Art on the Rocks and the OutBack Art Fair are typically held on the same late July weekend in Marquette, the former held at Mattson Lower Harbor Park and the latter at Shiras Park near Picnic Rocks.

Both were canceled in 2020, and while the OutBack Art Fair made its full-scale return over the weekend, Art on the Rocks was once again canceled in May due to the uncertainty surrounding COVID-19 at the time and was replaced with Art on the Blocks, a smaller-scale event.

While the planning and logistics of hosting the OutBack Art Fair — which was held Saturday and Sunday — were complex amid the COVID-19 era, the “turnout has been awesome” for the annual art event, Cindy Engle, Outback Art Fair director of operations, said.

The fair featured a wide range of vendors, with many artistic mediums represented at the event.

Outback Art Fair volunteer Haile Engle, left, stands with her grandmother, Cindy Engle, Outback Art Fair director of operations, at a booth featuring artwork, Outback Art Fair T-shirts, and more on Sunday. (Journal photo by Katie Segula)

Patrons could browse and purchase jewelry, yard sculptures and metal art, paintings, photographs, clothing, fiber arts, handmade wooden items, pottery, food and much more.

The pandemic era meant fewer vendors than usual for the art fair, but organizers said they were grateful the event was able to return this summer.

“It’s been really nice to get back into it and have everybody come back and they are excited to be back,” Haile Engle, Outback Art Fair volunteer, said.

Art on the Blocks, a smaller-scale event that was held Saturday at the Lakeshore Park Building across from McCarty’s Cove, stemmed from a pandemic adaptation mindset, as when restrictions were eased, organizers improvised and came up with the idea for the free event.

The event, hosted by Graci Gallery, Lakeshore Depot and the city of Marquette Arts and Culture Center, featured nearly 20 art vendors, food vendors, live music and more.

Tiina Morin, manager of the Marquette Arts and Culture Center, said the small-scale event was a low-risk alternative to Art on the Rocks, which generally carries a large financial commitment far in advance.

“We weren’t sure what the guidelines for COVID were going to be, and it’s a big investment just like with Hiawatha (Traditional Music Festival),” she said. “These large-investment festivals, they take on a lot of risk. During COVID, it was a hard decision for those (Art on the Rocks) directors to make that call, so we were really happy that (Graci Gallery co-owner) Joe Graci put together this small art show.”

The show featured something for everyone, with vendors selling wood creations, ceramics, paintings, jewelry, photography, mixed media and more. Between perusing the art booths, attendees could drop into Lakeshore Depot for a snack or beverage and catch some live music nearby.

For those who missed the event, organizers have another show in store this fall, with Art on the Mountain to be held Sept. 11-12 at Marquette Mountain.

“Art on the Rocks is happy to say that they are going to do a replacement show to help those artists that lost revenue during COVID,” Morin said. “We’re working with the new owners of Marquette Mountain to do this show, it’s going to be in conjunction with the city’s annual art awards, so we really want to make sure artists have lots of opportunities throughout the rest of the year to sell their work.

“Art on the Mountain I think is going to be a nice addition to our festival lineup and it might happen annually.”

Art events on tap for the remainder of the year include the Chocolay Bayou Preserve Art Walk from Aug. 20-22 to benefit the Upper Peninsula Land Conservancy; Art on the Mountain from Sept. 11-12; the Holiday Art Sale at the Marquette Regional History Center on Nov. 13; and First Thursdays Art Strolls on Aug. 5, Sept. 2 and Oct. 7.

“Graci Gallery also works with the city to put on First Thursdays Art Strolls,” Morin said. “He’s been a really amazing advocate for artists in our community, especially fine artists who make their living solely making art, and that’s what’s on display (today) at Art on the Blocks, artists who are nationally recognized here.

“We’re really lucky here in Marquette to have this many artists. I’m really glad (today) is happening and there are numerous other art shows that are happening.”

Morin said OutBack has also been successful in its full-scale return.

“OutBack has really been successful and I’m really glad that they’re happening this year,” she said. “This is nice to have between Picnic Rocks and McCarty’s Cove, having art shows on either side is lovely.”

Morin added that Art on the Blocks was also a chance to showcase the Lakeshore Park building.

“This is also really about the eclectic nature of the Lakeshore building here,” she said. “There’s lots of art galleries here that people now are more aware of because of this show, and also food is really important to arts and culture.

“… So I think it’s a really great marriage here of local galleries that people should stop by and see throughout the year, not just (today), but these are studios that are open year-round, and also the grocer (Lakeshore Depot) on the other side. A real eclectic, exciting thing is happening here at the Lakeshore building, and I’m really glad to be a part of it.”

To find out more about local art events put on by the Arts and Culture Center, visit www.mqtcompass.com.

Graci Gallery is located at 555 E. Michigan St. and is open Thursdays from noon to 4 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., or Sundays through Wednesdays by appointment. For more information, visit www.gracigallery.com or call 920-931-4248.

Lakeshore Depot is located at 560 Fern Place in Marquette and is open 7 days a week from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. For more information, visit www.lakeshoredepot.com.

Ryan Spitza can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 248. His email address is rspitza@miningjournal.net.

Katie Segula can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 242. Her email address is ksegula@miningjournal.net.