The Art Of August

10 exhibits, shows, and fairs around NoMi

By Rachel Pasche | July 25, 2026

August in northern Michigan offers less hectic activity and more time to relax and soak up the beauty of late summer. Take a moment to slow down at one of the upcoming art exhibits, shows, and fairs that pop up across the area in August. Explore 10 of them below.

EXHIBITS

1. Ikebana Pop-Up Exhibit, Dennos Museum Center
Aug. 8–9
Ikebana is the traditional Japanese art of flower arranging, a centuries-old art form that uses specific flora, greenery, and blossoms to evoke certain emotions within the observer. The term for the practice loosely translates to, “making flowers come alive.” The Dennos Museum Center is hosting Traverse City’s local Ikebana International chapter for the third year, inviting visitors to come enjoy unique and thoughtfully assembled floral arrangements in the sculpture court. Tickets aren’t necessary—just pay for admission at the front desk. 

2. Finding Beauty & Light: A Gayle Kabaker Exhibit, Old Art Building in Leland
Aug. 8–16
Gayle Kabaker began her career as a freelance fashion illustrator after graduating from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. Her work has been featured on covers of The New Yorker, in an illustrated column for The Washington Post, and in a short film in collaboration with Conde Nast and The New Yorker. Her exhibition in Leland focuses on the beauty in everyday moments, weaving water, light, and landscape through the featured works. Several paintings feature Leland, showcasing scenes of coastal life. 

3. Poetic Visions Of Port Oneida, Glen Arbor Arts Center
April 30–Aug. 27
This exhibit’s focus is the iconic farmsteads of the Port Oneida district in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. The show features a series of eight oil paintings of the farmsteads reimagined by artist Wendy McWhorter, each accompanied by a poem composed by McWhorter. The paintings include details the artist added in her reimaginings, including slices of lakeshore close to the farmsteads, flowering trees, and flower gardens that add vibrant color and texture to the pieces.

4. In Motion: Making Art Dance, CTAC Petoskey
May 22–September 5 
This summer-long exhibit at the Crooked Tree Arts Center of Petoskey is a juried show of pieces inspired by movement. All submissions are visual art pieces that explore ideas such as how artists show the energy of moving bodies, how they use materials to express truths or ideas creatively, and how they make artwork feel alive. The exhibit is juried by Peter Sparling, a former principal dancer with the Martha Graham Dance Company. 

ART SHOWS & FAIRS

5. Suttons Bay Art Festival, Suttons Bay Marina Park
Aug. 1–2
Featuring more than 100 artists, community groups, the local library book sale, food vendors, and a children’s area, this lakefront art festival is the perfect weekend activity. Funds from the festival are distributed back into the arts community, going toward things like art scholarships and residence programs for students, dance and music performances, and arts education programs. 

6. Charlevoix Waterfront Art Fair, East Park
Aug. 8
Tons of white tented art booths dot the harbor on Round Lake at the Charlevoix Waterfront Art Fair. With a variety of artworks ranging from fiber arts, jewelry, paintings, photography, ceramics, lawn ornaments, and more, there’s something for everyone here. This is the second-oldest juried art fair in Michigan, with a history that dates back 66 years. 

7. Frankfort Art Fair, Market Square Park
Aug. 15–16
Celebrating its 50th year, the Frankfort Art Fair is not to be missed. This juried art fair features over 100 fine art vendors displaying an array of art across mediums. Stroll through the open air booths and peruse the selection of fine art, which includes pottery, jewelry, sculptures, textiles, paintings, and more. 

8. Clothesline Art Show and Sale, Leland Old Art Building
Aug. 19
Pieces from Leland’s Plein Air Art Show will be on display and for sale at the sixth annual Clothesline Art Show. These artists have held weekly meetings since May, painting iconic locations around northern Michigan with an emphasis on Leelanau County. Artists will be onsite giving demonstrations in open air painting and answering questions on their work and process. Visitors are sure to recognize some of the locations depicted in the paintings! Note: The rain date for the show is Aug. 26.

9. Mackinaw City Arts and Crafts Show, Conkling Heritage Park
Aug. 29–30 
Find that new piece for your home or the perfect gift at the Mackinaw City Arts and Crafts Show. Featuring work from a variety of local artists and other artists from across the state, this show includes a variety of artworks including woodwork, jewelry, clothing, books, photography, paintings, decor, and even homemade food. Stick around after the show on Saturday to watch the Mackinaw City fireworks at 10pm. 

10. Summer Salon Art Exhibit and Sale, Charlevoix Circle of Arts
June 28–Aug. 31
Part art exhibit and part sale, the Summer Salon is an evolving art show held at the Charlevoix Circle of Arts. As items from the gallery sell, artists will be replacing them with other works from their collection, so the exhibit will feature a selection of pieces that’s always updating throughout the summer. The art on display is done by local artists from the region, featuring mediums including photography, ceramics, fiber art, jewelry, and paintings, many inspired by the beauty of the area.