Glen Arbor Art Fair returns July 17
From staff reports
The Glen Lake Woman’s Club holds their 52nd annual Art Fair on Wednesday, July 17, from 10 am-4 pm. The Art Fair features artists carefully selected to represent a wide variety of one-of-a-kind art pieces for sale at the Glen Arbor Township Hall. The Art Fair highlights artists in many mediums including pottery, painting, textiles, woodworking, and jewelry. Each year, thousands of people shop for that unique piece of art, either for themselves or for a special gift.
All proceeds from the Art Fair support scholarships for Glen Lake Community School students. Since 1980, The Glen Lake Woman’s Club has awarded $325,000 to 245 students attending Northwest Michigan College with first, second, and third-year scholarships. The Northwest Michigan College scholarships are announced at the Glen Lake High School Honors Night in May. Scholarships are also awarded for Blue Lake Music Camp, and other critical student-needs through the school’s student assistance fund and the LIFT Middle School afterschool program.
“Having worked as a Glen Lake High School counselor for 17 years, I know the value of our club scholarships,” said Ginna Woessner, Glen Lake Woman’s Club scholarship co-chair. “However, it was a letter we received from one of my former students that gave me a much greater insight. The young lady wrote that she had been one of our scholarship recipients.
“She started at NMC with great promise but left before obtaining her associate degree. She wrote that after she recognized that one of her children was not seeing the value of education, she realized she needed to go back to college to set an example. She wanted to let us know that not only had our scholarship helped pay her tuition, but more importantly, it represented a group of women who believed in her! As a member of the Glen Lake Woman’s Club, I treasure being able to support students financially and emotionally.”
The Art Fair is a popular event in the community, often making this the busiest day of the year in Glen Arbor. Many shoppers return to visit the booths of their favorite artists or to explore the artwork of new vendors. Dozens of Glen Lake Woman’s Club members, supported by family friends and members of the Empire Lions Club volunteer to make sure the day runs smoothly for both vendors and community members.
“The Glen Lake Woman’s Club members want to thank all our sponsors who support the Art Fair with in-kind donations, the community for attending, and the vendors who display and sell high quality artistic treasures,” said Kathy Cole, President of the Glen Lake Woman’s Club and Art Fair kitchen co-chair. “This year, volunteer transportation from BATA for our vendor off-site parking should free up street parking and make attending the fair even easier for our loyal patrons.” Cole also noted that vendor booth rentals, bake sales, lunch, Club jewelry booth, and raffle items all provide funds for the student scholarship funds.
“BATA is pleased to partner with the Glen Lake Woman’s Club Art Fair to provide vendor transportation to and from the event location. Helping support Leelanau County groups, organizations and events with transportation is a just one way BATA can provide added value to the communities we serve,” stated Eric Lingaur, communications and development director for the Bay Area Transportation Authority.
The Glen Lake Woman’s Club, a 501(c)(3) organization, was established in 1937 with the goal of fostering social, civic, and educational projects. The charter members adopted as their slogan, “If you wish to live in a better place, better the place in which you live.” For more information about the Glen Lake Woman’s Club, the Art Fair, or our scholarship program, visit the Glen Lake Woman’s Club Art Fair Facebook page or website at GlenLakeWomansClub.org.
