What Is NANA?

Established in 2006, the New Art, New Artists (NANA) College Student Program offers Michigan college students the opportunity to sell their artwork at the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, The Original while receiving comprehensive guidance. Participation is free and artists keep 100% of their sales revenue. Selected artists enjoy equal access to amenities and mentorship from established artists, gaining valuable exposure and entrepreneurial experience. Six college artists are chosen by jury to exhibit their work at the fair, fostering artistic growth and development. Eligibility requires current enrollment at a college or university in Michigan, and is open to undergraduate and graduate students.

How Does NANA work?

The jury selected NANA artists collaborate as a cohesive team, working together to create a shared booth and providing mutual support to ensure successful sales. Our NANA college students receive personalized mentoring from the dedicated staff of the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, the Original, starting from their acceptance in April until the Fair in July. Throughout this period, our student artists actively engage in meetings where they gain valuable skills in presenting their artwork, crafting compelling Artist Statements, designing captivating art fair booths, and receiving tips on effective public interaction and art sales.

Furthermore, each student is paired with a Mentor, an experienced Art Fair Artist, who offers additional guidance and support. Many of these mentor-mentee relationships extend beyond the program's duration, blossoming into year-long partnerships that assist these aspiring artists in establishing their artistic ventures and making significant strides in their careers.

NANA 2024 Guest Mentorship with John Stanley:

John Stanley, a distinguished figure in the art museum world, provides guest mentorship for NANA's 2024 program. With a career spanning roles at institutions like the Whitney Museum of American Art, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and the Toledo Museum of Art, Stanley brings invaluable expertise to guide participants. Throughout his tenure, he oversaw numerous large-scale projects and collaborated with acclaimed architects such as Frank Gehry, Norman Foster, and Renzo Piano. His dedication to the museum field is further evidenced by his recent appointment as the newest member of the Board of Directors for the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, The Original. 

NANA 2023 Scholarship Opportunities:

The NANA program offers students the chance to exhibit at the Ann Arbor Original Street Art Fair. Laural Dugan, a 2023 participant, exemplifies its success, winning a $5000 cash prize. Her work, inspired by the BMW XM hybrid crossover and the Aperol Spritz, showcases the talent fostered within NANA, encouraging aspiring artists to apply and showcase their creativity.

 

Inspired by the innovative BMW XM hybrid crossover, Laural's analog/digital painting seamlessly melds elements of vintage poster designs and the renowned Italian cocktail, the Aperol Spritz. Her work stood out amongst a pool of talented artists featured in the Fair's 2023 New Art, New Artists programs.

Join us in commending Laura's exceptional achievement, which underscores the caliber of talent fostered within the NANA program. 

 

 NANA Fast Facts! 

1. Fair Dates: 7/18/24 - 7/20/24 

2. Application Open: 01/1/24 - 3/31/24 - via ZAPPlication.org 

3. Participation is FREE no charge to NANA artists

4. Keep 100% of your earnings

5. Open to all Michigan Graduate & Undergraduate Students

6. Professional Artist Mentors

7. Lunch with Guest Mentor John Stanely, a distinguished figure in the art museum world with a career spanning roles at institutions like the Whitney Museum of American Art, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and the Toledo Museum of Art

8. Step by Step Guidance form A2SAF Staff

9. Held on the beautiful Streets of Ann Arbor Michigan and tree lined central campus of the University of Michigan, at the foot of the iconic Burton Tower 

10. Over $2.2 Million in annual Artist Sales 

11. Showcasing All Original Art for 65 years in the largest Outdoor Juried Art Fair in the USA 

12. Marketing Reach: In 2023 our joint National TV Audience was 3.5 Million, Radio Audience reached 8.7 million listeners, Print and Online viewership was over 156 Million 9. 100% Non Profit Art Fair: home to the beloved New Art New Artists/NANA Program, The Youth Art Fair, Fountain Stage, The Art Activity Zone, Demo Zone partnering with the Toledo Museum of Art, DIA, UM Museum, A2 Potters Guild, Clay Work Studio, The Be Creative Studio… 

13. Buyers Tour and Lunch - Bringing 100 Influencers, Corporate Buyers, Patrons, Gallery Owners, Architects and Designers directly to your booth to purchase and promote you. 

14. Bell Tower Hotel Artist Reception - Meet and mingle with fellow Artists, Dedicated Patrons, Donors, Jurors and Board Members. 

15. Complimentary Continental Breakfast, refreshments, ice, water and coffee throughout the day in our Artist Hospitality Tent. 

16. Beautiful Air conditioned indoor restrooms with running water in the center of our site at the Michigan League 

17. Dedicated team of 150 Volunteers to happily booth sit and deliver water directly to your booth. 

18. Complimentary Lunch and Gelato in Artists Hospitality on the final day of the fair!

19. In-depth Artist Directory on the fair’s website www.artfair.org with links to your social media pages and your website for virtual shopping year round. Robust social media presence, with each artist receiving a spotlight post. 

20. Electricity INCLUDED

21. Streamlined Teardown, Set up and Parking with 24 Hour Security. 

22. Artist Housing Referral Program connecting local homeowners and participants with housing options for a seamless event experience.

2023 NANA Participants

Laurel Dugan 

My work focuses on the experience of American life in the twenty-first century. I am drawn to the poignant and absurd in modern life. I hope viewers of my work can relate to the portrayal of human experiences and find the mysterious intersection where lament meets hope. I paint this intersection by showing figures in the moments that make us most human.

Kendall College of Art & Design of Ferris State University

Painting

 

Sophia Gallette

 

"My work as a jewelry designer focuses on contemporary and unique styles that are worn on the body. Throughout my work, I strive to create interesting and fashionable wearables using precious metals, stones, sustainable materials and found objects. Nature has always been a core inspiration to my work. Living in Michigan, I am surrounded by the changing seasons. Our environment constantly changes in beautiful and unique ways, always allowing my inspiration to evolve with the seasons. I began making jewelry eight years ago, during my freshman year of high school. In addition to my studies at The University of Michigan, I have studied jewelry design at Central Saint Martins, University of Arts London."

 

 

University of Michigan-STAMPS

Jewelry

 

Emily Mann

My work and creative interests often revolve around themes of spaces and environments to explore emotions such as fear, trepidation, and simultaneously, curiosity and exploration. I like to juxtapose geometric and/or symmetrical forms with organic elements based on nature.

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Printmaking

 

 

David Reyes

Over the past three years photography has given me the ability to share my perspective with the world around me. As a transfer student from Los Angeles, taking photos has helped me learn the environment around me and share my thoughts with those closest to me. I love capturing the everyday moments that would otherwise pass by.

Eastern Michigan University

Photography

 

 Katherine Savelle

My photography has historically revolved around things I find beautiful and wish to share. My images are not manipulated except for slight color correction, which adds an element of authenticity to my scenes. My goal is to create pleasing compositions that viewers can enjoy again and again.

 

College for Creative Studies

Photography

Joey Siep

Wheel thrown ceramics focusing on refinement of form.

Michigan State University

Ceramics

 

 

Several of our NANA artists have gone on to become professional art fair artists. 

Look where they are now!

NANA artists from every year have gone on to have extremely successful careers in the Arts! We are so honored to have been part of these young artists paths.

 

 

Amber Harrison

Artist, Craftsman, Designer, Sculptor, Jeweler

amberdharrison.com

"I was lucky enough to be part of the New Art, New Artist group right after graduation from the University of Michigan, School of Art and Design. The AASAF was the launching pad that helped my fine arts career begin. I gained access to mentors, resources, and an education in a field that doesn’t have many open doors. Because of the experience with AASAF I exhibited at the Philadelphia Museum of Art Contemporary Craft Show in 2014. I am proud and so happy to be part of the AASAF because of their standards in selection of talent and quality in the work that is displayed every year. The group of artists that frequent the AASAF, who I get to now call my friends, are truly some of the best in the country, and the reason I keep coming back!"

 

Jake Blok

jblokstudios.com

After participating in the New Art, New Artist program, Jake applied to the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, the Original and was accepted his first year.  Jake has successfully participated each year since and has grown his furniture business.

 

Taylor Mazer

taylordraws.com

Taylor Mazer graduated Kendall College of Art and Design in 2012 with a BFA in illustration and has gone on to win various awards such as Best of Show at the Rockford Art Museum Greenwich Village Art Fair and Best in Show and the Mayor’s Award at the Penrod Arts Fair.

 

Tefari Stevenson-Howard

photographybytafari.com

Tefari has stayed in the Ann Arbor Area and currently runs a photography studio in Ypsilanti, Michigan.

 

 

Ruth Marks

Non-profit Housing Executive Assistant, Artist, Founding Director of FLY Children’s Art Center

ruthmarks.com

"I really really loved being in the Emerging artists group at the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair. It was an amazing way to learn the skills needed to run my own booth the following year as an actual artist in the same fair. I learned how to interact with guests in the booth and I got to meet other artists participating in the fair. My current career does not really reflect my experience in the fair, however, I am still very grateful for my experience as an Emerging Artist."

 

Austen Brantley

austenbrantleysculpture.com

Austen has continued to create and has had his art displayed at Grand Rapids City Hall and the Charles H. Wright museum. He continues to show in gallery exhibitions and art fairs around Michigan.

 

Janelle Songer

janellesonger.com

Janelle graduated from the College for Creative Studies in 2008 with a Bachelor of Fine Art. She continues to attend various art fairs and has her work for sale in a number of different galleries.

 

 

Sophia Zhou

www.sophiaazhou.com

Sophia has a background in architecture and graphic design and currently specializes in fine art photography and mixed media artwork, which she sells on her etsy shop. She also was a part of PowerArt! in 2015, an Ann Arbor program to cover traffic signal utility boxes with artwork created by the participants.

 

Alex Jacque

Designer

alexjacque.com

"So far in my career I’ve worn many hats, and currently my title is simply "Designer." More specifically though I’m a Product Designer. Generally, that means that I design interfaces and user flows for apps. While I didn’t launch into a fine arts career, and while the art fair circuit isn’t necessarily for me, AASAF helped me realize that I still do quite enjoy making, talking about, and selling my work in a capacity other than as just a freelance designer. There’s something really enjoyable about seeing someone use or appreciate something that I’ve produced—be it photograph, typeface, app, or screen print—and AASAF was where I got that first taste."