‘ONE OF A KIND’
Thousands expected for Art of Fire event showcasing elemental works from area artists
More than 75 artists are set to take part in the upcoming Art of Fire — Clay, Glass and Metal show organized by the Royal Oak Chamber of Commerce.
Local and out-of-state artists in clay, glass and metal show and offer their works for sale.
The Art of Fire show is the only juried art fair that exclusively features items made from Earth elements and crafted with heat.
The two-day weekend event is from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.. Saturday, June 10, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 12, and takes place in the city parking lot on the west side of Main Street between Sixth and Seventh streets.
Up to 10,000 people typically turn out over the weekend for the art fair, which is now in its 27th year, said Shelly Kemp, executive director of the Chamber of Commerce.
The annual art fair was canceled in 2020 because of the pandemic, and last year’s event had fewer artists so organizers and attendees could have some social distancing.
But the art fair is coming back to its full strength when it returns next month.
“We’ve added back some of our usual activities so that people who come can make their own art,” Kemp said. “It brings a lot of people to the downtown.”
There are five different hands-on activities that attendees can take part in with artists if they register at ArtofFireRO.com.
Among them are glazing a pre-fired ceramic piece with their choice of colors and patterns; making a metal bracelet of copper or silver; and working with a stained-glass artist to create a small window ornament.
People can also do metal casting. They select a blank tile and carve into it to create a three dimensional image. Hot aluminum is then poured into the carved tile to make a metal tile.
Finally, attendees can use a special flame torch to melt glass rods to form a small shaped glass bead.
“Artists help people and it’s another neat way to see how things are made,” Kemp said.
Some artists at the show will do demonstrations of clay
wheel work and flameworking glass.
Heather Zeller, director of events for the Chamber of Commerce said the show is a great family event where people can introduce their children into the art.
“It’s a one-of-a-kind art show where you’ll find the most unique and functional art made from the earth using fire,” Zeller said. “You can watch the art being made and even take your turn creating unique art of your own.”
Artists from Royal Oak, Madison Heights and other cities are joined by others who come from from as far as Arizona, Florida and Kentucky.
“Because this is a juried art show the quality of the artwork is high,” Kemp said. “We are very careful to make sure that the art being displayed and sold is all handmade by the artists and not bought and brought in from other countries.”
The most commonly purchased items at the show are usually ceramic and clay works, but Kemp said there is also a wide range of handmade jewelry and metal works, from decorative pieces and wall hangings to garden art.