and Woodward.

“I think this is a very good idea, but where do you think people will be parking?” asked commissioner Rackeline Hoff, noting that visitors to the art fair typically park at the city's parking garages, which are in close proximity to Shain Park.

“We'll have various valets at multiple locations that will use the parking structures,” Van Gelderen said.

“I think this is as good a solution as we're going to get,” said commissioner Carroll DeWeese.