Art Birmingham at Shain Park for the weekend

If it's Mother's Day weekend, it's once again time to enjoy the tradition of art in and around Birmingham's Shain Park at Art Birmingham, the fine art fair presented annually by the Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center (BBAC), which this year will celebrate its 37th anniversary.

Art Birmingham will take place Saturday, May 12, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday, May 13, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., rain or shine.

Art Birmingham has been a Mother's Day tradition in downtown Birmingham for the past 37 years, offering families the opportunity to spend time with their mom and grandmothers, enjoy fine art from 150 artists, all in the beauty of Birmingham's Shain Park. In addition to enjoying and purchasing fine art, children will have the chance to create a memorable gift of garden art to give their own moms.

Produced by the BBAC in association with The Guild of Artists and Artisans, Art Birmingham benefits the BBAC, which for 61 years has provided opportunities to connect people of all ages and abilities with visual arts education, exhibitions, and other creative experiences.

Art Birmingham, which is free to the public, has become a key element in the BBAC's vision to provide “art for all.” The juried art show, which begins the 2018 outdoor art fair season, will feature 150 artists in booths in and around the park, which is located in the center of downtown Birmingham.

Artists come from all over the country, with featured work including painting, ceramics, photography, jewelry, glass, wood, sculpture, mixed media, fiber, metal and more.

“Our mission is to find opportunities to connect people to art,” said Annie VanGelderen, president of the BBAC. “Art Birmingham gives everyone the opportunity to meet the artist and learn first hand their story in creating a specific piece of art. The beauty is once you buy their painting, sculpture or jewelry, their story about how and why they created the piece and their technique in creating it now becomes your story. It is that direct connection that makes this art fair so unique.”