Art on the Mall, an iconic tradition for more than 20 years at The University of Toledo, returns Sunday, July 28.

The free, public event takes place 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Centennial Mall on UT’s Main Campus where more than 112 booths will feature unique works of acrylic, glass, jewelry, mixed media, oil, photography, pottery, textiles, basketry, watercolor, wood and more.

Throughout the day, guests can enjoy not only works of art but also music, live pottery demonstrations, children’s activities, food and new this year — a beer garden. Guests who are 21 and older with a valid ID can buy three types of beer from Great Lakes Brewing Company.

“We have some folks who have been with us for a long time and we also have some new artists, which is great,” said Ansley Abrams-Frederick, director of alumni programming in the Office of Alumni Relations. “It’s exciting to see some work that you haven’t seen before.”

Artwork will be for sale at each booth and for customers who don’t typically carry cash, credit cards can be used at a payment booth set up inside the Student Union.

Artists have the chance to win awards including first, second and third place prizes. UT’s Best of Show is the highest award and goes to the best artist with an affiliation to the University — current students, faculty, staff, retirees, alumni and parents are eligible.

Throughout the day, the UT Ceramics Department will have pottery demonstrations near its booth where guests can watch them work and ask questions. There also will be stations for children to create their own art and take it home or get their faces painted.

Guests will be entertained by music throughout the day with performances from the Toledo School for the Arts; the Jazz Collective with Christy Lanning from 10 a.m. to noon, Afro-Caribbean Dance and Drum from noon to 2 p.m. and Glass City Steel from 2 to 5 p.m.

Food vendors will be open all day including previous years’ favorites: Karen Anne’s Kettle Corn, Opa! Gyros, Everhart SnoBiz, Maui Wowi, K & K Concessions and Let’s Go Nuts. Two new booths will join the event this year: Asia Fusion Elite and Jeanie’s Weenies.

Parking is free for guests in Lot 1 South, Lot 1 North and Lot 13 with free shuttles provided for rides to and from Centennial Mall that also can help transport large purchases if needed.

This year’s presenting sponsor is The Blade; other sponsors include ProMedica, Buckeye CableSystem, Toledo 5 The CW, WGTE Public Media, Great Lakes Brewing Company, Mail It! and Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority, Clear Channel Communications and Homewood Press.

Media Coverage
The Blade (July 18, 2013)
The Blade (July 24, 2013)
The Blade (July 26, 2013)
The Blade (July 29, 2013)
WTOL 11 and WNWO (July 29, 2013)
WTOL 11 and 13 ABC (July 29, 2013)
The Independent Collegian (July 31, 2013)