Finding Community at the Sunday Kerrytown Artisan Market
A U-M student explores artwork and handmade goods during an Arts Initiative Art Meetup to the Sunday Artisan Market in Ann Arbor's Kerrytown district.
On Sunday mornings, Ann Arbor’s Kerrytown district transforms into a walking art gallery.
Beneath the pavilion that hosts the Saturday Farmers Market, local artists gather each week from April through December to share their work with the community. Handmade jewelry glints in the sunlight, colorful paintings line vendor booths, and the sound of live music drifts through the aisles as visitors wander from table to table.
For students participating in the Arts Initiative's Art Meetups program, a visit to the Sunday Artisan Market offers more than a chance to browse local art. It’s an opportunity to explore a different corner of Ann Arbor, meet local artists, and connect with fellow University of Michigan students through a shared creative experience.
As students make their way through the market, many pause to listen to musician and guitar maker Mike (pictured below), whose handcrafted instruments and live performances have been a fixture of the Kerrytown Artisan Market for nearly a decade now.
"What I like about this market is that it's an easy, low-barrier way to get your art out," Mike said.
Unlike selling work online, the market allows artisans to interact directly with the community who purchase and engage with their creations. Conversations spark between strangers, stories are exchanged, and artwork becomes a catalyst for connection.
That sense of connection is what has kept local jewelry artist Katherine returning to the market for more than 18 years. For her, the creative process doesn't end when a piece leaves the studio.
"The art comes to life when a person tries it on," Katherine says.
From handcrafted jewelry and photography to live music and handmade instruments, the market offers opportunities to connect with local artists and experience the Ann Arbor’s vibrant creative community just beyond U-M’s Ann Arbor campus.
Artists and visitors alike create an atmosphere that feels distinctly communal. At the Artisan Market, people of different ages, backgrounds, and cultures gather in a shared, central space.
This visit was organized through Art Meetups, a program that introduces U-M students to local arts experiences both on and off campus. Led by Arts Initiative Program Assistants Bella Orelowitz and Lana Oeschger, the program helps students discover artistic opportunities they might not otherwise encounter.
With so many exhibitions, performances, workshops, and creative events happening throughout Ann Arbor, finding a place to start exploring can feel overwhelming. Art Meetups offers a way in.
"It's a chance to see a new neighborhood and get off campus," Oeschger, Student Engagement Program Assistant, said.
Whether students are longtime artists or simply curious about the creative community around them while at the university, the program encourages exploration while fostering new connections. Participants often attend events with people they have never met before, creating new opportunities for friendships and fostering conversations that extend beyond the experience itself.
Art Meetups are ultimately about more than attending arts events. They invite students to engage with the broader creative ecosystem of Ann Arbor and discover how art can bring people together.
From browsing artisan markets and visiting galleries to attending performances and making art of their own, students can explore new creative experiences while building a sense of belonging—both on campus and beyond.
