From fine arts to photography, the Salem Art Fair & Festival brings the work of 180 artists from across the country to one convenient, picturesque location. Whether it’s your annual tradition or you’re in search of something delightfully unexpected, this three-day event is built for exploration. There’s also a nonstop lineup of live music and entertainment, plus a beer and wine garden, food and drink booths, kids’ activities, and plenty of other opportunities to get distracted.

Now, it’s time to choose your adventure.

1. You made it through the gate

Congratulations. Now what?

You immediately head for the artist booths.
Go to 2.

You hear music and follow it.
Go to 3.

Your tummy rumbles.
Go to 4.

You brought children. They’ve made the decision for you.
Go to 5.

2. You came for the art

Hello, art!

The online directory includes 180 exhibitors across 16 artist categories, all waiting for your exploration. You just need to pick a direction.

Where do you start?

Keep it local. Show me some Salem artists.
Go to 6.

I want weird, tiny, or made from unexpected materials.
Go to 7.

Just browsing…
Go to 8.

3. You followed the music

Entertainment could fill your whole day if you let it.

Friday’s lineup starts with a dance performance by Céilí of the Valley, then features The Hypnatwists, Rich Swanger, Drive To Space, and The Severin Sisters before award-winning blues musician Joel Astley takes the stage at 7:30 p.m.

Céilí of the Valley returns to kick off Saturday’s entertainment, followed by the rhythmic footsteps of Cherry City Cloggers. Then you can hear Ventus Woodwind Quintet (classical), Mr. Ladybug (pop punk), Ida Jane & The Weekend Gardeners (indie folk rock), and Rich McCloud Band (hip-hop and soul). Starting at 7:30 p.m., That Other Band will close out the night with some funk, R&B, and soul.

Sunday’s toe-tapping brings Cherry City Cloggers back to the stage, followed by music by Lip Service (female-fronted cover band), Flamencas Silvestres (Flamenco voice, guitar and dance), and James Howard Trio (blues rock). Wrapping up the weekend is Son de Cuba playing Latin tunes from 4 to 5 p.m.

Suddenly, you remember this is an art fair.
Head to 2.

You decide lunch is the priority now.
Go to 4.

The entertainment has captured your soul. You remain seated and accept your fate.

THE END

You attended the Salem Music Fair. It was lovely.

4. You chose food

Art Fair has a variety of food and drink vendors serving up savory, sweet, and sippable.

Will it be fish and chips from Fitts Seafood? Or skewers and salad rolls from Hap Restaurant? Maybe you want a gyro or falafel from La Jitana? Or how about vegan (our fav) or carne paella from Paella Del Zorro?

Tame your rumbling tummy. Quench your thirst. Eating gives you the energy to make more decisions. So, what’s next?

Walk it off among the art booths.
Wander to 2.

The children are with you, and they have spotted Kids’ Court.
Jump to 5.

You find a place to sit near the music and do not move again.
Head to 3.

5. The children are in charge

Head toward the northwest corner of the fairgrounds, where, adjacent to Bush Barn Art Center, you will find the Kids’ Court. It has free activities (and entertainment) throughout the weekend. Create nature prints. Make buttons. Check out the instrument petting zoo. There will also be a three-foot-tall cardboard maze filled with artwork and hidden squirrels.

If you go Saturday morning, the Children’s Parade begins at 10 a.m. (line-up starts at 9:30). Kids participating in the parade and an accompanying adult receive free admission.

Your child enters the maze.

They emerge and immediately want to make something.
Remain at 5. You live here now.

They emerge hungry.
Munch on 4.

They emerge ready to look at grown-up art.
Go to 6.

6. Keep it Salem

Fourteen exhibitors in this year’s online directory are from Salem, so you can build an entire Art Fair route around hometown artists.

Start with Leah Borden at B8, one of this year’s Emerging Artists. Leah combines watercolor techniques with digital processing to create colorful abstract work.

At A20, Armitage wINKs uses scratchboard and ink on clay-board. The drawing category has just two exhibitors this year, making it one of the shortest stops on your tour.

Salem painter Samuel Hoskins is at E21. He returns after winning Best 2D Painting at the 2024 Art Fair.

Plenty more Salem artists are scattered throughout the fair, giving you another choice.

Continue your Salem-only mission.
You have 11 more to find.

Abandon all geographical loyalty and look for something unusual.
Go to 7.

Something catches your eye, and you begin considering a purchase.
Go to 8.

7. You chose the unusual route

This is a good choice. Eugene artist Jaimee Lee of Paintings for Hummingbirds paints miniature watercolors, measuring about one inch, using 18/0 brushes on hot-pressed paper, which you will find at B6.

Check out MidCentury Records, coming here from Minnesota, at H2, for new things made from old damaged records, thrifted items, and reclaimed building materials.

Visit some Emerging Artists. See A Curiosity of Colors at A18, where Wendy Edgar Viola weaves with wool, silk, cotton, and yak. Yes, yak. Visit G7 to see SMJ Photo, who creates mixed-media landscape and nature photography printed on recycled paper made by hand. And at F23, emerging artist Erin Thornbrue mixes oil and cold wax with collage, assemblage, and recycled materials.

Then find artist Eric Tautkus, who will spend the weekend creating an 8-by-12-foot floral mural with spray paint. Since the piece is being made during the fair, this is one stop worth making twice.
You are now properly distracted.

Find more art.
Return to 2.

Is it time to re-caffeinate or savor a snack?
Go to 4.

You have found something you want.
Go to 8.

8. You were “just browsing”

The Salem Art Fair is a wonderful opportunity to wander, surrounded by creativity. (There are 30 jewelry exhibitors alone.) You could start at one end and work your way to the other. Or venture from the outside and work your way in.

But what about that something that catches your eye?

Admire, but resist and walk away.
Return to 2.

Tell yourself you’ll come back later.
Go to 9.

Buy the art.
Go to 10.

9. You’ll come back later

A classic Art Fair strategy.

You continue wandering. Twenty minutes pass.

You would now very much like to purchase the eye-catching thing you saw earlier…but there is one problem. You cannot remember the artist’s name, booth number, or aisle. You attempt to retrace your steps. Everything looks vaguely familiar. You leave the 2026 Salem Art Fair empty-handed, with the nagging feeling something is missing.

THE END

Next year, take a picture of the booth number.

10. You bought the art

Congratulations! You found something you love, supported the person who made it, and are taking home your own little special piece of the Salem Art Fair.

You may now continue carrying your purchase around the park like a trophy. It really does deserve a little victory lap.

THE END

Salem Art Fair & Festival runs 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sep 11-12 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sep 13 at Bush’s Pasture Park. Artist booths close at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Daily admission is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and veterans, and $5 for teens. Kids 12 and younger are free. OHP and SNAP beneficiaries also receive free admission with their card. Learn more at salemartfair.org

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Author: The Instigator