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East Lansing Art Festival is underway

Posted at 9:33 AM, May 22, 2016
and last updated 2016-05-22 15:17:04-04

Thousands of people travel to East Lansing each year to celebrate the beginning of summer with the city's art festival.

Roads are closed but not a lot of people are complaining.

That's because music is playing and tents are up for East Lansing's 53rd art festival.

"We're traditionally one of the first festivals of the festival season in Mid-Michigan," said Michelle Carlson, festival director. "I think people are ready to be outside and enjoy great music, great food."

People from across Michigan and the country come out to soak in the sun and display their work.

One of those is Sarena Mann, "there's still a lot of people who are interested in art and buying here and that's why we came here and it's suppose to be a really great show" Mann said,

For artists like Sarena Mann selling each piece of her work is the only way she can make a living.

That's why she made the trip from New Mexico to be face-to-face with potential customers.

"I think half of it is coming out and meeting new people and having new business," she sad. "It also introduces us to to people who haven't seen my work."

Not only is it important for her to get new customers but she also works to introduces it to a new generation.

"I've been doing it for 40 years, but you know, we need new people to keep the business young and fresh" Mann explains.

Some of the ways organizers have brought in a younger audience is by having a wide variety of works displayed.

"You can find pottery, painting, drawing, glass making, print work, ceramics" Carlson explains.

Those options make it easier for families to let their kids love for art to continue to flourish.

"We have a great children's hands on art activity area that is going to let kids make art and take it home" said Carlson.

Activities that can possibly lead them to selling their own work.