CHICAGO, IL–(Marketwire – July 22, 2010) –  The Gold Coast Art Fair, the third oldest and one of the most well attended art festivals in Chicago, will take place this year on a new date at Grant Park’s Butler Field, at the corner of Monroe and Lake Shore Drive. Nationally revered as the “Granddaddy of American Art Festivals,” the Gold Coast Art Fair is rated as one of the top twenty festivals in the country. The Fair will take place at Grant Park on Friday, August 20 from 12:00 pm to 7:00 pm, Saturday, August 21 from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm and Sunday, August 22 from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.

“We are very excited about the new location of the Fair,” says Amy Amdur, Founder and President of her namesake firm. “Each year we try to improve our festivals and the new location ensures that Chicago’s most beloved fair will be the best ever. The new Grant Park location is larger and offers more artists the opportunity to showcase and sell their work. The public also benefits from the new location as there is ample parking at the nearby Monroe Parking Garage, plenty of nearby attractions including Millennium Park, Buckingham Fountain and the Art Institute and once at the Fair, and no busy streets to cross once at the Fair.”

Free and open to the public, the Gold Coast Art Fair will showcase the work of more than 500 juried artists compared to the 350 artists who exhibited in years past. Fairgoers will have to the opportunity to enjoy and purchase artwork in a variety of mediums including ceramics, fiber, glass, jewelry, sculpture, mixed media, paintings, drawings, photography, wood and furniture. In addition to the artwork available for purchase at the fair, many of the artists take commissions and will make one-of-a-kind pieces for art enthusiasts. Artists showcase their talents with lively art demonstrations in their booths throughout the weekend. Original works range in price from $15 to $25,000, ensuring there is something for everyone.

In addition to the work available from the juried artists, Amdur Productions will also host twenty-four students from the School of the Art Institute Chicago (SAIC). The Gold Coast Art Fair offers these young artists the opportunity to participate in one of the most well attended art festivals in the country. Recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the top three graduate art programs in the nation, SAIC has a unique educational philosophy built upon an interdisciplinary approach to art and design. 

Throughout the weekend, fairgoers will enjoy live music from local bands and musicians including French singer-songwriter Michelet Innocent, acclaimed harpist Ariane Lydon, and Chicago’s favorite acoustic rock duo Cirrus Falcon. Tasty festival fare will be available for purchase at the fair. Activities for kids including an art wall where children can help paint a mural and play art fest BINGO, also take place at the Gold Coast Art Fair. 

For more information about the free Gold Coast Art Fair or Amdur Productions Inc., please call 847.926.4300 or email [email protected]. Visit us online at www.amdurproductions.com or find us on Facebook.

Founded in 1984, Amdur Productions, Inc. is a nationally acclaimed arts festival production company that organizes and directs a selection of the Chicago area’s most prestigious and successful juried summer art festivals. Many of Amdur’s festivals are rated in Sunshine Artist Magazine‘s top 100 with half in the top 50. For more information, please visit www.amdurproductions.com.