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Best Chicago Art Fairs To Attend In June

Are you thinking about spending a glorious summer day browsing through original artwork in the unique atmosphere of an art festival? The following special events in Chicago would be wonderful options to explore.
57th Street Fair
(credit: 57thstreetfair.org)

57th Street Art Fair 
1507 E 53rd St
Chicago, IL 60615
(773) 234-3247
www.57thstreetartfair.org

Dates: June 2-3
Price:  Free
Hours: Sat - 11 a.m. 6 p.m., Sun - 10 a.m. 5 p.m.

A much-cherished festival and the oldest of its kind in the Midwest, the 57th Street Art Fair was conceived as a small gallery studio in 1948 by art enthusiast Mary Louise Womer. Since its inception, the fair has grown and expanded into the historic Hyde Park neighborhood as artist participation continued to increase by popular demand. Located near William H. Ray Elementary school between Kenwood and Kimbark Avenues, the family-friendly event exhibits original works by over 250 artists and provides a plenitude of tasty food with activities for the kids, attracting upwards of 20,000 visitors each year.

East Side Millenium Arts Festival
(credit: amdurproductions.com)

Eastside Millennium Art Festival
Michigan Ave and Lake St
Chicago, IL 60601
(847) 926-4300
www.amdurproductions.com

Dates: June 1-3
Price: Free
Hours: Fri and Sat - 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sun - 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Hosted by the award-winning Amdur Productions company, the Eastside Millennium Art Festival will be enjoying its fourth year of great success on Michigan Avenue. Located just blocks from the Art Institute and Cultural Center, the eclectic fair is in the vicinity of Millennium Park and "The Bean," a high-profile tourist locale visited by approximately 175,000 people each day. With more than 150 exhibitors displaying quality original artwork in all mediums, the festival showcases the arts with exemplary style, providing delicious gourmet cuisine, interactive demonstrations, live acoustics and jazz improvisation.

Related: Guide to Chicago Museums and Social Media

Old Town Art Fair
(credit: oldtowntriangle.com)

2012 Old Town Art Fair
1763 N North Park Ave
Chicago, IL 60614
(312) 337-1938
www.oldtowntriangle.com

Dates: June 9-10
Price: $7 (Free for children under 12 years)
Hours: Sat and Sun - 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Celebrating its 63rd anniversary in Chicago's historic Old Town neighborhood, the highly-anticipated art fair will feature artwork from 260 nationally recognized artists and expects to welcome 50,000 to 60,000 visitors this year. Located along Lincoln Avenue and Wisconsin Streets in the Lincoln Park West vicinity, the event was named in the top 10 category by American Style Magazine last year. The OTAF will showcase many creative works in 2D and 3D media, from painting and photography to sculpture and ceramic. Festivities include a garden walk of the antiquated Old Town triangle, children's arts and crafts, musical talent and wonderful food.

Custer Fair
(credit: custerfair.com)

Custer's Last Stand
P.O. Box 6013
Evanston, IL 60204
(847) 328-2204
www.custerfair.com
Dates: June 16-17
Price: Free
Hours: Sat and Sun - 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Now in its 41st year of delightful and amazing entertainment, Custer's Last Stand Art Festival is located on historic Custer Avenue and was established in honor of General Custer's service during the Civil War. A famous recipient of numerous accolades, the fair is considered a long-time favorite on the North Shore with over 250 artists exhibiting their creative artwork, and 150 vendors displaying a large variety of antiques, crafts and collectibles. With more than 70,000 visitors in attendance each year, the fest traditionally hosts legendary musical acts and features an excellent menu of international fare, as well as many fun-filled children's events. The exciting Custer's Last Stand art fair is produced by the Evanston Festival Theatre and is funded in part by the Illinois Arts Council.

Painting
(credit: Thinkstock)

Fountain Square Art Festival
Church St and Sherman Ave
Evanston, IL 60201
(773) 584-6674
www.chicagoevents.com

Dates: June 23-24
Price: Free
Hours: Sat and Sun - 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Centrally located in beautiful downtown Evanston, the prestigious Fountain Square Art Festival features original art by 225 juried artists and welcomes 50,000 sophisticated collectors each year. Celebrating more than three decades in the ambience of an elegant, three-pool fountain commemorating our country's bicentennial year, the art fair is well received on Chicago's North Shore. Festival highlights showcase streaming live jazz and an abundance of children's events sponsored by the Evanston Art Center.

Related: Best Art Galleries In Chicago

Magdalene Paniotte is from Chicago and very pleased to be a CBS Contributor. She has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theatre and has written a few screenplays as well as a selection of short stories and poems.  Maggie recently edited a University student writing journal as part of her internship toward an online Master of Fine Arts Degree in Creative Writing.  She is currently working on her first fictional novel. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.

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