UT’s Art on the Mall celebrates 21st year

Sunday: 112 artist booths, live music, and a picturesque setting

Artists and patrons enjoy Centennial Mall during The University of Toledo's Art on the Mall. COVER: An illustration representing work by glass artist Larry ‘Lars’ Mack.

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Artists and patrons enjoy Centennial Mall during The University of Toledo's Art on the Mall. COVER: An illustration representing work by glass artist Larry ‘Lars’ Mack.

With 112 artist booths, live music, and a picturesque setting, the free Art on the Mall will be 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at the University of Toledo.

A piece by ceramic artist Tom Marino.

“It’s very welcoming. You can just lay on the lawn and listen to music or stroll through the mall. It’s a beautiful overall picture surrounded by beautiful buildings,” said Ansley Abrams-Frederick, UT’s director of alumni programming.

Centennial Mall in the heart of main campus off Bancroft Street is the locus for this 21-year-old event, the biggest fund-raiser for UT’s Alumni Association.

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Sold will be lawn art, textiles, basketry, wood, and more made by people selected from a regional applicant pool of 134. Prices range from a very affordable $20 up to the four figures, said Abrams-Frederick. Returning favorites include Jenny Gorkowski-Klear (jewelry), Larry Mack (mixed media), Tom Durnford (watercolor), Kimberly Arden (jewelry), Eric Slawson (glass), Mr. Atomic/the Kersey brothers (painting), Tom Marino (pottery), and Kathy Palmer Genzman (watercolor and pen and ink).

New this year, a beer tent will sell three craft beers made by Great Lakes Brewing Co. of Cleveland. Eight vendors will sell food and snacks near an area with tables and chairs.

Music will be performed by students from the Toledo School for the Arts: 10 a.m. to noon will be the Jazz Collective with Christy Lanning; noon to 2 p.m. Afro-Caribbean Dance and Drum; and 2 to 5 p.m., Glass City Steel (steel drums).

A Mr. Atomic painting by Mark Kersey.

A children’s art activities tent will be near the center of the mall and UT students will demonstrate pottery-making.

Crowds of about 10,000 to 12,000 typically attend, depending on weather, Abrams-Frederick said.

Parking is free in Lots 1 South, 1 North, and 13, with golf-cart shuttles to Centennial Mall. Credit cards will be accepted as payment for art at a payment booth inside the Student Union.

Information: 419-530-4316.

Contact Tahree Lane at tlane@theblade.com or 419-724-6075.