BY BTL STAFF
BIRMINGHAM – Common Ground is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping teens, young adults and families move from crisis to hope, but help from the community is needed to bolster the organization's underfunded programs.
The community will have an opportunity to help during this year's Birmingham Street Art Fair. A silent art auction will be held to benefit Common Ground, which features artwork donated by the artists participating in the event.
"The artwork donated by the Guild Artists and Artisans truly makes this auction so special," said Heather Rae, president and CEO of Common Ground. "We value their support and encourage everyone to come out to see what they contribute this year."
Common Ground continues to work in collaboration with the Guild of Artists and Artisans a non-profit, membership association of independent artists, best known for its award-winning Ann Arbor Summer Art Fair.
"Each year I look forward to this event," said Karen Delhey, executive director of the Guild of Artists and Artisans and the event organizer. "The art is always changing and always evolving. In addition to the new artists this year, we are seeing many of the crowd's old favorites with lots of new work, with the added benefit of supporting an important organization such as Common Ground."
More than 150 juried artists will be featured, representing a diverse array of art mediums, including ceramics, painting, photography, glass, jewelry, sculpture, drawing, printmaking and more. There will also be free hands-on children's art activities at this year's event. Kids will have the chance to create their own art and take it home.
More than 80,000 people are expected to attend the weekend event from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. on Sept. 16 and from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Sept. 17.
Common Ground offers several crisis management options such as mental health and anxiety services, substance abuse disorder programs, a 24/7 resource and crisis hotline, a text and chat crisis hotline and programs for runaway homeless youth. The center served more than 82,000 people through all of its services last year.
Admission is free for the Birmingham Street Art Fair located on South Old Woodward between Maple Road and Frank Street in downtown Birmingham. For more information, visit http://www.facebook.com/BirminghamStreetArtFair/.
